Carnegie Library

Pendleton’s first Library Association was formed in 1877, with subscribers paying $5 each for one of 200 association shares. In 1906, 18 community residents formed the Independent Social Club, and each member brought a book to meetings so the group could exchange them until everyone had read them all. The collection grew to 150 volumes, was housed in Tanke’s Drug Store, and was loaned to non-members for five cents a week. Mrs. Sarah Skillen Cook and her fellow club members pursued the construction of a library and secured a promise from Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Foundation for $8,000 if the town guaranteed $800 per year for upkeep. Thomas M. Hardy, Sr. donated land, and a tax was levied to provide the local match. The Pendleton and Fall Creek Public Township Public Library was dedicated on March 1, 1912. The Major Henry G.A.R. Post donated 84 volumes of war history, the Saturday Club gave 110 volumes, and churches, clubs, other organizations, and individuals also contributed generously. Margaret Wade of the Anderson Public Library organized the Pendleton Library and served as its first librarian until 1913, when Evangeline Lewis was appointed librarian and her sister Maude Lewis assistant librarian. Financial donations from individuals, clubs, and organizations continued to help the library grow and expand its collections. The building served as Pendleton’s library until 1991, and on May 15, 2005, it was rededicated as Carnegie Learning Center, an alternative school.

Pendleton, Indiana · United States