In November 1998, Anaheim's venerable Carnegie Library building, reached its ninth decade in serving the cultural needs of our community.
Many Anaheim residents still know this current home of The Anaheim Museum, as the old Central Library and are often surprised to see
artworks displayed where book stacks once held court. This building, the last remaining example of Mr. Andrew Carnegie's benevolence in
Orange County, has had a colorful history that merits a short review here.
Many Anaheim residents still know this current home of The Anaheim Museum, as the old Central Library and are often surprised to see
artworks displayed where book stacks once held court. This building, the last remaining example of Mr. Andrew Carnegie's benevolence in
Orange County, has had a colorful history that merits a short review here.
The early Anaheim pioneers realized the community's need for a lending library as early as 1871. By 1873, 102 subscribers (paying an
annual fee of five dollars) were using the library services provided by Messrs. H.S. Austin and P.A. Clark at their stationery store. During
the latter years of the nineteenth Century, the need for an organized "free" Public Library to serve Anaheim's growing population of 1,400
was being openly discussed throughout the downtown business community.
annual fee of five dollars) were using the library services provided by Messrs. H.S. Austin and P.A. Clark at their stationery store. During
the latter years of the nineteenth Century, the need for an organized "free" Public Library to serve Anaheim's growing population of 1,400
was being openly discussed throughout the downtown business community.
On January 29, 1901 a "permanent" Library Association was formed by community
leaders who proceeded to request donations of money and books from the residents with
the hope of raising funds to open a "true" Public Library. Meanwhile, beginning in 1889,
steel tycoon, Mr. Andrew Carnegie began granting communities across the country, funds
to build public supported libraries. By 1919, Carnegie's beneficence funded the
construction of over 2,500 public libraries in the English-speaking world. This fact did not
go unnoticed by Anaheim's fledgling Library Association Board who discussed "the
propriety of asking Mr. Andrew Carnegie to contribute to our cause."
leaders who proceeded to request donations of money and books from the residents with
the hope of raising funds to open a "true" Public Library. Meanwhile, beginning in 1889,
steel tycoon, Mr. Andrew Carnegie began granting communities across the country, funds
to build public supported libraries. By 1919, Carnegie's beneficence funded the
construction of over 2,500 public libraries in the English-speaking world. This fact did not
go unnoticed by Anaheim's fledgling Library Association Board who discussed "the
propriety of asking Mr. Andrew Carnegie to contribute to our cause."
It would be six more years before official contact would be made with Mr. Carnegie while
in the meantime the community struggled to provide library services. At this time,
Anaheim's book depository was located in the back of Mr. Cornelius Bruce's Candy Store,
to whom the Library Association rented space at twelve dollars per month. After much
heated discussion among community leaders, all clearly noted in the columns of the
Anaheim Gazette, Anaheim's Board of Trustees passed Ordinance No. 144 on August 12,
1902 officially establishing a Public Library for the citizens of Anaheim.
in the meantime the community struggled to provide library services. At this time,
Anaheim's book depository was located in the back of Mr. Cornelius Bruce's Candy Store,
to whom the Library Association rented space at twelve dollars per month. After much
heated discussion among community leaders, all clearly noted in the columns of the
Anaheim Gazette, Anaheim's Board of Trustees passed Ordinance No. 144 on August 12,
1902 officially establishing a Public Library for the citizens of Anaheim.
This act enabled the City fathers to transfer twenty-five dollars per month from the General Fund into the new "Library Fund." Although
now ordained by municipal action, little was actually done to create a permanent home for Anaheim's Library. By early 1906, Anaheim's
upon itself the project of acquiring same.
now ordained by municipal action, little was actually done to create a permanent home for Anaheim's Library. By early 1906, Anaheim's
upon itself the project of acquiring same.
Initial contacts were made to Mr. Carnegie's personal secretary, Mr. James Bertram, by March of 1906. Mr. Charles A. Boege, the
Chamber's Secretary, continued written communication with Carnegie's office through early 1907. By this time, a firm pledge of $10,000 was
being discussed with the understanding that the residents of Anaheim would continue to fund the estimated $1,000 yearly operating costs. A
costs to the City.costs to the City.
Chamber's Secretary, continued written communication with Carnegie's office through early 1907. By this time, a firm pledge of $10,000 was
being discussed with the understanding that the residents of Anaheim would continue to fund the estimated $1,000 yearly operating costs. A
costs to the City.costs to the City.
