Carnegie Arts Dodge City

The public library in Dodge City was established sometime prior to 1905, when Dr. C.A. Milton, Judge E. H. Madision, L.J. Pettijohn and other first discussed the idea of providing the town with a public library building. Previously, a library had been organized in 1885 and set up in the office of the county superintendent.

With the encouragement of the Women’s Club, Judge Madison wrote to Andrew Carnegie, who responded on February 1, 1905, stating he would give $7,500 for a library building (an amount later increased to $8,500). C.W. Squires, of Emporia was chosen as the architect. The contract was given to William Foley; W.B. Rhoads performed the cement work; Sturgeon Brothers provided the brick; and Tieffenbach Brothers oversaw interior decoration. The library was opened to the public February 1, 1907.

The Ladies Library Association, Philomath, Atheneum, and Sorosis Study Clubs helped raise money for the first year’s budget, with club plays, teas, and lectures. In one instance, the city council issued a license to allow a merry-go-round inside the city limits, 25% of the receipts going to the library fund.

A 500 square foot addition was begun in 1936, assisted by $5,843.55 of WPA funds. The rectangular one-story addition extends to the west; it was completed in 1937. This is the current “Main Gallery.”

By 1965, the library sought larger quarters. The red brick building was sold and, for ten years, was the home to two restaurants and three private clubs: the Red Palace, Casey Jones Junction, Carnegie Hall, Opera House 21, and The Library. It was saved twice from the wrecking ball before it was rescued by the community as an arts center.

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in early 1979. It is also on of Dodge City’s Historic Landmarks. A $93,000 federal grant was received to help restore the building, assisted with funds from local fund-raising efforts. The building now operates as the Carnegie Center for the Arts.

The Dodge City Area Arts Council was the brainchild of Camilla Luther Cave of Dodge City. Camilla and a group of interested community members formed a non-profit that would bring culture and art to Dodge City and the surrounding area. Originally, the council was in the Public Library on First Street but was moved to the Carnegie building with the purchase of the building. The DCAAC is directly tied to maintaining the former Carnegie Library building.

As an art center, our mission is to provide a venue for exhibits and events that bring arts and culture to the Southwest Kansas community.