The photograph is taken from present day Washington Street looking towards Market Street and Kellogg Boulevard. Building crews are constructing scaffolds and assembling cranes. To the right of the crane on the left side of the construction site is the beginning of the construction of the James J. Hill Reference Library. The James J. Hill Reference Library and the Central Library of the Saint Paul Public Library were constructed as one building, separated by a common wall.
This photograph is taken from approximately the present day corner of Market Street and Kellogg Boulevard, looking towards Washington and 4th Streets. The entire construction area is surrounded by a barricade. A delivery of lumber has a sign on it that reads: "Brooks Brothers Lumber." The second floor of the Minnesota Club is being worked on. The tower of the Cathedral of Saint Paul is visible behind the Minnesota Club. The Saint Paul Auditorium is to the right of the Minnesota Club. The twin spires of the Saint Louis Catholic Church can be seen behind the trees of Rice Park, which is on 4th Street.
Photograph is taken at the present day corners of Washington and 4th Streets. Dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen are dressed for the occasion are shown around the corner stone. Architect Electus D. Litchfield (1872-1952) stands in lower right corner holding straw hat.
This photograph is taken on the present day corners of Washington and 4th Street. This appears to be the dedication ceremony. The individual standing by the corner stone is making a speech. The speaker is not identified. Dignitaries are seated closest to the speaker. Note the woman in the left side of the photograph, same level as the speaker, who is holding a baby. Workers from the Minnesota Club have ceased working to listen to the speech. In the background, to the right of a pile of building materials, is a street car on 4th Street. In front of the wall stands architect Electus D. Litchfield (1872-1952), who is putting on his straw hat.
Close detail of the construction scaffolding. To the left of the scaffolding are machines used to mix concrete. Workers with wheelbarrows are collecting the mixture. To the right of the mixing drum is a small wooden structure that houses the engine that provides the power to mix the concrete. Exhaust smoke is coming from the stack that rises above the small wooden structure. Various construction workers are on the site. Four men in suits and hats plus another man in a vest and hat seem to be posing for the photographer. These men may be members of the Steen Construction Company. The photograph displays the words "Steen Construction Company."
This is the Reading Room, on the second floor of the library, looking from the east toward the west. The room is in the very early stages of interior work.
This photograph shows the then-Periodical Room (now known as the Nicholson Information Commons) completed without interior furnishings. The floor is tiled with cork. The ceiling has been painted and decorated. The door connects to the James J. Hill Reference Library.
The photograph is taken from present day 4th Street. The fa?ade is almost completed. Two building cranes are visible in front of the library. Window frames are now present on the second floor.
The photograph is taken from present day 4th corners of Washington and 4th Streets. Window frames are now installed being installed on the third floors of the library. The roof will soon enclose the library. The power lift is still needed for the finishing work.
The photograph is taken from an elevated position on present day Kellogg Boulevard. Roof trusses are in place and soon the roofing materials will be fixed in place. The power lift is still needed to move materials to the various floors of the library. Construction workers can be seen on the roof. Below the power lift can be seen three round arches. These arches make up the loading and delivery dock for the library.
The photograph is taken from an elevated position on present day Kellogg Boulevard. The scaffolds with their cranes, and the power lift have been removed. Finishing work continues on the room. Three rectangular openings on the roof will be for skylights. Windows that have the frames installed are now being sealed.