$250,000! Huge potential! Beautiful woodwork! Over 4,500 sqft! C. 1913 former library in Indiana.
There is a very special building for sale in the heart of Kendallville. It is not every day you get the chance to own a piece of American history. This building is one of the original Carnegie libraries. It was built back in 1913. Andrew Carnegie was a famous person who helped build thousands of libraries across the world, and this was one of them.
124 E Rush St, Kendallville, IN 46755
Price: $250,000
A Rich History
This property served as the town library for many years. It stayed a library until 1968. Since then, it has had many different lives. It has been a law firm and an architecture office. It even spent time as a vintage clothing store. Most recently, people knew it as the Wilson Art Gallery. Because it has been so many things, the space is very flexible.
Features:
- Original Carnegie Library
- Built in 1913
- Former law firm and art gallery
- Historic significance
Exterior and Architecture
The outside of the building is just as impressive as the inside. It is made of solid brick and stone. One of the most striking things is the red clay tile roof. You don’t see roofs like this very often anymore. It sits on a nice corner lot right in town. There is a grand entryway that makes a big statement as soon as you walk up. The classic outdoor lighting adds a nice touch when the sun goes down.
Features:
- Brick and stone exterior
- Red clay tile roof
- Corner lot
- Grand entryway
- Classic outdoor lighting
Beautiful Interior Details
When you step inside, you will see why this building is so famous in the area. The ceilings are very high, which makes every room feel huge. There are original wood details everywhere you look. In the library room, you will find built-in bookcases that go way up. The ironwork is also very detailed and shows the craft of the early 1900s. The wood is rich and dark, giving the whole place a warm feel.
Features:
- Soaring ceilings
- Original wood details
- Built-in bookcases
- Intricate ironwork
- Library room
Plenty of Space
The building is quite large, with over 4,400 square feet of space. The main floor has about 2,232 square feet. There are three bedrooms located on this level. There are also two half-bathrooms here. The layout is open and has a great flow for either a home or a business. The windows are large and let in a lot of natural light throughout the day.
Features:
- 4,464 total square feet
- 3 main level bedrooms
- 2 main level half-baths
- Large windows
- Open layout
Finished Daylight Basement
This property also has a full basement that is completely finished. It matches the size of the main floor exactly. Because it is a daylight basement, it has large windows. You won’t feel like you are underground at all. There is an extra bedroom down here and two more half-bathrooms. It even has its own back entrance. This makes it a great spot for a separate office or a guest area.
Features:
- Finished daylight basement
- 2,232 square foot lower level
- 1 basement bedroom
- 2 basement half-baths
- Private back entrance
Modern Updates and Comfort
Even though the building is over 100 years old, it has been kept up very well. The owners have made sure the important things are updated. There are two newer high-efficiency furnaces to keep the place warm in the winter. There are also two newer air conditioning units for the summer months. You get all the charm of an old building without having to worry about the old systems.
Features:
- 2 high-efficiency furnaces
- 2 newer AC units
- Gas forced air heating
- Central air cooling
- City water and sewer
Endless Possibilities
This is truly a rare opportunity in Noble County. You could turn this back into a grand home or keep it as a creative workspace. The brick and stone architecture is built to last another century. It is located in a walkable part of town, close to everything you might need. Whether you love history or just want a unique space, this building has a lot to offer.
Features:
- Walkable location
- Residential or commercial potential
- Stately stone architecture
- Lovingly maintained
From Zillow
In 1913 this exquisite building was erected and is still arguably one of the most unique and beautiful properties in all of Noble County. What was once Kendallville’s first public library and served that purpose until 1968, it has also housed a law firm, an architecture firm, a vintage clothing store, and was most recently the Wilson Art Gallery.
1 of the original 1679 libraries built in the USA by Andrew Carnegie, a philanthropist who helped fund thousands of libraries across the world, this unique building features a grand entry way, cozy library room with built-in bookcases, soaring ceilings, intricate iron and original wood details throughout, rich, dark brown brick and field stone exterior, gorgeous architectural supports, red clay tile roof, classic outdoor lighting, and simple landscaping to compliment the clean lines of the building.
In addition, there is a full basement with tall ceilings, large daylight windows, and its own back entrance. This stately piece of Kendallville history has been lovingly maintained throughout the years and recent updates include: 2 newer high efficiency furnaces and 2 newer ac units.
With multiple work/living spaces on both the main and lower levels, this rare opportunity to to own a piece of property with such historical significance is yours for the taking!
