Nearly 1,700 libraries around the United States were constructed through the grants of steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie from the late 1800s into the first decades of the 20th century.
Some, like the Peoria Public Library's Lincoln Branch, are still serving as repositories of books and knowledge today. Others, like the Carnegie library in Pekin, were torn down to make way for something new.
In Chillicothe, the historic former library on Second Street is getting a new lease on life as an eight-room boutique hotel.
Charlie Rusk and Brady Miller are the business partners behind the project, which they've dubbed The Carnegie in tribute to the man whose $10,000 grant helped fund its construction. Rusk said they purchased the building from the owner of the former Waxwing Books around a year ago.
"[We] completely gutted almost the entire building back down to what people would have seen in 1915. The library opened in 1916," he said.
That included baring the original brick wall surfaces once hidden by plaster. New wainscoting adorns the walls in the main common area, and Rusk said he'd like to add a fireplace, too. The rooms themselves are modern, with TVs, mini-fridges, and other accoutrements one might expect in any hotel room. Stays will be booked through AirBnB.
The building has caught Rusk's eye for a long time.
"I've always loved this building. You know, 20 years ago, like, 'that building is awesome. You know, it could definitely be something else, if it ever presented itself,"' he said.
Rusk said he and his business partner are asked frequently why they're opening a boutique hotel in Chillicothe, population 6,128 as of the 2020 Census. The Princeville native has a ready answer when the question is posed.
"We love Chillicothe. We love downtown Chillicothe. Truly our goal is to keep going down and doing some other buildings, like we have done in the past. You know, we believe this definitely will fly," he said.
Rusk also runs The Mill, an architectural salvage operation, wood shop, and music venue. He said he's intentionally kept a lid on the hotel's progress for the past year, both to spark a little intrigue and to ensure it's seen only after its remodeling.
An open house is scheduled for Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Carnegie is located at 822 N. 2nd St. in Chillicothe.
It may be the newest business on the block, but Rusk hopes it's not the last.
"Come down here and check out and historic downtown Chillicothe. We have a lot to offer. We have more to offer. We'd love to see some other businesses come downtown," he said.
