Welcome to the Cresco Public Library.
Cresco's Public Library represents northeast Iowa's only (and 1 of only 2509 in the world)
Carnegie Library.
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. A total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems. 1,689 were built in the United States, 660 in Britain and Ireland, 125 in Canada, and others in Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, the Caribbean, Mauritius and Fiji.
At first, Carnegie libraries were almost exclusively in places where he had a personal connection. This would be Scotland and the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Yet this would change in 1899.
Cresco's Library was dedicated February 10, 1915, this building by local architect J.H. Howe is unusual among Carnegie libraries for resulting from a community grant—Cresco joined with six additional townships to receive its grant.
To find this cache, you will need to visit the Library.
Please note the hours of operation:
I would like to thank Carmen Buss, Library Director, for granting me permission to have this cache at the Cresco Library.