Cincinnatis Cavernous Old Main Library

But its predecessor demolished in the spring of 1955 was nothing short of stunning.

Cincinnatis cavernous old main library. The old main library the main library has occupied a prominent position in downtown cincinnati since 1874 when a new building was constructed at 629 vine street. Considered the most magnificent public library building in the country at the time old main featured one element similar to todays library. Colossal cast iron book alcoves and spiral staircases that went several stories high checker board marble floors that shone beneath the skylight roof. The librarys main entrance.

The library was demolished in 1955. The library was demolished in 1955. In honor of our 160th anniversary celebration we interviewed former shelver ray richardson 1954 1955 about his brief time working inside the old main libr. Built in 1874 the old main library was originally intended to be an opera house with a towering atrium that instead became home to five tiers of stacked bookshelves.

The old public library of cincinnati was the sort of place you only see in a harry potter film. A towering atrium with a skylight ceiling. The library was once one of cincinnatis most stunning buildings. With five levels of cast iron shelving a fabulous foyer checker board marble floors and an atrium lit by a skylight ceiling the place was breathtaking.

With five levels of cast iron shelving a fabulous foyer checker board marble floors and an atrium lit by a skylight ceiling the place was breathtaking. And one of the countrys most beautiful public libraries. A man browsing for books in cincinnatis cavernous old main library. Built in 1874 on the site reserved for an opera house the old main cincinnati library was a thing of wonder.

Public library of cincinnati hamilton county 3. The old cincinnati library before being demolished 1874 1955. The library was demolished in 1955. Cincinnati ohios current downtown public library branch is grand in its own right as one of the busiest branches in the country.

Cast iron book alcoves lined the sides of the main hall. A man browsing for books in cincinnatis cavernous old main library. A magnificent maze of books that is now lost forever. One of the large cast iron book alcoves that lined the main hall.