Grass Valley Public Library, Neoclassical Carnegie library in Grass Valley, California.
Grass Valley Public Library is a red brick building with white pilasters and classical architectural details located at the corner of Mill and Neal Streets in downtown Grass Valley. The upper floor houses adult services and computers while the lower floor offers dedicated spaces for children and teenagers.
The building was constructed in 1916 using a grant from Andrew Carnegie and replaced an earlier library operated by Emmanuel Church since 1901. This foundation followed the wave of Carnegie libraries that spread across America in the early 1900s.
The library carries the name of philosopher Josiah Royce, who lived at this location and shaped local intellectual life. This naming choice reflects the building's connection to an important thinker in American philosophy.
The building sits at the intersection of two main streets downtown, making it easy to reach on foot from surrounding areas. Visitors should expect to find different levels organized clearly for different age groups.
The building earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 for its architectural and historical importance to California. This recognition highlights how the structure matters to the story of the region.
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