In March 1917, the first organizational meeting to establish a public library in East Jordan was held. By May of that year, a board of directors was elected. They then sought confirmation from the Carnegie Foundation on the availability of a $10,000 grant for constructing the library. The foundation agreed to extend the offer for one year if the board decided to defer building until that time.
By March 1918, all necessary services for constructing the library were contracted, and the building was completed at a total cost of $9,453.25. In October of the same year, the library furniture was purchased, and Mrs. A.E. Sunstedt was appointed as the librarian. The first official board meeting in the new library was held on July 7, 1919. This was followed by an open house on July 11 to celebrate the library’s opening at its Main Street location.
The new library quickly became a vital community resource. By October 1919, it had welcomed 1,115 visitors. Initially, the 2,000-square-foot upper level was sufficient for housing the library’s collection. There was a lower level that was utilized as office space for East Jordan Iron Works. It was later converted into storage.
The library served the community at its Main Street location until September 1989. The library moved operations to a new site at One Library Lane. Even before the construction of the new library began, the library board proactively sought a new purpose for the old building. In May 1988, they offered a lease to an organization dedicated to the arts. This led to the formation of the Jordan River Arts Council, which adopted its bylaws and officially became an organization.
On Monday, June 26, 1989, the library building officially changed hands. The Jordan River Arts Council accepted a three-year lease on the building. Eventually, in 2014, they purchased it from the City of East Jordan for $1. The council transformed the old library into a vibrant arts center, further enriching the cultural fabric of East Jordan.
The East Jordan Carnegie Library’s history reflects a strong community commitment to education, culture, and the arts. Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy played a crucial role in this story, providing the necessary funds to construct the library and set the foundation for decades of public service. The initial grant of $10,000, adjusted for inflation, would be worth several hundred thousand dollars today. Carnegie made a significant investment in the community.
Throughout its years of operation on Main Street, the library not only served as a repository of knowledge but also as a communal gathering place. The transition to a new, modern facility in 1989 marked a new chapter in the library’s history. It expanded its services and continue its mission of fostering learning and community engagement.
The old library’s transformation into the Jordan River Arts Council highlights the community’s adaptive reuse of historical buildings. The arts council has since provided a venue for artistic expression, education, and cultural events. The historic building remains a vibrant part of East Jordan’s community life.
Today, the East Jordan Public Library at One Library Lane continues to thrive, building on the legacy of its Carnegie-funded predecessor. The story of the library and its evolution reflects the enduring importance of public institutions in fostering community and culture, a testament to the vision of those early organizers in 1917.
Northern Lower Peninsula – Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, East Jordan, Mancelona, Manistee, Petoskey and Traverse City.
Upper Peninsula – Escanaba, Houghton, Iron Mountain, Ironwood, Ishpeming, Sault Ste. Marie, and Stambaugh (now Iron River).