Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Carnegie Libraries of California
Cities T-Z
Tulare
(L) Strangely, this card was printed in Indiana by Ft. Wayne Box & Printing. The silver border (more likely, aluminum) style is much more common in midwestern postcards.
(R) Newman Postcard, for F. Rosenthal. Mailed in 1909.
(L) Strangely, this card was printed in Indiana by Ft. Wayne Box & Printing. The silver border (more likely, aluminum) style is much more common in midwestern postcards.
(R) Newman Postcard, for F. Rosenthal. Mailed in 1909.
Turlock
In public library service from 1916 to 1968, and today is Turlock's Community Arts Center.
The card, by Pacific Novelty of San Francisco, was mailed in the 1920s.
Vacaville
1905 grant. Replaced, but repurposed as the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce.
Chrome postcard from the 1950s was mailed in 1957, and used as a birth announcement.
Vallejo
1904-1969
From the exterior, this was a homely building. Carnegie Libraries of California shows some interior photographs that are strikingly beautiful.
Edward H. Mitchell Postcard, never mailed.
Visalia
Early 1903 grant; built 1904.
Replaced by a WPA project, 1936.
Not certain that there weren't other communities in greater need of a spankin' new library that year.
Benham Co. postcard, possibly printed by Curt Teich. Mailed in 1913.
Watsonville
1905-1975
Architect: William H. Weeks. The building is said to be Classical Revival Type A, but it does not match the Type A plans I have seen.
(L) Early Edward H. Mitchell card with entire back, mailed in 1912.
(R) Steinhauer & Eaton card, printed in Germany.
Whittier
Last minute 1904 grant; built 1907. Enlarged in 1927, probably wrecking its striking neoclassical lines.
Demolished in 1959.
Another Benham card, a likely Curt Teich product.
Willits
Late 1913 grant; built 1915.
Fortunately, still standing.
Willits no longer has its own library: it and Ukiah are currently served by the County of Mendocino.
Black and White brand card, mailed in 1917.
Woodland
Built with a 1905 grant: still in use (even rarer among California Carnegie libraries).
The Eastman's Studio photo postcard shows an addition at left. It has a 1951 annotation.