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

Inscription. 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 Mateo County. Marker is at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Walnut Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Grand Avenue

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 Walnut Avenue, South San Francisco CA 94080, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South San Francisco.

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). PDF brochure of a map of the "Grand Walk", including route, photo, and information about each stop on the way. (Submitted on July 9, 2021.)

Grand Avenue Library and Marker image. Click for full size.

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.

Grand Avenue Library entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 7, 2021

3. Grand Avenue Library entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.