Before traveling, I research local libraries at or near my destination. If there’s a Carnegie Library or if there’s something interesting to see, I’m nearly always willing to travel out of my way to visit.
A couple of months ago I found myself in Piqua, Ohio with a few hours for exploration. I had read about their spectacular library so we went for a look-see.
It is described as a Richardson Romanesque building that was constructed as the Piqua Plaza Hotel. At five stories, the 1891 building is a massive and imposing presence in the city’s downtown. I had to look up Richardson Romanesque because I wasn’t familiar with the name. It uses stone walls, round arches and contrasting colors to create a heavy appearance. This style was popular for public buildings between 1880 and 1900. While I recognized the style, I had no idea what it was called.
The hotel was built in 1891 with 100 rooms. Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft are said to have visited here. Tragically, the hotel began to fail in the 1950s and was boarded up in the eighties. It was renovated in the early 2000’s.
We talked to a nice librarian who shared some interesting facts and stories about the place. He also shared some of the more recent history when the building was preserved to give three floors of space to library patrons, storage and a ballroom operated by the city. Each floor is accessible by an elevator that uses the hotel’s original elevator shaft.
Friends, this building is magnificent. I couldn’t believe the magnitude of the building from the outside and could only say “wow” when we went inside. A black and white tile floor, gorgeous woodwork, high ceilings, artwork everywhere, a backing, a restored skylight and so much more make this space feel special.
And when I say special, I mean truly special. If I lived closer, I would be there all the time. What a magnificent place to write, to discover new books and to explore unexpected ideas. It’s sad to think how close this building came to the brink when it was boarded up in the eighties.
It has the feel of an art museum with busts, reliefs, paintings and other pieces all throughout the building. You’ll find something interesting to study and enjoy in every nook and cranny of the public space. What a delightful place to explore on a rainy day! And all I could think is what a fun, exciting, intriguing place to be a little kid in search of adventure through books!
The Piqua Library is located at 116 West High Street in downtown Piqua. If you’re in town, swing by and have a look around!
I will write more about some of the artwork and historic pieces on display here so check back another day!