A library association was founded by a group of local men in 1853, and funded by dues from its members.

Senator James F. Wilson from Fairfield was instrumental in obtaining a grant from Andrew Carnegie for a building of its own.

The building was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by Kansas City architect C. Stafford.

The association continued to run the library until 1899 when voters approved a referendum to support it with taxes.

This article about a property in Jefferson County, Iowa on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.