Roseville in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Roseville Carnegie Library

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 21, 2010

1. Roseville Carnegie Library Marker

Inscription. Concerned by the lack of adequate library facilities in 1910, the Women’s Improvement Club convinced the City Board of Trustees to contribute $2,000 and to apply to Andrew Carnegie for a $10,000 grant which they received on April 25, 1911. The land for the building was donated by local businessman A.B. McRae. The library was dedicated on October 12, 1912 and served the citizens of Roseville as a library and meeting place until November 7, 1982.

The Roseville Historical Society and the City of Roseville has restored and preserved this building for the continued use by its citizens of Roseville.

Erected 1988 by Roseville Historical Society. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1928.

Location. 38° 45.225′ N, 121° 17.125′ W. Marker is in Roseville, California, in Placer County. Marker is on Lincoln Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 557 Lincoln Street, Roseville CA 95678, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carnegie Museum (here, next to this marker); Onyx Club (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); McRae Building

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(about 600 feet away); Chicago West Building (about 800 feet away); Bank of Italy Building (about 800 feet away); Roseville The Beginning (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Owl Club Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Incorporation (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roseville.

Also see . . . Roseville Carnegie Library. Roseville's library began as an alternative to saloons as entertainment for the many young men who arrived in 1906, when the Southern Pacific established Roseville as a division point. (Submitted on October 24, 2010.)

Additional commentary.
1. Alexander Bell McRae (1853 – 1932)
Alexander McRae, a native of Canada, became a resident of Roseville in 1876. He was an early day agriculturist and businessman. When the Southern Pacific Railroad revealed in December 1905 that it was going to relocate its transfer facilities from Rocklin to Roseville, McRae turned his attention to real estate and handled most of the land acquisitions.

In 1911, McRae donated the land for

Roseville Carnegie Library and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 21, 2010

2. Roseville Carnegie Library and Marker

Marker is located at the base of the flagpole.
The building now houses the Roseville Carnegie Library Musuem and the Roseville Historical Society.

the Carnegie Library with the provision that the site be used for a library “…now and forever….”

McRae died on June 2, 1932, two weeks short of his 80th birthday.

— Submitted October 22, 2010.

Additional keywords. Carnegie Library

Roseville Carnegie Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 21, 2010

3. Roseville Carnegie Library

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 21, 2010

4. Roseville Carnegie Library

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 21, 2010

5. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

Mounted on the building to the right of the entrance door.
Carnegie Library
Circa 1912
Has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
By the United States
Department of the Interior

Alexander Bell McRae (1853 – 1932) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 21, 2010

6. Alexander Bell McRae (1853 – 1932)

This portrait is on display at the Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,127 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on February 9, 2011, by Jim Martinez of Rocklin, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 22, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.