Construction of the Newton Carnegie Library began on April 15, 1903, creating a striking two-story addition to Main Street Newton with Cottonwood stone, a red brick facade, and Ionic columns. Designed by W.W. Rose and built by Reikowski and Bartel on land donated by E.C. Lewellen, the building emerged after considerable controversy over whether it should stand south of the Santa Fe tracks or on the north side. Funding came from a $16000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Officially opened March 14, 1904, it replaced rented rooms in the Randall Building at 5th and Main. A $5000 room was added to the west side in 1924, the basement was remodeled as a children's section in 1937, and the building served until April, 1973, when a new library opened on North Oak and the Carnegie Building deed was tendered to the Harvey County Historical Society.