Petaluma in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Petaluma Historical Library and Museum

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 29, 2009

1. Petaluma Historical Library and Museum Marker

Inscription. The "Old Carnegie Library", begun in 1904, served Petaluma from 1906 until the new library was built in 1976. This first major building by local architect Brainerd Jones is noted for its freestanding dome with stained glass, and use of locally quarried "sandstone". Its 1978 re-dedication as research library and historical museum was the city's Bicentennial Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 38° 13.964′ N, 122° 38.386′ W. Marker is in Petaluma, California, in Sonoma County. It is at the intersection of Foruth Street and B Street on Foruth Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Fourth Street, Petaluma CA 94952, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Wine Country,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cases Horseshoeing (within shouting distance of this marker); United Methodist Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bill Soberanes (approx. ¼ mile away); Volpi's Grocery (approx. ¼ mile away); Sergeant Richard A. Penry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Petaluma Train Depot (approx. 0.4 miles

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away); The Burdell Building (approx. half a mile away); The Willow Creek Inn (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petaluma.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a pole directly in front of the library.

Also see . . .
1. The Petaluma Museum. The museum's website, introducing visitors to the museums exhibits on the egg and dairy industries, Miwok Indians, its historic fire engine, and life in Petaluma. (Submitted on April 3, 2009.)

2. Carnegie Libraries of California - Petaluma. The Carnegie Libraries of California Project's description and history of the library, including photographs. (Submitted on April 3, 2009.)

Petaluma Historical Library and Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 29, 2009

2. Petaluma Historical Library and Museum

Petaluma Historical Library - Columns and Pediment image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 29, 2009

3. Petaluma Historical Library - Columns and Pediment

A Carnegie Library grant of $12,500 assisted the City of Petaluma in constructing this Greek Revival style library, which opened in 1906 and served as the city's main library for seventy years.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,664 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.