Carnegie Library

Location: Corner of 10th and Conner Streets

Date Built: 1913

History of the Building:

Through the dedicated efforts of librarian Lulu Miesse, local women's groups were organized in 1911 to petition the Noblesville City Council to fund a building site for a new library.  Finished and dedicated in 1913, the Noblesville Public Library was one of 1,688 public libraries constructed from an endowment received from the Andrew Carnegie "free library" program.  Seven years after the library opened, Miss Miesse once again used her motivating powers to further expand the library service by starting a "book wagon" traveling program to patrons living outside of Noblesville Township.  Library director for 38 years, Lulu Miesse's innovative concept of incorporating a library system onto a Dodge Brothers Commercial Car gained national recognition.  In a 1921 letter to the Dodge Brothers Company, Lulu wrote, "It is the most interesting library work we have ever done and we hope all of Indiana may have similar service in the near future."

In 1971, the library expanded its facility with a yellow brick addition keeping the original Mission-style brick exterior and green tile roof intact and remained a library until 1987 when it became Noblesville City Hall.

Current Use: Noblesville City Hall