Exeter, Tulare County
San Joaquin Valley/South area, Central Valley region
Carnegie Community Building
309 South E Street
Exeter, CA 93221
opened 1916
Public library from 1916-1975
currently a community center
grant amount: $5,000
architectural style: Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival
architect: A. Merrill Bowser
Streets in the old central rectangle of Exeter are laid out on the diagonal,
conforming to the path of the Southern Pacific railway which arrived in 1888.
The Carnegie Community Building, which combines Mission Revival and Classic
elements is located in the old part of town in City Park, between D, E,
Chestnut, and Cedar streets, under tall shade trees planted prior to the
library siting. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in
1990.
In Exeter, no library existed until 1910 when the Exeter Women's Club,
campaigned for a State Library "deposit station." A few months later Tulare
County established its county library system and Exeter became a branch.
With county support, Exeter applied for Carnegie funding and received $5000
in 1914, but Carnegie aide James Bertram and the city engaged in long and
testy debate about plans, site, and choice of architect before funds were
forthcoming. Eventually A. Merrill Bowser designed the building which
combines Mission Revival and Classic elements. When a new library was built
nearby in the park, the old library became a meeting hall for clubs and
groups, and a senior dining center.
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