Woodland Public Library

Woodland Public Library
Location 250 1st St. Woodland, California
Coordinates 38°40′45″N 121°46′24″W / 38.67917°N 121.77333°W / 38.67917; -121.77333Coordinates: 38°40′45″N 121°46′24″W / 38.67917°N 121.77333°W / 38.67917; -121.77333
Built 1905
Architect Dodge & Dolliver, W.H. Weeks
Architectural style Mission Revival
Part of Downtown Woodland Historic District (#99000471)
NRHP Reference # 81000183
Significant dates
Added to NRHP September 28, 1981[1]
Designated CP June 22, 1999[1]

The Woodland Public Library is the oldest, and one of the last functioning Carnegie-funded libraries in California.[2][3] It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing property of the Downtown Woodland Historic District.[4]

History

Woodland's library history began with ice-cream socials and book donations from community members, led by the woman in the community in 1874. In 1891 a $500 donation helped the community's efforts and led to the establishment of a free public library held in a small area in City Hall.[5] In 1903 a grant from Andrew Carnegie was received in the amount of $10,000 for the construction of a public library. Dodge & Dolliver of San Francisco (whose work included the San Mateo County Courthouse and St. John's Presbyterian Church in San Francisco) was to design the first phase of the library.[2] Dodge & Dolliver designed the building based on Mission Revival architecture even though James Bertram, Carnegie's personal secretary, objected to their choice. William Henry Curson, the contractor for the Woodland Opera House, was the contractor for the job.

Between 1915 and 1979 an agreement was made between the Yolo County Library System and the City Library. The two organizations shared the same building for administrative operations but the Yolo County Library had a separate service establishment. This led to Carnegie donating $12,000 in 1915 to expand the building. A west wing was added, designed by W.H. Weeks, with an entrance on Court Street with a sign that said "County Library" while the original entrance on First Street said "City Library".[5]

In 1927-1929 another expansion occurred, and in 1985 voters approved a $2.5 million expansion that included the construction of the Leake Room and the interior courtyard.[2] When the additions were completed in 1988, the building was twice as large.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 Wilkinson, David. "Dodge & Dolliver". Crafting a Valley Jewel: Architects and Builders of Woodland. Woodland, CA: Yolo County Historical Society. pp. 68–69. ISBN 1-892626-06-3.
  3. ↑ "City of Woodland: Library". Retrieved 2008-12-07.
  4. ↑ "National Register: Woodland Public Library". Retrieved 2008-12-07.
  5. 1 2 3 Kortum, Lucy. "Carnegie Libraries of California: Woodland, Yolo County". Retrieved 2008-12-06.
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