Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Carnegie Libraries of California, G-M
Gilroy
In use 1910 - 1975; currently a museum.
Library subsumed into Santa Clara County Library, but at least someone had the common sense to reuse the original building.
(Relax, there is still a Gilroy branch facility.)
The card is from the Pacific Novelty Co. of San Francisco, and is unusual in its colors and lettering style.
Glendale
In use 1914 - 1973. The WPA added two sections just prior to World War II. Demolished in 1977.
The card was produced by M. Kashower. The date above the entrance looks more like 1919 than 1914.
Hanford
In use 1906 - 1971; since 1975, a museum.
This is a lighter form of Romanesque Revival architecture, courtesy of McDougall Brothers architects.
Lovely Newman post card, produced soon after the library was built.
Hayward
1906-1948
Considered to be Spanish Colonial Revival architecture: architects of record were Smith & Stone.
Handsome Edward H. Mitchell sepia-tint card also incorporates two typical California bungalows and a Brass Era auto.
Clear View brand card out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, with its signature aluminized border.
Healdsburg
1909 grant; built in 1911, and replaced in 1988.
Oh well, if you've gotta go, going to be blended with a wine library is not the worst fate. The Carnegie building is now a museum.
(L) Rather nondescript Pacific Novelty Company card, never mailed.
(R) Sepia tinted Edw. H. Mitchell postcard, mailed in 1913.
Hemet
Late 1910 grant: opened in 1912, and replaced in 1965.
The monochrome card, newspaper quality, was mailed in 1922. Notice the indent on its right side.
This Columbia Wholesale Supply chrome is hard to date, but is post-cosmetic surgery. We do know that its photographer was Max Mahon.
Hollywood
(L) Souvenir Publishing card, mailed in 1916.
(R) Early Tichnor Brothers card.
1906 - 1958
Upon annexation to Los Angeles in 1910, this Tudor Revival library became a branch library, the first of several indignities to befall this Carnegie project before its demolition in 1958.
The current Hollywood branch is a Frank Gehry edifice. No hooray for Hollywood from me.
Lakeport
1914 grant; built in 1918, and replaced in 1985. Now in use by the UC-Davis limnologists.
The lake is Clear Lake.
(L) Photo postcard, newer than the other.
(R) Beautiful hand colored card, with some water damage limited to the sky.
Lincoln
The out-of-register, badly tinted postcard, mailed in 1913 does this 1909 Type C Classical Revival Carnegie library no favors. It was a tiny building, yes, but it has some lovely terra cotta and tile work.
With an addition which seems far larger than the Allen D. Fellows designed building, it remains in use.
Lompoc
Late 1909 grant. Rare among California Carnegie-funded libraries, this is extant, but used as a museum.
Monochrome post card was mailed in 1913. Its maker is unknown.
Long Beach
1909 - 1972
Demolished in 1973 subsequent to a fire. This wasn't the most distinguished (Classical Revival) library, but these are among the better postcards in my collection.
(R) Park with monument, and the library in the background.
(L) Benham card.
(R) Edward H. Mitchell card.
BELOW
(L) Longshaw card.
(C) Newman postcard.
(R) RPPC, identified via the other cards and the fabulous landscaping.
Los Gatos
(L) J. Scheff & Sons card, annotated 1908. A hasty post-earthquake business concern?
(R) Beautiful Edw. H. Mitchell postcard.
Barely survived the 1906 earthquake, but demolished in 1954 over safety concerns.
Monrovia
1908 - 1956
It didn't even make it to middle age.
Sweet, glorious youth! Flower beds! Pampas grass! Flowering trees!
Curt Teich, you tried your hardest on this card.
Monterey
A Christmas present (12/24/1907, per Bobinski) for Monterey resulting in a library which served the public from 1911 - 1952.
Lovely combination of Mission, Moorish, and the 'standard' Carnegie style.
Pretty Edw. H. Mitchell card, never mailed.
