Former Syracuse Public Library
335 Montgomery Street

When Syracuse's Central Library was formed in 1852, it consisted of "a large and convenient bookcase" in the old City Hall building. As more books accumulated, they were moved first to the high school on West Genesee Street, then to the Putnam School which stood where the new library would soon be built. The library was granted a charter in 1893 and a few years later was renamed the Syracuse Public Library.

Andrew Carnegie gave $200,000 for construction of a new library, designed by Syracuse architect James Randall. The Beaux Arts structure was completed in 1905.

Carnegie did not attend the opening ceremonies and, in fact, accused the city of "uselessly dissipating funds" because there was nothing left following construction for books or furniture. This building remained the city's central library until 1975 when the library moved to the Galleries on Warren Street.

Photographs by David Bridges

 

First Floor

 

Stairs and Banisters

 

Miscellaneous

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