Around the turn of the 20th century citizens started to investigate the possibility of establishing a library and approaching the Carnegie Corporation of New York to fund a new building.

They approached Francis M. Drake, a former Civil War General, local attorney, banker, businessman, Governor of Iowa and philanthropist to join their effort.

[3][4] The building was designed in the Neoclassical style by Des Moines architect C.E.

[4] The central pavilion of the main facade features columns in the Ionic order and a shallow dome over the center of the roof.

Heavy pilasters frame the center and are capped with large stone orbs.