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The Stewart Library Building was built in 1897-1898. This photograph,
taken in November of 1897, shows the building surrounded by staging as construction
commences on the clock tower, belfry and steeple. The brick and timber building has a foundation of locally quarried granite. The wooden structure in the right, foreground is a bandstand that stood on the corner of Main Street and Pleasant Street.
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One of the grandest features is on the second floor, a 75 foot stage and an auditorium with an original seating capacity of 500. This photo, taken in 1897, shows the elaborate stage curtains and backdrops, electric chandeliers and rows of removable wooden seats. The chandeliers are no longer in the building. However, one of them now hangs in the Corinna Methodist Church.
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Four of the original stage backdrops still exist. This recent photo (Aug. '98) shows the ceiling of the stage. Two drops are rolled up. One is unrolled for viewing. The rope and pulley system was restored and used by the Levi Stewart Community Theater group in the 1980s. |
This is one of my favorite pictures of Levi Stewart. He looks like such a tight-lipped old miser. However, it seems clear the stern appearance belied his generous spirit. It is said he quietly used his money to help many poor and needy families. |
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Acknowledgement:
The black and white photos on this page and some historical information came
from a 1999 calendar published recently by the Corinna Historical Society.
Other information in this piece came from 20th Century Corinna
by William R. Sawtell, 1984.
