First+Library+Building+(c1902)

From the "City of Forest Grove, Washington County Cultural Resource Inventory," June 1984:


 * Resource No**.: 14
 * Present Owner**: City of Forest Grove
 * Tax Lot**: 8200
 * Condition**: Good
 * Location**: 2019-21st Avenue, Forest Grove, Or.
 * Construction Date**: ca. 1902
 * Use - Present**: music store
 * Use - Original**: city library
 * Theme**: Education: Libraries
 * Type**: building (commercial)

The former Rogers City Library building is one story high, on the northwest corner of 221st Avenue and College Way. The building has a flat roof with brown painted stucco siding covering the brick walls. One small stucco sided chimney is seen on the north facade.
 * Architectural Description**:

The recessed main entry is on the south facade. Access to the building is gained through two plate-glass doors with metal sash, which have replaced the originals. A three-paneled wooden door with an arched transom is on the east facade. The windows on the main (south) facade are two bays of large, fixed panes on either side of the entry which have replaced the originals. These window bays are separated by wide piers. Above the door and windows is a small shingled awning. Segmental arched windows of four fixed lights and decorative transoms are on the east facade. Recessed panels are square, decorative stucco projections.

There is a small shed roof addition on the rear (north) building facade. The former library building shares a common wall with the Hope Food Co-op.


 * **Sources Consulted**:
 * Gilbert, Margaret. "History of the Forest Grove Library." Forest Grove, Oregon.
 * Washington County Tax Records of Forest Grove, 1902-1909.
 * Sanborn Fires Insurance Co. Maps of Washington County. 1888, 1892, 1902, 1912.

The building is situated at the edge of the downtown Forest Grove business district on the northwest corner of 21st Avenue and College Way. The front facade of the building faces south on to 21st Avenue. Across College Way to the east is the Pacific University College Campus. Other businesses align 21st Avenue; the Church of Christ is sited opposite the former library, to the south.
 * Contextual Description**:

It is unclear as to exactly when the former library building was first constructed. Mrs. Adeline Rogers, who donated the library to the City in 1909, obtained ownership to the property in 1907. Sandborn Fire Insurance maps dating 1892 and 1902 show a wooden gymnasium in the location of the library building. By 1912, Sandborn Fire Insurance maps show that the large building had been divided into three sections; the eastern section of the building was designated as the library, constructed of brick. The value of the lot and the improvements increased to $400.00 by 1908. The following year the value increased another $200.00.
 * Architectural and Historical Significance**:

the library was situated on a long, narrow lot which was 25 feet wide and 100 feet long. The library was only 90 feet long because the back 10 ft. of the lot were taken up by an alley which allowed access to the adjacent buildings. Entry to the building was through the reading room. To the north of this room was a second room filled with bookcases and a storage room beyond. One entered the restroom from the storage room, or through an outside entrance off of College Way.

On April 15, 1909, Mrs. Rogers went before the notary public and sold the land and building to the City of Forest Grove; the building was later known as the Rogers Free Library. The City promised to maintain the reading room and restroom every day except Sunday.

Mr. Adeline Rogers was the widow of Doctor George Oscar Rogers, who passed away in January of 1900 at the age of 68. Mr. Rogers had spent many years in various parts of the world prior to settling in Forest Grove. They traveled to Hong Kong in 1873 where Mr. Rogers set up a very successful practice. While in the Orient, the couple collected many valuable pieces of porcelain, which are now on exhibit at the Boston Art Museum.

The Rogers Free Library operated until July 1919, when a fire destroyed the roof and part of the walls; a total loss of $5,000.00 was incurred. One month later, Mr. J. S. Loynes received a contract for 2, 337.00 from the City to rebuild the library. Concrete floors were constructed and the building was sided in cream colored brick. The front building facade was reconstructed as it was prior to the fire. The library was reopened in 1921 and served the public at this location until 1978, when the library was moved to a new building on Pacific Avenue.

The library building is significant in its association with Mrs. Rogers, who generously donated her building and property to the City of Forest Grove. Though the building has survived a fire, it was rebuilt in the same location and served Forest Grove citizens for 69 years. The library restroom was also highly praised by Forest Grove old timers. The building remains important to the City of Forest Grove as the first city library, still in good condition.


 * **Sources consulted (continued)**:
 * //Forest Grove News-Times//, July 6, 1933.
 * Report and Reccomentatin of the Historical / Open Space / Cultural Preservation Committee. City of Forest Grove, July, 1978.