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10. Really? 60 years later we are lamenting this?

Thu Jan 1, 2015, 05:56 PM

Jan 2015

Certainly it was a nice library for say, 1874 (when it was built). I wouldn't call it the "most beautiful library in America" (that would be Mrs. 'Droid's library). In 1955 that quaint bit of building was nearing the end of it's usability, especially with a growing population in the city.

The current structure is also beautiful, thank you very much.

This sentimentality 60 years after the city replaced their aging library seems contrived at best.

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Seriously though, how did the Most Beautiful Library in America get Demolished? [View all] ashling Jan 2015 OP

I would've loved to live there. Urban renewal destroyed a lot of beautiful libraries uppityperson Jan 2015 #1

Along with post offices, subway stations, old-style banks, etc... Blue_Tires Jan 2015 #53

This is what replaced it. rug Jan 2015 #2

Actually, no Android3.14 Jan 2015 #11

It's the building that replced the library building. rug Jan 2015 #12

What happened to the books? HipChick Jan 2015 #3

Knowledge lost...I'm bettin' not all made the move. Lars39 Jan 2015 #23

Americans have little reverence for architectural history. Throd Jan 2015 #4

Then there's the Detroit Train Station eggplant Jan 2015 #13

Washington DC's Union Station looked a lot like that SheilaT Jan 2015 #14

That is the East Grand Boulevard Methodist Church... demmiblue Jan 2015 #20

Not always. progressoid Jan 2015 #31

The worship of Mammon strikes again. WinkyDink Jan 2015 #5

Whoa... SoapBox Jan 2015 #6

What a gorgeous library! Too bad but at least there are pics. mackerel Jan 2015 #7

That's a shame. Mr.Bill Jan 2015 #8

Gorgeous library, but as a library worker, I want to note intheflow Jan 2015 #9

^^^^ mopinko Jan 2015 #17

I hope that the beautiful old Carnegie library can stay where it is marzipanni Jan 2015 #32

I hope all those books made it to other libraries' shelves ailsagirl Jan 2015 #35

Yep. GoCubsGo Jan 2015 #27

Really? 60 years later we are lamenting this? Android3.14 Jan 2015 #10

I was likewise wondering about the actual SheilaT Jan 2015 #15

The weight of all those books probably buckled the floors! femmocrat Jan 2015 #16

I wasn't "lamenting" anything ashling Jan 2015 #37

That is hideous. That old building was exquisite. bamademo Jan 2015 #50

If by "exquisite" you mean Android3.14 Jan 2015 #51

A library? What's that? Archae Jan 2015 #18

Well, Archae, that's your uninformed opinion. intheflow Jan 2015 #19

I'll add more: demmiblue Jan 2015 #21

I was being facetious. Archae Jan 2015 #22

Ooo, sorry. intheflow Jan 2015 #24

It seems nowadays we only hear about a library when... Archae Jan 2015 #25

Actually, the last election cycle was pretty good to libraries. intheflow Jan 2015 #28

Because newer = better to some people ailsagirl Jan 2015 #26

You'll have to pry my chamber pot out of my cold dead hands Major Nikon Jan 2015 #34

Conservatives never conserve. Those are some beautiful pictures, btw. nt valerief Jan 2015 #29

Seattle had an old yet interesting library HeiressofBickworth Jan 2015 #30

I'm too young to remember, but looking at these pictures, it seems there was a time... MadDAsHell Jan 2015 #33

Buildings like that are alive BubbaFett Jan 2015 #36

wow! what amazing pictures! my old library never looked like that! orleans Jan 2015 #38

There was a beautiful one in downtown Houston that was incredibly beautiful. One could sit on the freshwest Jan 2015 #39

I've used both the old Sam Houston library ashling Jan 2015 #40

Yes, you know the place! I'm glad it's still there. freshwest Jan 2015 #41

Plus you get piece o' modern art to boot ashling Jan 2015 #43

Yes, red steel mouse is a good description. I didn't find it people friendly, but that's just me. freshwest Jan 2015 #45

I always thought THIS was the most beautiful library in America DFW Jan 2015 #42

Not bad! Is that this one in NYC or one in D.C.? freshwest Jan 2015 #44

You know me all too well DFW Jan 2015 #47

That I do, I think. And it is indeed a beauty. freshwest Jan 2015 #48

LC is a magnificent building and library. I loved researching there when a grad student at GWU. appalachiablue Jan 2015 #52

Is that Patience, or Fortitude? Rhythm Jan 2015 #54

Maybe because it ridiculously impractical and dangerous. alphafemale Jan 2015 #46

This is the Union Station in Springfield Mass. Bombero1956 Jan 2015 #49

early large buildings were difficult to impossible to modernize Sen. Walter Sobchak Jan 2015 #55