Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near Los Gatos in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Alma College Original Library

Built 1934

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 1, 2024

1. Alma College Original Library Marker

Inscription. When the Jesuits opened Alma College in 1934, they already had nearly 15,000 books that needed a home. This library was touted as a state-of-the-art, fireproof building that would keep even rare tomes safe.

To protect the building, Midpen refurbished the original shingle siding and replaced the roof with composite material. Special window screens were installed to keep animals out while allowing for air circulation inside.

Erected 2023 by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 37° 10.929′ N, 122° 0.109′ W. Marker is near Los Gatos, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. It can be reached from Bear Creek Road south of Mellotts Road, on the left when traveling south. The resin marker is mounted to a metal post on the walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Gatos CA 95033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Millionaires transformed this place into a land of luxury (a few steps from this marker); From Rec Room to a Place of Prayer (within shouting distance of this marker);

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The Marian Shrine (within shouting distance of this marker); Tevis’ Mansion, Lost to Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); Courtyard Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Alma College Library Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); Remnant of the Alma College Classroom (within shouting distance of this marker); From Ruins to Roost (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Gatos.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Alma College

Also see . . . Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve

"Prevented from becoming a golf course and country club with luxury residences by a coalition of environmental activists, the land was far from pristine. It was extensively logged in the mid-1800s and briefly became a fish farm before being developed into a massive self-sufficient estate that passed between a couple of California's wealthiest families. The Catholic order of the Society of Jesus later repurposed the estate buildings to open
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 1, 2024

2. Alma College Original Library & Marker
Alma College, a theologate to train Jesuit priests."

(Submitted on July 5, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Alma College Original Library (foreground) and Chapel (background) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 1, 2024

3. Alma College Original Library (foreground) and Chapel (background)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.