Carnegie Public Library

Carnegie Public Library is a structure built from white brick and local sandstone with Neoclassical design elements in downtown Boise. The building features clean lines and balanced proportions typical of early 1900s civic architecture.

The structure was built between 1904 and 1905 as part of Andrew Carnegie's program to establish free libraries across America. It served Boise as the main library until operations moved to a new location in 1973.

The building represents the early 20th-century belief that public libraries should serve everyone in the community. Its design reflects how important education and shared knowledge were valued during that era.

The building is located on West Washington Street in downtown Boise and is easy to find. Visitors should know it currently functions as private artist studio space, so access may be limited compared to a public facility.

Local architects Tourtellotte and Hummel deliberately selected regional materials and design details that set this building apart from other libraries of its era. This distinctive approach led to its recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Location: Boise

Address: 815 West Washington Street

GPS coordinates: 43.61944,-116.19944

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:43