Sebastopol, Sonoma County

North Bay Loop area, North Coast region

opened 1917
Public library from 1916-1976
demolished, 1976

grant amount: $7,500
architectural style: Classical Revival (Type C)
architect: Brainerd Jones

In Sebastopol there were numerous early social groups and at least one literary club by 1884, but no library or reading room. A grant of $7,500 from Carnegie was obtained in 1911, but the town had hoped to receive $10,000. This was the period of more stringent Carnegie funding and closer attention to simplicity of architectural style. The matter lapsed until 1914. In 1915, a proposed bond issue to finance a more impressive building received a negative response. In 1916 there was controversy about whether to remove an historic oak tree or Lincoln Hall, an early school and then a community center, to make room for the library; the tree was felled. Brainerd Jones scaled down his library plans to fit the $7,500 budget. The very simple Classical Revival structure was dedicated January 4, 1917 and served until 1976. A county library system had been established in Sonoma County and a new regional library was planned. The Carnegie building was demolished and the new library built on the same site.

Sort listings by...  City |  Area |  Region |  Style |  Architect |  Use

Home  |   About  |   History  |   Styles  |   Listings  |   Resources
Contact Information

© Copyright 1999. All rights reserved.