Ferndale Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ferndale Public Library
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Ferndale's Classical Revival Carnegie Library
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 807 Main Street, Ferndale, California |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Warren Skellings |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | California Carnegie Libraries MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001815 |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1990 |
The Ferndale Public Library is a special building in Ferndale, California. It was built in 1909 with money from a grant by Andrew Carnegie. A Carnegie Library is a library built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman.
This library was supported by the city of Ferndale at first. In 1915, it became part of the Humboldt County Library system. It's the only Carnegie Library in northwestern California that still works as a public library today!
Contents
Early History of the Library
Long before the current building, people in Ferndale wanted a place to read. The very first free reading room opened on February 3, 1896. It was located on the ground floor of the Gilt Edge Building. This room had books from the old town library.
The local newspaper, The Ferndale Enterprise, even shared the rules for the reading room. It said things like "Smoking, loud talking, spitting on the floor, etc. will be strictly prohibited." But sadly, this first reading room closed on February 12, 1897, because it didn't have enough support.
A few years later, on November 30, 1904, another free public library reading room opened. This one was in the Paine building. It was at the corner of Main and Washington streets.
The Great Earthquake of 1906
On April 18, 1906, a huge earthquake hit California. It was called the Great San Francisco earthquake. Ferndale felt it too.
The Ferndale Enterprise newspaper reported that the Paine building was damaged. Its large glass windows were broken. The Gilt Edge building, where the first reading room had been, was completely ruined. It had to be torn down in 1908.
Building the Carnegie Library
After the earthquake, the city council of Ferndale wanted a new, strong library. In 1908, they wrote to James Bertram. He was an assistant to Andrew Carnegie. They hoped to get money from the Carnegie Foundation.
Getting the Grant
The city asked for an $8,000 grant. This amount was equal to ten times what the town would pay each year to support the library. Andrew Carnegie's foundation agreed to give the money.
Designing the Building
An architect named Warren Skellings from Eureka, California, designed the new library. He planned a one-story building made of strong, reinforced concrete. It was designed in the Classical Revival style. This style often uses elements from ancient Greek and Roman buildings.
The building would fit on a 40-foot by 40-foot area. This land was given to the town by Adam Putnam. His gift came with a rule: if the land wasn't used for a library, it would go back to him.
On April 12, 1909, the job of building the library was given to Ackerman and Ackerman of Eureka. They would build it for $7,775.40. The city of Ferndale agreed to loan extra money for things like furniture.
Temporary Library Locations
While the new library was being built, the old Paine building was rented out. It became a movie theater. So, in May 1909, the library moved again. It went to the Brelle Building. This building was at Main and Shaw streets.
On October 29, 1909, another earthquake hit. It was a 6.0 magnitude earthquake. It broke the large glass panes in the front of the Brelle building.
Naming the Library
As the new building was almost finished, people wondered about its name. They asked why it said "Ferndale Library" instead of "Carnegie Library."
The Ferndale Enterprise newspaper explained on November 5, 1909. It said that Mr. Carnegie himself didn't want his name on the buildings. He preferred it to be left off. But a small sign would be placed inside the building to remember his gift.
Opening the New Library
Building the library took a bit longer than expected. A wood-burning furnace and electrical parts needed to be shipped and installed. The city council was worried because they were still paying rent for the temporary library.
Finally, on March 15, 1910, the new library building was ready. The library officially opened its doors on April 2, 1910.
By 1911, the Ferndale Village Club ladies started to plant trees and flowers around the library. They also put in cement walkways. But a neighbor's cattle kept getting onto the library grounds and eating the new plants!
In 1912, strong concrete walls were built to keep the cattle out. The library trustees were also able to pay back the $264.40 the town had loaned them. In 1915, the Ferndale Library became a branch of the Humboldt County Library System.
The building has been well cared for over the years. A new furnace was added in 1926. In 1977, a back addition was built. This added a children's room, a bathroom, and storage space. But the original style and furniture were kept.
The Ferndale Public Library is very special. It is one of only two Carnegie Grant libraries in northwestern California. The other was in Eureka. But only the Ferndale Library still works as a public library today. It even has its original bookcases and furniture!
National Register of Historic Places digitized photos, December 10, 1990 National Register of Historic Places digitized text, December 10, 1990
