Doris Foley Library for Historical Research
Encyclopedia
The Doris Foley Library for Historical Research (formerly: Nevada City Free Public Library and Nevada City Library; colloquially: Carnegie Library or Foley) is a reference and research library in Nevada City
, in Nevada County, California
. Built in 1907, the Romanesque Revival
style building is currently a branch of the Nevada County Library System.
Library that was established 1874, was transferred to the city in 1902, and the library was moved to the Corcoran Building next to the historic Nevada Theatre
.
The women of Nevada City urged the library trustees to seek Carnegie funds, and, in 1904, the trustees received a grant for $10,000. Bids were opened the following year, and the estimated completion date of a new library was 1906. As the library committee believed it might receive an additional $5,000 from Carnegie, plans were made for a more elaborate building, but on October 13, 1905, the trustees were notified there would be no additional funding, necessitating changes to the plans. William H. Weeks
was the architect, while Watsonville
's W.J. Wilkerson of Graniterock
was the builder. Organized as the Civic Improvement Club, the city's women were the landscape planners. Furnishings cost $1,000. The library was dedicated on October 4, 1907.
Miss Annie James was the librarian in 1919. By 1923, the Nevada City Free Library had 1,782 volumes, increasing to 7,555 volumes by 1927, when Iva Williamson was the librarian.
building, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) in 1990.
Another Carnegie library and NRHP, Grass Valley
's Royce Library
, is in the neighboring town. The Foley is located at 211 North Pine Street, on the southwest corner of Pine and York streets, across from the Nevada County Court House. It is situated on a steeply sloping lot, 150 ft (45.7 m) by 50 ft (15.2 m), purchased by the city from the county at a cost of $700.
architectural style by Weeks, the architect of several other Northern California
Carnegie libraries. The seven room, single story plus basement building was constructed by Wilkerson using dark gray man-made stone, plus both rough and smooth concrete blocks, fabricated on location. It features a dark brick facade, now painted white, and a partially exposed cement foundation. A cement stairway leads from the road to the arched doorways.
Two arched windows are situated in the foyer, the side one being smaller, and the larger front one being of stained glass depicting the lamp of knowledge. There are numerous other windows, rectangular in shape.
The interior has not changed much in layout. It includes a black and white checkered floor.
. On May 17, 1997, it was renamed the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research in honor of local teacher, historian and writer, Doris Foley, the wife of a gold-mining engineer.
In October 2003, the library received the Arthur Cecil Todd Cornish Studies Collection, named in honor of Dr. Todd, author of The Cornish Miner in America: The Contribution to the Mining History of the United States by Emigrant Cornish Miners--The Men Called Cousin Jacks.
Nevada City, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Nevada City had a population of 3,068. The population density was 1,399.7 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Nevada City was 2,837 White, 26 African American, 28 Native American, 46 Asian, 0 Pacific Islander, 40 from other races,...
, in Nevada County, California
Nevada County, California
Nevada County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of California, in the Mother Lode country. As of 2010 its population was 98,764. The county seat is Nevada City.-History:Nevada County was created in 1851 from parts of Yuba County....
. Built in 1907, the Romanesque Revival
Romanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
style building is currently a branch of the Nevada County Library System.
History
With beginnings as an 1849 mining town, Nevada City had a reading room as early as 1850. Becoming a settlement, it boasted a library association in less than a decade, followed by a YMCA reading room and library in 1869. Ownership of an Odd FellowsIndependent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows , also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar British Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 18th century, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were...
Library that was established 1874, was transferred to the city in 1902, and the library was moved to the Corcoran Building next to the historic Nevada Theatre
Nevada Theatre
The Nevada Theatre, also known as the Cedar Theatre, located in downtown Nevada City, California, is California's oldest existing theater building...
.
