Gilroy, Santa Clara County
Monterey to San Francisco area, Central Coast region
Gilroy Historical Museum
195 Fifth Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
opened 1910
Public library from 1910-1975
currently a museum
grant amount: $10,000
architectural style: Classical Revival (Type B)
architect: W. H. Weeks
The Gilroy Carnegie library was the first of William H. Weeks' seven "classic
Carnegies" of the Greek temple style, with pediments and columns. The
interior is recognized for its central octagonal rotunda and patented skylight.
At the corner of Fifth and Church streets in a tree shaded residential
neighborhood, it is located near the historic downtown. It was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Gilroy's 1876 library was short lived. Then in 1905, another
library was established and in February 1906, the Library
Trustees applied to Andrew Carnegie for a grant of $10,000,
which was approved. A temporary library space opened in City
Hall in 1907 with volumes from the Ladies' Reading Circle.
Mrs. Benn, the public school librarian became the librarian of
the Gilroy Public Library. Land for the new Carnegie Library
was purchased with a gift of $1000 by local philanthropist
Caroline Hoxett. On August 17, 1909 plans submitted by William
Weeks were accepted by the Library Trustees and forwarded to
Mr. Carnegie for approval. The builder, H.J. Wood came from
Watsonville, as did Weeks. On July 27, 1910, the newly
completed Carnegie Library opened its doors with a musicale and
punch reception at 8 p.m. Except for new stairs added in 1937
and also designed by Weeks, the building is virtually
unchanged and after its library service, became Gilroy's
Historical Museum.
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