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Brainerd Jones
Brainerd Jones.jpg
Brainerd Jones, ca1910
Born 1865
Died 1949
Nationality American
Occupation Architect
Known for Designing three Carnegie libraries in Sonoma County
Old Petaluma Opera House, 147-149 Kentucky St., Petaluma, CA 5-31-2010 6-45-34 PM
Old Petaluma Opera House

Brainerd Jones (1865-1949) was a famous American architect. An architect is someone who designs buildings. Jones designed many important buildings in Petaluma, California. He also created structures in other parts of Sonoma County.

Brainerd Jones: Architect of Sonoma County

Brainerd Jones designed many buildings that are still important today. His work helped shape the look of towns like Petaluma and Santa Rosa. He was known for using local stone in his designs.

Designing Carnegie Libraries

Brainerd Jones is especially famous for designing three Carnegie libraries in Sonoma County. Carnegie libraries were special libraries built with money from a rich businessman named Andrew Carnegie. Two of Jones's libraries are still standing today. They are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical buildings.

Buildings in Petaluma

Jones designed many buildings that give Petaluma its special look. He helped create the character of downtown Petaluma. Some of his designs include the 1922 addition to the C.C. Silk Mill. He also worked on the 1911 remodel of the McNear Building. The 1920 Petaluma Post Office was another one of his projects. Today, this building is a retail store.

The D Street area in Petaluma has many old houses. Brainerd Jones designed several of these homes. For example, the Byce House was used in the movie Peggy Sue Got Married. He also designed the Reynaud House and four other brick homes.

Other Important Works

Jones also designed many significant buildings in Santa Rosa. These include the Saturday Afternoon Club and the Petaluma Women's Club building. He also designed the Lumsden House and the Oates-Comstock House.

Outside of Petaluma and Santa Rosa, Jones designed other notable buildings. The 1917 Petaluma and Santa Rosa Electric Railway Depot is one example. This building is now the West County Museum in Sebastopol. He also designed the Simon Pinschower House in Cloverdale. The 1922 Petaluma Golf and Country Club Clubhouse was another of his designs.

Many of Brainerd Jones's works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes buildings that are important to American history.

List of Notable Works

Here are some of the buildings designed by Brainerd Jones:

  • Ellis-Martin House, Petaluma, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Free Public Library of Petaluma, Petaluma, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Healdsburg Carnegie Library, Healdsburg, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • W. H. Lumsden House, Santa Rosa, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Erskine McNear B., San Rafael, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Old Petaluma Opera House, Petaluma, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Petaluma Silk Mill, Petaluma, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Sebastopol Depot of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railway, Sebastopol, CA (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • First Congregational Church, Petaluma, CA (now home to the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma)
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