The Chamber of Commerce having now received a commitment from the Carnegie interests, the responsibility of actually funding the
location and building the library building was accepted by the Library Association and the Board of Trustees. A "turf war" soon developed
between the parties as to who was authorized to seek a site, choose an architect and building design as well as seek bids for the actual
construction. The Board of Trustees finally exercised their rights over issues of municipal buildings, allowing the Library Association
advisory responsibilities.
location and building the library building was accepted by the Library Association and the Board of Trustees. A "turf war" soon developed
between the parties as to who was authorized to seek a site, choose an architect and building design as well as seek bids for the actual
construction. The Board of Trustees finally exercised their rights over issues of municipal buildings, allowing the Library Association
advisory responsibilities.
On July 9, 1907 the City received the deed to "Original City Lot No. 45," a 140 x 160 foot space at the corner of Broadway and Los
Angeles Streets (later Anaheim Blvd.) This site was chosen due its prominence on a busy route through the County as much as the fact that
Mr. William Konig, the owner, reduced his asking price from $4,000 to $2,400, this amount pledged by 75 citizen's donations. With the
location decided upon, requests were made by the Library Board of local architects, six firms submitting plans.
Angeles Streets (later Anaheim Blvd.) This site was chosen due its prominence on a busy route through the County as much as the fact that
Mr. William Konig, the owner, reduced his asking price from $4,000 to $2,400, this amount pledged by 75 citizen's donations. With the
location decided upon, requests were made by the Library Board of local architects, six firms submitting plans.
After reviewing the proposals, the Library Board recommended a plan submitted by Mr. John C. Austin, a Los Angeles Architect well
known for his municipal work in that city. Again, heated battle raged between the Library Board and the City Trustee's over the
"completeness" of the sketches offered. Modified instructions were published in the local newspapers with only four revised plans returned.
A joint meeting between the municipal combatants was held on January 29, 1908, wherein Mr. Austin's plans were officially accepted by the
City.
known for his municipal work in that city. Again, heated battle raged between the Library Board and the City Trustee's over the
"completeness" of the sketches offered. Modified instructions were published in the local newspapers with only four revised plans returned.
A joint meeting between the municipal combatants was held on January 29, 1908, wherein Mr. Austin's plans were officially accepted by the
City.
Local and Los Angeles press were very complementary of the design chosen, a spacious two story 58x80 foot, pressed brick and concrete
structure, an interior of Oregon pine, capped with a tile roof. Copywriters waxed poetic describing the "handsomest small public building in
Southern California," with its "spacious lobby, outside porch and Doric columns." The site and design were now had, could this edifice be
constructed for only $10,000 as mandated by the Carnegie grant?
structure, an interior of Oregon pine, capped with a tile roof. Copywriters waxed poetic describing the "handsomest small public building in
Southern California," with its "spacious lobby, outside porch and Doric columns." The site and design were now had, could this edifice be
constructed for only $10,000 as mandated by the Carnegie grant?
By March 1908, the plans were sent to Mr. Carnegie for his review. Secretary Bertram's March 18 letter of reply to the Board of Trustees
stated, "The building is larger than necessary...the building as planned will cost more than the $10,000...we would like to hear from what
source the deficit is to be met."
stated, "The building is larger than necessary...the building as planned will cost more than the $10,000...we would like to hear from what
source the deficit is to be met."
Further communications between Anaheim's frugal Germans and the thrifty Scotsman finally elicited a reply that funding had been
authorized on May 1, 1908. From the list of competing bidders, the construction firm of Kuechel and Rowley of Orange was chosen when
they agreed to the architect's changes in specifications and were able to "reduce their bid to $9,589."
authorized on May 1, 1908. From the list of competing bidders, the construction firm of Kuechel and Rowley of Orange was chosen when
they agreed to the architect's changes in specifications and were able to "reduce their bid to $9,589."
After more delays in working out details, construction was to begin in late November. Funding was so severe that the inclusion of a
cornerstone was dropped by the Library Board because the money was needed elsewhere on the project. The local Masonic Lodge, realizing
the lack of a cornerstone would deprive them of a "photo opportunity" during the dedication ceremony, funded one at the cost of sixteen
dollars. With all things now in order, a great community celebration was held on November 21, 1908 wherein the cornerstone, containing
period memorabilia, was laid with full Masonic ceremony, processions and speeches.
cornerstone was dropped by the Library Board because the money was needed elsewhere on the project. The local Masonic Lodge, realizing
the lack of a cornerstone would deprive them of a "photo opportunity" during the dedication ceremony, funded one at the cost of sixteen
dollars. With all things now in order, a great community celebration was held on November 21, 1908 wherein the cornerstone, containing
period memorabilia, was laid with full Masonic ceremony, processions and speeches.
