National Register Listing

Albany Carnegie Public Library

101 W. Clay St., Albany, MO
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

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.

architecture social history library
The "Show-Me State" is Missouri's official nickname and is believed to have originated from a speech given by Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver in 1899. He said, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me."
Missouri random facts
Gentry County is located in the northwest corner of the state of Missouri. It was established on February 14, 1841, and named after Richard Gentry, a soldier who served in the Black Hawk War. The county was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ioway, Sac, and Fox tribes. The first European-American settlers arrived in the area in the early 1830s.

During the early years, Gentry County played a vital role in agricultural development. The fertile land attracted farmers who cultivated crops such as corn, wheat, and tobacco. The county's economy was largely based on agriculture, and as it expanded, so did its infrastructure. Roads, bridges, and schools were built to serve the growing population.

In the mid-1800s, Gentry County became a transportation hub with the construction of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, which passed through the county seat of Albany. This railroad greatly facilitated trade and commerce, attracting businesses and industries to the area. Gentry County saw rapid growth and development during this time, with an influx of settlers and the establishment of new towns.

Over the years, Gentry County went through various periods of prosperity and challenges. The county faced hardships during the Great Depression and experienced a decline in population. However, it rebounded in the post-WWII era with the growth of manufacturing and service industries. Today, Gentry County continues to be a rural area with a strong agricultural base and a close-knit community. Its history and heritage are preserved through various historical sites and museums that showcase the county's past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Gentry County, Missouri.

  • 1833 - Gentry County established, named after Richard Gentry, a colonel with the Missouri militia
  • 1845 - Albany becomes the county seat
  • 1847 - First courthouse is built in Albany
  • 1850 - Population reaches 4,454
  • 1861 - Civil War begins, Gentry County residents divided in their allegiances
  • 1864 - Confederate guerrilla leader William Quantrill raids Albany, burning courthouse and much of the town
  • 1871 - Second courthouse is built in Albany
  • 1893 - Population peaks at 13,673
  • 1945 - Albany Carnegie Library opens
  • 1967 - Smithfield becomes a ghost town after construction of Smithville Reservoir floods the area
  • 1996 - Albany Carnegie Library listed on the National Register of Historic Places
  • 2010 - Population reaches 6,738