Through funds advanced by the Carnegie Corporation, and supplemented by local contributions, Cape Girardeau Public Library opened its doors at its Common Pleas Courthouse Park location on April 1, 1922.  Efforts to start a public library began at the turn of the century and in 1914 a library was opened in the Ellingood building at the corner of Themis and Spanish streets.  World War I stopped efforts to build a Carnegie library here, but they were renewed after the conflict and resulted in this $30,000 structure.