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Downtown Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

Berkeley Public Library

City of Berkeley Landmark - Designated 1982

 
 
Berkeley Public Library Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 28, 2012
1. Berkeley Public Library Marker
Inscription.
James W. Plachek, Architect, 1930
Addition, Ripley/BOORA Architects, 1999
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Berkeley’s first free public library system was established in 1895, with branches in west and south Berkeley. The Shattuck family gave the land for the construction of the first library on this site, which was made possible by a donation from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It was demolished in 1930 to build a new and larger library designed by Berkeley architect James Plachek.

This building is an impressive example of Art Deco or zigzag Moderne style with cement plaster chevrons above the window bays and stylized ram’s head pilaster caps. The sgraffito frieze by Simeon Pelenc depicts Egyptian-style figures engaged in book production. Citizen support of a 1996 bond issue allowed the building to be renovated, seismically retrofitted, and expanded.
 
Erected 2011 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: ArchitectureCharity & Public WorkEducation. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
 
Location. 37° 52.096′ N, 122° 16.112′ 
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W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown Berkeley. Marker is on Kittredge Street near Shattuck Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2290 Kittredge Street, Berkeley CA 94704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Morse Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Tupper & Reed Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Armstrong College Building (about 300 feet away); Elks Club Building (about 400 feet away); United States Post Office (about 500 feet away); Berkeley Y.M.C.A. (about 600 feet away); Site of John Hinkel Livery Stable, 1900 (about 600 feet away); Berkeley High School Alumni: Chinaka Hodge, Phil Lesh, Joshua Redman, The Lonely Island (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.
 
Berkeley Public Library Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 28, 2012
2. Berkeley Public Library Marker
The marker is on the right side of the building.
Berkeley Public Library Entrance image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 28, 2012
3. Berkeley Public Library Entrance
Frieze on the Berkeley Public Library image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 28, 2012
4. Frieze on the Berkeley Public Library
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on February 8, 2012. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 29, 2024