Built in 1915 and opened in January 1916, the original one-room Classical Revival–style Carnegie Library in Eatonton features a dedicated “Carnegie Room” for its youngest patrons, offering computers, books, and a children’s reading area. A 2020 renovation of this section restored the original hardwood shelves, floors, ceiling, and window casing and trim. The space still proudly displays the original fireplace and marble fountain, and the original circulation desk from the Carnegie Library remains in use today. My favorite tidbit about the library is that there is a ghost named Sylvia who haunts the library and several neighboring homes and buildings. The library also still has a dumbwaiter, though not in use, that moved between the circulation desk area and the basement. The library also has the original library blueprints on display, and we recently uncovered minutes from board meetings dating back to the ’50s. This library is still the heartbeat of the Eatonton-Putnam community and is well-loved and utilized!
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