Grass Valley Public Library
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Grass Valley Public Library
| nrhp_type = nrhp
| image = Grass Valley Public Library.jpg
| caption = Grass Valley Library-Royce Branch
| location = 207 Mill St,
Grass Valley, California
| coordinates = {{coord|39|12|58|N|121|3|50|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = California#USA
| area =
| built = 1916
| architect = William Mooser
| architecture = Classical Revival (Type A)
| added = March 26, 1992{{NRISref|2009a}}
| mpsub = California Carnegie Libraries MPS
| refnum = 92000267
}}
The Grass Valley Public Library (renamed the Grass Valley Library-Royce Branch) is a Carnegie library and on the National Register of Historic Places.{{cite web |url=http://www.noehill.com/nevada_county_california/nat1992000267.asp |title=National Register #92000267 |access-date=2008-08-10 |publisher=noehill.com}} Located in Grass Valley, California and a part of the Nevada County Library System, it is open Tuesday through Saturday.
History
Image:GrassValleyCARoyceLibrarySign.JPG]]
There were several early attempts to establish a library in the California Gold Rush town of Grass Valley. The first was in 1860, followed by another in 1869, but neither survived. The Emmanuel Episcopal Church was established in Grass Valley in 1858,{{cite news |url=http://www.theunion.com/article/20080713/NEWS/938848687/1045%26parentprofile%3D1058 |title=Emmanuel Episcopal celebrates 150 years |access-date=2008-08-10 |last=McKinney |first=Gage |date=2008-07-13 |publisher=The Union |archive-date=2011-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524101614/http://www.theunion.com/article/20080713/NEWS/938848687/1045%26parentprofile%3D1058 |url-status=dead }} but it wasn't until 1901 that the non-denominational Emmanuel Church Library opened to provide library services to "the Atheist and the Buddhist if such there be".
A decade later, the city became the library's governing body. It requested a Carnegie grant in 1914 and received $15,000 the following year. The chosen building site, at 207 Mill Street, near the intersection of Mill and Neal Street, had been the birthplace and early home of philosopher Josiah Royce.{{cite web |url=http://www.carnegie-libraries.org/ |title=Grass Valley Library |access-date=2008-08-10 |publisher=carnegie-libraries.org}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sierranevadavirtualmuseum.com/docs/specialex/biographies/roycej.htm |title=Josiah Royce |access-date=2008-08-10 |publisher=sierranevadavirtualmuseum.com}}
In 2005, the library, now a branch of the county library system, was renamed to honor Royce.
Structure
San Francisco architect William Sebastian Mooser{{cite web |url=http://www.sfhistoryencyclopedia.com/articles/m/mooserWilliam.html |title=Mooser, William |access-date=2008-08-10 |last=Parry |first=David |publisher=sfhistoryencyclopedia.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050314064735/http://www.sfhistoryencyclopedia.com/articles/m/mooserWilliam.html |archive-date=2005-03-14 |url-status=dead }} was selected over William Weeks to design the new library. The builders were Welch Bros. and Hannemann from Oakland who also built the Gridley Carnegie Library.{{cite web |url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4520 |title=Gridley Carnegie Library Building, Gridley, CA |access-date=2008-08-10 |publisher=waymarking.com}}
The building is of Neoclassical architecture (also known as "classical revival" style). Its exterior includes red brick and white pilasters.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Grass Valley Public Library}}
- [https://www.mynevadacounty.com/290/Library Official Grass Valley Public Library website]
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{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{Cities of Nevada County, California}}
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Category:Carnegie libraries in California
Category:Public libraries in California
Category:Grass Valley, California
Category:Buildings and structures in Nevada County, California
Category:Library buildings completed in 1916
Category:Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in California
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Nevada County, California