The 90-foot flagpole can be seen in this 1914 photo of Carnegie Library of Duquesne. For a larger version of this photo, click here.

The mere mention of the Carnegie Library of Duquesne and its untimely demise still invokes anger in many who lived or still live in the city. “The crown jewel of the city” a local newspaper once wrote of the building’s grandeur.

Constructed in 1901, it was one of over 2,500 libraries built by Andrew Carnegie that were “free to the people.” The Duquesne library was the community’s meeting place. It was where you learned to not only read, but swim, listen to a concert, play an instrument or gather with friends to celebrate Christmas. The library stood for nearly 70 years before it was torn down in 1968 to make way for a school annex that never materialized.

As the building was demolished, many of its beautiful assets were scattered to the wind. This architectural wealth included hand made wrought iron scroll work and brass fixtures manufactured by European craftsmen, and great slabs of imported Italian marble used to assemble the grand staircases. Although the location of the many parts that made up this magnificent building are known only to a chosen few, one great piece of this history remains today.

As seen in the above photograph taken in 1914, the flag pole outside the library stood 90-feet tall and could be seen as far as Kennywood Park. When the building was torn down, the pole was cut in two with half of that flag pole re-erected outside the Duquesne Annex Fire Department in West Mifflin.

Now, after over one-hundred years of exposure to the elements, the flag pole that has an extensive history with not just one but two communities needs to be restored. In addition to many layers of paint added throughout the years, the pole was also covered in layers of tar in an effort to keep it from rusting.

The Mifflin Township Historical Society is proud to partner with the Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire Department in an effort to raise monies for the restoration of this great piece of history. If you would like to donate to the restoration of the flagpole, please send your tax-deductible donation to: Flagpole Fund, Century Heritage Federal Credit Union, 700 Regis Ave., West Mifflin, PA 15236.