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Clinton Public Library

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1903–1904, Patton and Miller. 306 8th Ave. S.
  • Clinton Public Library (Richard Guy Wilson)

Here the Beaux-Arts cause is stated without restraint. The atmosphere of the building is like that of the classically inspired buildings of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, or the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition at Saint Louis which was being planned at the same time as this library building. Balustraded stairs lead up to a grandly scaled entrance defined by two pairs of Tuscan columns. The gray color of the smooth, finely cut limestone surfaces of the building has weathered into a mellow tone, suggesting great age. Some insensitive post-World War II changes have been made to the building—aluminum entrance doors were added, a metal railing now appears on the side of the entrance steps—but the strength of the original design overcomes these intrusive elements.

Writing Credits

Author: 
David Gebhard and Gerald Mansheim
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Data

What's Nearby

First United Methodist Church
National Guard Building
Clinton High School (Roosevelt School)
First Baptist Church
Pierson Block

Citation

David Gebhard and Gerald Mansheim, "Clinton Public Library", [Clinton, Iowa], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/IA-01-ME063.

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