Historic Designation for "Library Hall" in Tulare
I came across your [contact information] on the internet along with a discussion about a picture of a large roundhouse that existed at one time in Tulare. I thought you might be able to help me with some other Tulare railroad history research.
Although Tulare was at one time a prominent railroad hub, about the only official building that remains from that era is something that we refer to locally as the "Women's Clubhouse," but that was originally built as "Library Hall" to serve SP employees and their families. The City owns the building and would like to pursue National Register status for it. It has been in continuous use since its completion in 1882. I'm looking for architectural plans, etc. for it and thought you might be able to help me focus my search.
Laurel Barton
Management Analyst
City of Tulare Recreation, Parks & Library Dept.
posted from CPRR Discussion Group at 9:00 AM
5 Comments:
From: "Wyatt, Kyle" kwyatt@parks.ca.gov
While it is always possible that drawings of the building survive (and I've included our library staff on the off chance that we might actually have something), it is not something that I hold my breath on. Perhaps better to have a Historic American Building Survey or Historic American engineering Record (both run by National Park Service) project document the building as it survives in CAD drawings, etc.
I've also included the Central Pacific RR discussion group, in case someone there knows of something.
Kyle K. Wyatt
California State Railroad Museum
From: "Wendell Huffman" wwhuffma@clan.lib.nv.us
While I have nothing that would likely aid the project, I do wonder if the structure is wood, stone, or brick.
As a railroad historian and librarian, I suspect the structure might be unique among existing buildings. I just don't know how many former railroad libraries might still exist. I am certain that the railroad's role in providing employees, communities, and passengers with library materials is generally unknown. I would suggest Richard Orsi at CSU East Bay might be a worthwhile contact, if only for context. I think you have the makings of a worthy project, both as an excuse for research into a forgotten aspect of community-railroad cooperation, and to develop the significance of Tulare's particular structure. I wonder if there might not be a funding source to help develop an HABS report within the library community. A very quick search for railroad library in the HABS site produced 26 hits, none of which seem (to me) to have any connection with a library (a more thorough search is warranted).
—Wendell
From: kylewyatt@aol.com
I passed a copy of this string on to Rich O'conner, head of HABS-HAER, to see if they might have any interest in documenting the structure.? Funding the project would be a separate process, likely seeking grants, but a HABS-HAER documentary package and a National Register Nomination might make an attractive package to some granting organizations.
—Kyle
From: "Laurel Barton" LBarton@ci.tulare.ca.us
Thank you for your interest and your reply.
The building is wood on a brick foundation. The building itself is in remarkably good condition, but the brick foundation is deteriorating. The original main room has a stage at one end which hosted traveling entertainers, speech contests, school graduations, etc. Tulare at one time had substantial SP operations centered here so the building was constructed as part of building an SP community of worker housing, parks, etc. A local history book contains a lengthy description of the grand ball and what attendees were wearing on the evening of the building's dedication.
In the ensuing years after SP moved most of their operations south to Bakersfield, the building became known as the Women's Clubhouse and hosted all sorts of community activities. A communitywide bout with the Spanish flu in 1918 resulted in the building being used as a hospital by installing rows of cots. Many years later, it became the City's first Senior Center and a large kitchen was added on. Now it is rented out for classes, weddings, etc.
Laurel Barton
Management Analyst
City of Tulare Recreation, Parks & Library Dept.
From: "Wendell Huffman" wwhuffma@clan.lib.nv.us
I should point out/remind folks of my earlier questions (some months ago) about the Library indicated as railroad property on the Wadsworth station plat (of the 1880s). I do believe that railroad libraries on the CP-SP system existed in various, now-forgotten, locations. I personally think it somewhat exciting to think that one of them-from the pre-Carnegie library era-still exists. How much can be made of the building's history may depend upon how much of the original fabric still exists. I'd love to see photos.
—Wendell
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