The women of Nevada City urged the library trustees to seek Carnegie funds, and, in 1904, the trustees received a grant for $10,000. Bids were opened the following year, and the estimated completion date of a new library was 1906. As the library committee believed it might receive an additional $5,000 from Carnegie, plans were made for a more elaborate building, but on October 13, 1905, the trustees were notified there would be no additional funding, necessitating changes to the plans. William H. Weeks
W. H. Weeks
William Henry Weeks was an early 20th century architect who designed hundreds of buildings including many schools, banks, and libraries. He was well-known for his monumental Greek Revival neoclassical style of architecture, although he also employed other architectural styles. His offices were...
was the architect, while Watsonville
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
's W.J. Wilkerson of Graniterock
Graniterock
Graniterock is a 100+ year old American corporation based in Watsonville, California. It operates in the construction industry providing crushed gravel, sand, concrete and asphalt. The company won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1992 and has been named one of Fortune Magazine's Best...
was the builder. Organized as the Civic Improvement Club, the city's women were the landscape planners. Furnishings cost $1,000. The library was dedicated on October 4, 1907.
Miss Annie James was the librarian in 1919. By 1923, the Nevada City Free Library had 1,782 volumes, increasing to 7,555 volumes by 1927, when Iva Williamson was the librarian.
Landmark
Situated in a historic Carnegie libraryCarnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
building, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP) in 1990.
Another Carnegie library and NRHP, Grass Valley
Grass Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Grass Valley had a population of 12,860. The population density was 2,711.3 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Grass Valley was 11,493 White, 46 African American, 208 Native American, 188 Asian, 9 Pacific Islander, 419 from other...
's Royce Library
Grass Valley Public Library
The Grass Valley Public Library is a Carnegie library and on the National Register of Historic Places...
, is in the neighboring town. The Foley is located at 211 North Pine Street, on the southwest corner of Pine and York streets, across from the Nevada County Court House. It is situated on a steeply sloping lot, 150 ft (45.7 m) by 50 ft (15.2 m), purchased by the city from the county at a cost of $700.
Architecture
The building was designed in a Romanesque RevivalRomanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
architectural style by Weeks, the architect of several other Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
Carnegie libraries. The seven room, single story plus basement building was constructed by Wilkerson using dark gray man-made stone, plus both rough and smooth concrete blocks, fabricated on location. It features a dark brick facade, now painted white, and a partially exposed cement foundation. A cement stairway leads from the road to the arched doorways.
Two arched windows are situated in the foyer, the side one being smaller, and the larger front one being of stained glass depicting the lamp of knowledge. There are numerous other windows, rectangular in shape.
The interior has not changed much in layout. It includes a black and white checkered floor.
Gold Rush reference library
After the Madelyn Helling Library was built in the Nevada County's Rood Administrative Center in the late 1990s, the Carnegie library became a research and reference library for local history and the California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. On May 17, 1997, it was renamed the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research in honor of local teacher, historian and writer, Doris Foley, the wife of a gold-mining engineer.
Signage
There are several signs and plaques on the outside of the building noting the library's various names:- "Public Library": large, block letters above the front door; part of the original design.
- "Doris Foley Library for Historical Research": lettering on the glass of the front door.
- "Nevada County Library, Local History Research Center, National Register of Historic Places, December 10, 1990": plaque to the right of the front door
- "Nevada City Public Library": plaque to the left of the front door. In total, it states: Library Association formed December 19, 1857. First library was in Kidd-Knox Bldg. 228 Broad St. It was moved to Oustomah Lodge I.O.O.F. No. 16, June 3, 1874. Nevada City Trustees assumed responsibilities Oct. 1, 1902 and was moved into the Corcoran Bldg. next to the Nevada Theatre. The Carnegie Endowment was given to the city in 1904. The present library was dedicated Oct. 4, 1907. City groups raised funds for furnishings and beautified grounds 1911.
Materials
Book capacity is 8,000, and the current automation system is Horizon. There are maps and records dating back to 1856, a Genealogy Room and an Assessor's Books area.In October 2003, the library received the Arthur Cecil Todd Cornish Studies Collection, named in honor of Dr. Todd, author of The Cornish Miner in America: The Contribution to the Mining History of the United States by Emigrant Cornish Miners--The Men Called Cousin Jacks.