Tri-City History A-Z in Photographs #12: Library

Looking at the East Bay libraries and library patrons of yesteryear

By: Kelsey Camello, for the Washington Township Museum of Local History

December 31, 2024

Library (noun): A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals and online resources for people to read, borrow or refer to.

The Washington Hotel, with the Mission San Jose branch library on the lower floor, around 1910. The library was in the northwest corner of the building, and the building was located on the east side of Vallejo Street (now Mission Boulevard) just south of the Old Mission buildings. (Mission San Jose) All photos courtesy of Washington Township Museum of Local History.

Interior of the Newark Library, 1911. This first Alameda County Library unincorporated Newark location was housed in a bungalow on Filbert Street, furnished by the Newark Development Company. Newark’s first librarian was Mabel Fowler Callow. She is seen here working at her desk in the back room. (Newark)

Warm Springs Library, pictured around 1920. Joseph S. Brown and Manuel Azeveda established the Warm Springs Library in February 1912 in the same building that housed the general merchandise store. In 1960, the library was closed and an Alameda County Library Bookmobile began service in the same location. (Warm Springs)

Albert Norris Senior and his grandchild stand in front of the Alvarado Library. The County Free library stood at today’s Smith Street and Vallejo Street. The building is now gone, replaced by the Old Alvarado Public Parking Plaza. The Alameda County Free Library logo can be seen on the building. (Alvarado)

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Tri-City History A-Z in Photographs #12: Library