Argentine Carnegie Library
a.k.a. Argentine Branch Library
Twenty-eighth St. and Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, KS Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
1881: Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, begins his philanthropic efforts in library construction by donating funds to build the Braddock Library in Pennsylvania.
1883: The first "Carnegie Library" is officially established in Dunfermline, Scotland, Carnegie's birthplace. This library serves as a model for future Carnegie Libraries.
1886: Carnegie writes an article titled "Wealth," where he articulates his belief in philanthropy and the responsibility of the wealthy to give back to society.
1889: The Carnegie Corporation of New York is established with the aim of funding the construction of libraries across the United States and other English-speaking countries.
1893: The first Carnegie Library in the United States, the Carnegie Library of Braddock in Pennsylvania, is opened to the public.
Late 1890s to early 1900s: The construction of Carnegie Libraries spreads rapidly throughout the United States and other parts of the English-speaking world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The libraries are often designed by prominent architects and feature diverse architectural styles.
1901: The Carnegie Corporation of New York is founded as a philanthropic organization to manage and administer Andrew Carnegie's charitable projects, including the library program.
1902: Carnegie makes a significant endowment, donating $10 million to establish the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Institute includes a library, an art gallery, and a natural history museum.
1917: Andrew Carnegie dies, leaving a lasting legacy of philanthropy, including the establishment of thousands of libraries around the world.
1920s-1930s: The construction of Carnegie Libraries gradually slows down, and the focus shifts to maintaining and updating existing libraries to meet changing community needs.
Late 20th century to present: Many Carnegie Libraries undergo renovations, expansions, or repurposing to adapt to modern library services and technological advancements. Some continue to operate as public libraries, while others have been transformed into cultural centers, museums, community spaces, or educational institutions.
The Carnegie Libraries have left an indelible mark on the accessibility of knowledge and education. They remain a testament to Andrew Carnegie's belief in the power of libraries to uplift communities and provide opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The first successful airplane flight west of the Mississippi River took place in Kansas in 1910, when Clyde Cessna flew his plane for the first time in Wichita.
In the early 19th century, European settlers began to move into the area. In 1843, the Wyandot tribe sold a portion of their land to the U.S. government, which became known as the Wyandotte Reservation. This land eventually became the site of the city of Kansas City, Kansas. The settlement grew rapidly as a hub for trade and transportation, due to its location on the Missouri River, and became an important center for the abolitionist movement in the 1850s.
During the Civil War, Wyandotte County played a significant role in the border conflict between Kansas and Missouri. The area was a hotbed of pro-Union sentiment, and it served as an important supply base for Union forces. The county also saw several skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Byram's Ford in 1864.
After the Civil War, Wyandotte County continued to grow and prosper. The opening of the Kansas City Stockyards in the late 19th century solidified the county's reputation as a center for agriculture and industry. Over the years, the county has experienced periods of economic growth and decline, but its strong sense of community and unique heritage have remained constant, making it a vibrant and diverse county in the present day.
Wyandotte County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Wyandotte County, Kansas.
- 1724 - The Wyandot (or Wyandotte) people, a Native American tribe, settle along the Kansas River in present-day Wyandotte County.
- 1804 - The Lewis and Clark Expedition passes through the area, noting the presence of the Wyandot tribe.
- 1825 - The Wyandot tribe signs a treaty with the U.S. government, ceding their lands in Ohio and Michigan to move to present-day Kansas.
- 1843 - The Wyandot tribe establishes a church mission and school in what is now Kansas City, Kansas.
- 1859 - Wyandotte County is officially established by the Kansas Territorial Legislature.
- 1861 - Kansas becomes a state, with Wyandotte County as one of its original 33 counties.
- 1864 - The Battle of Mockbee Farm, a small skirmish during the American Civil War, takes place in Wyandotte County.
- 1866 - The first train arrives in Kansas City, Kansas, boosting the city's growth and development.
- 1872 - The Kansas City Stockyards, one of the largest livestock markets in the country, is established in Kansas City, Kansas.
- 1923 - The Kansas City Monarchs, a prominent Negro league baseball team, is founded in Kansas City, Kansas.
- 1950s - Industrial and economic growth in Wyandotte County leads to the development of the Fairfax Industrial District.
- 1983 - The Kansas Speedway, a NASCAR race track, is opened in Kansas City, Kansas.