South San Francisco in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Grand Avenue Library
"The Grand Walk"
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 7, 2021
1. Grand Avenue Library Marker
Local school teacher Rue Randall Clifford, riding horseback through the City, gathered signatures to secure a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie and build the City's first library. Carnegie gave away much of his fortune, around $60 million, to build nearly 1,700 libraries across the country. On August 15, 1916, South San Francisco's Carnegie Library opened its doors to the public. In 1951, the main room of the Library was expanded and a children's wing, with a Wynken, Blynken and Nod tile mural, was added. In 2016, one hundred years after first opening its doors, the Library was renovated extensively, moving the children's area to a larger space, creating a classroom and adding an outdoor patio.
Est. 1916
Erected 2017 by City of South San Francisco, Historical Society of South San Francisco. (Marker Number 2.)
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 date for this entry is August 15, 1916.
Location. 37° 39.371′ N, 122° 24.845′ W. Marker is in South San Francisco, California, in San
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Grand Avenue Library (a few steps from this marker); City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Enterprise Journal (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Women's Club (about 400 feet away); General Hospital (about 600 feet away); South San Francisco General Hospital (about 600 feet away); Eikerenkotter House (about 700 feet away); St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 7, 2021
2. Grand Avenue Library and Marker
The marker is visible here to the left of the steps leading up from the sidewalk.
More about this marker. This is the second of eleven stops on the city's "The Grand Walk", a self-guided tour of the historic sites and buildings along or in the vicinity of Grand Avenue.
Also see . . . Welcome to the South San Francisco's "The Grand Walk". City of South San Francisco brochure of a map of the "Grand Walk", including route, photo, and information about each stop on the way. (Submitted on July 9, 2021.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 7, 2021
3. Grand Avenue Library entrance
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
