W hen the library building was built, there were no paved streets, no running water systems, no sewer lines or central heating systems in McLeansboro. Very few homes had clothes closets. The Cloud mansion was provided with running water by having a large cistern at the northwest side of the building. An iron pipe led to the kitchen, then to the attic to a hand pump. Water was pumped to a 500 gallon tank to supply water with a gravity flow.
Fireplaces adorn the mansion throughout the structure.
Visitors are always amazed by the elaborate fireplaces. T he Clouds made their own gas for the gas lights throughout the house. A large metal tank was buried on the lot which the bank occupies. Carbide was placed inside and water was added. This created a combustible gas which was piped to the chandeliers.