The residents of Anaheim formally received their new Public Library building when opened on New Year's Day, 1909. Records tell us that
well as to meet the payroll. The building existed for almost two decades without any major modification. The Library Board then concluded
that a renovation was necessary. The plan included "repairs, alterations and improvements...to walls to make them waterproof, to construct
an outside entrance to the south basement room...the toilets to be repaired...the building to be rewired...and anything else found to be in
need of repairs."
well as to meet the payroll. The building existed for almost two decades without any major modification. The Library Board then concluded
that a renovation was necessary. The plan included "repairs, alterations and improvements...to walls to make them waterproof, to construct
an outside entrance to the south basement room...the toilets to be repaired...the building to be rewired...and anything else found to be in
need of repairs."
As the mid 20th century was dawning in Anaheim, it was very apparent that the building constructed 50 years earlier for a population of
2,000 was woefully inadequate for a community that was watching the construction of a new world-class amusement park just south of town.
By 1958 a "Committee of 100" of Anaheim's civic leaders were chosen to review the overall state of the community's water and electrical
infrastructure, fire and police services, public parks and public buildings. Among other proposals presented to the City Council in 1959, was
the need for a new Central Public Library building. Long range plans were argued over, agreed upon, presented to the community for their
vote, bonds sold and in 1963 the residents of Anaheim opened a new Central Library two blocks west of the old Carnegie location.
2,000 was woefully inadequate for a community that was watching the construction of a new world-class amusement park just south of town.
By 1958 a "Committee of 100" of Anaheim's civic leaders were chosen to review the overall state of the community's water and electrical
infrastructure, fire and police services, public parks and public buildings. Among other proposals presented to the City Council in 1959, was
the need for a new Central Public Library building. Long range plans were argued over, agreed upon, presented to the community for their
vote, bonds sold and in 1963 the residents of Anaheim opened a new Central Library two blocks west of the old Carnegie location.
The building, whose opening almost sixty years earlier, thrilled the community, was now just so much vacant surplus municipal space. Empty
for three years, the City's Personnel Department moved in, since space no longer existed in the old City Hall. In 1973, the City Council
aware of the generally deteriorating condition of some of downtown Anaheim's business blocks, adopted a far reaching urban renewal plan
known as "Project Alpha," the effects of which are still felt today.
for three years, the City's Personnel Department moved in, since space no longer existed in the old City Hall. In 1973, the City Council
aware of the generally deteriorating condition of some of downtown Anaheim's business blocks, adopted a far reaching urban renewal plan
known as "Project Alpha," the effects of which are still felt today.
Various urban planner renderings showed a very modern community center, with new high-rise glass office buildings, restaurants and urban
parks all linked to Disneyland with monorail service. Nowhere in these plans however were any historic buildings, connections to the
community's past, the memories of which were burned in the minds of many residents. Alarmed citizens organized societies devoted to the
preservation of a few key downtown buildings, the 1908 Carnegie Library building to be the centerpiece of these efforts. The Anaheim
Museum, Inc. was formed to create and manage the resulting museum earmarked for the venerable building.
parks all linked to Disneyland with monorail service. Nowhere in these plans however were any historic buildings, connections to the
community's past, the memories of which were burned in the minds of many residents. Alarmed citizens organized societies devoted to the
preservation of a few key downtown buildings, the 1908 Carnegie Library building to be the centerpiece of these efforts. The Anaheim
Museum, Inc. was formed to create and manage the resulting museum earmarked for the venerable building.
City Council Resolution 78R-138 signed by Mayor Bill Thom on February 28,
1978 finally resolved that the "property and improvements known as the
Carnegie Library...is hereby, designated as a historical library, research center
and museum." This act culminated Herculean efforts of many residents to gain
City Council approval to completely renovate and restore this Anaheim
landmark. The building constructed for just under $10,000 in 1908, was now to
cost $781,000 to meet current building and earthquake standards. Finally
reopened in 1987, the renewed Carnegie Library building's tenant became The
Anaheim Museum.
1978 finally resolved that the "property and improvements known as the
Carnegie Library...is hereby, designated as a historical library, research center
and museum." This act culminated Herculean efforts of many residents to gain
City Council approval to completely renovate and restore this Anaheim
landmark. The building constructed for just under $10,000 in 1908, was now to
cost $781,000 to meet current building and earthquake standards. Finally
reopened in 1987, the renewed Carnegie Library building's tenant became The
Anaheim Museum.
Today she still stands proud on Mr. Konig's corner lot, a little wrinkled but
proud of her accomplishments over these past ninety years. Through a
public-private partnership with the City of Anaheim, The Anaheim Museum
continues to reach out to the community as a cultural arts venue. With new
construction nearby, the visibility of this fine building within the downtown area
is increasing as its importance to the community is fully realized.
proud of her accomplishments over these past ninety years. Through a
public-private partnership with the City of Anaheim, The Anaheim Museum
continues to reach out to the community as a cultural arts venue. With new
construction nearby, the visibility of this fine building within the downtown area
is increasing as its importance to the community is fully realized.
by Stephen Faessel
