THE OARD AND

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f The Pacific Grove Heritage Society

December/January 2004

Photo taken at the Pacific Grove Library Christmas Party - Story Hour in the

Children's Room on December 18, 1956. Mural was donated by local artist

Harold Vanaker

Front row: (L to R) Jean Turner, Doug Pottharst, Karen Turner, Larry Larson Second row: George Nanderr, Milton Williams, Susie Gammons, Billie Gammons, Linda Klann, Ginger Givich Back row: Christine Wilson, Dale Wilson, Bobby Merritt, Mary Ann Paul, Warren Merritt Standing: Mrs. Nina Post, Story-teller

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Research Question

Question: An early photo showed landscaping between the library building and Central Avenue. Was the Library moved closer to Central? This question was raised by the publisher.

Answer: The Pacific Grove library was built in 1906 with Carnegie funds and open to the public in 1908. The building was enlarged in 1926, 1938, 1950 and 1978. The designation as a Carnegie Library was dropped in 1938. The Board and Batten double issue for August­November covered the dedication and the early days of the library. This volume covers the issues faced by the Library Board and Librarian as Pacific Grove transitioned from a church camp settlement to a 201h century city. This volume brings the library to the threshold for the next expansion project.

In answering the question, the enlargements of 1926, 1938, 1950 and 1978 filled in the space between the building and Central to keep pace with Pacific Grove's growth in population and diversity. The building was not moved and Central was not rerouted.

Libraries being modest institutions seem to have few self promoting pictures. The only illustration or picture of the library in the '50� _is shown here from the architect, Robert R. Jones, "Proposed Add1t10ns, 1949".

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Front elevation showing the 1950 addition to the library

Head Librarian Retires From the Monterey Peninsula Herald of May 17, 1962

October 31. That is the date when 35 years of dedicated service to the Pacific Grove Public Library come to a close for Mrs. Josephine Van Deren, retiring as head librarian.

P. G. Alum Mrs. Van Deren also is a product of the public schools of Pacific Grove. She started school there as a first grader and went on to complete high school (Editor's Note: Her father operated Gardner stables and later garage) before taking a degree in music at the University of The Pacific. She received her library certificate in 1933 from the State of California. Many Pacific Grove and Monterey Peninsula residents will remember her writing of the first historical pageant in the early 1940's of the butterfly celebration. She has also had a play produced at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Keep Up Writing Retirement for Mrs. Van Deren will be hard work on her writing. "When I was a little girl, I used to go by the library and wish I could live in a fine house like that. In those days it had just three rooms with a beautiful, large fireplace. I sort of got my wish, didn't I?" She looked around her small office. Books are everywhere, on her desk, window sill, and on top of each other on the shelves. As for her work at the library, Mrs. Van Deren's record stands for itself.

The scene has changed for the better since 1927, and for the most part Mrs. Van Deren is responsible for the advancement made. Instead of the fireplace, there now is a $7200 wing, which was built in 1938. Changing the building into a "U" shape are two additions built in 1950. Over all, she has promoted more than $50,000 worth of remodeling at the library.

Saved Funds "The largest job was the one in 1950. We asked for bond election to

raise the money, but we didn't get it. So, over the years, I saved money from our budget. Then we borrowed some from the city. When the construction was finally completed the new wings cost $37,000.

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We paid most of that out of our budget, and the balance was repaid to the city," Mrs. Van Deren proudly explained. She walked past the circulation desk and to the front door. "This was once the front porch. Yes, we really have expanded. At one time we only had 14,000 books now we have more than 47,000. "I could say more, but there just isn't time to talk about the past," she said.

Mrs; Josephine Van Deren at her retirement reception in a 1962 newspaper photo

New Books At P. G. Library From the Pacific Grove Tribune of April 13, 1945

Books added during March at Pacific Grove public library:

Non-fiction R. Robson, The Pacific Islands Year Book James Thurber, The Thurber Carnival Harold E. Steams, America Now Thomas M Pearce, The Beloved House Dave Robeson, Al G. Barnes: Master Showman Homer Croy, Country Cured H. Swiggett, James Oliver Curwood Otto Eeisenschimel, Without Fame Netta W. Wilson, Alfred Owre Harry A. Smith, Lost in the Horse Latitudes Matt Warner, The Last of the Bandit Riders Richard Wright, Black Boy Herbert L. Merillat, The Island Lin Yu-T'ang, The Vigil of a Nation

Fiction Helen Ashton, pseudo., Yeoman's Hospital Temple Bailey, Red Fruit Ethel Bangert, Rosemary and Rue Vicky Baum, Once in Vienna Dorothy Black, The Sun Is Near Octavus R. Cohen, Danger in Paradise Mignon G. Eberhart, Wings of Fear Alfredo de Escragnolle, Taunay, Inocencia Mrs. Christine N Govan, Jennifer's House John Gunther, The Troubled Midnight Robert S. Hichens, Young Mrs. Brand Archie Joscelyn, Sign of the Gun Walter Karig, Lower Than Angels Stanley Kauffmann, This Time Forever Shelley Mydans, The Open City Mrs. Helen Miller, Wicked Sister Norma Newcomb, A Small Town Girl Anne Parrish, Poor Child

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Honor To Whom Honor Is Due

From the Pacific Grove Review of April 13, 1945

An Army nurse is commended for three years of over-seas duty this week in the Pacific Grove police court, and the fine was remitted. The nurse, looking very dapper in her military uniform, stepped hesitantly into Judge Way's courtroom Said the judge, glancing at the ticket, "Guilty or not guilty." Said the nurse, "I did over-park while getting a hair do." "Fine, one dollar." As the nurse left the courtroom Chief McAnaney remarked, "Did you notice the over-seas stripes?" Said the judge, "No, but I will look into the matter."

He did, and later remarked to the nurse, "A young lady who has performed such valorous duty as you have in nursing our wounded boys over-seas for a period of three years should have a permanent downtown parking place allotted her as long as she makes this city her home. BUT-my action today establishes no permanent precedent, and I would advise you and all other motorists who are down town for an indefinite period, to park their cars in one of the four free parking lots available.

Books continued

Thomas H. Raddall, Roger Sudden Herbert Shapiro, Gunsmoke Over Utah Frank G. Slaughter, A Touch of Glory Simon Stone, Knight Missing Frank Swinnerton, A Woman in Sunshine Harry Sylvester, Dayspring Booth Tarkington, Image of Josephine Mrs. Angela Thorkell, The Headmistress Arthur C. Train, Mr. Tutt Finds a Way Louis Trimble, Murder Trouble Joseph Wittlin, Salt of the Earth

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P. G Library Limited On Disposal of Books From the Monterey Peninsula Herald of August 5, 1961

Editor's note: The close relationship between the city government and the library is evident in the following article.

Pacific Grove's city council last night declined to grant the library board blanket authority to dispose of worn-out, outdated and "redundant" books. The council decided the library board would have to submit a list of books it wants to get rid of to the council each month for approval. Councilmen decided to require the list after City Atty Henry Jorgensen told them that giving the library board blanket authority might constitute illegal delegation of legislative powers. Jorgensen said it would be all right, as suggested by Councilman Arch Balchin, to give the board authority to dispose of a certain amount of books-say up to $ 100 worth-each month without reference to specific titles.

Warning The list was decided upon, however, largely at the insistence of Councilman Bourchard Johnson, who warned that the city could some day get a "subversive" library board which could dispose of "good American books" without anybody knowing about it unless a list of the titles were kept. Librarian Josephine Van Deren told the council that the library never disposed of any useful books, but was weeding out volumes which were "worn out physically or worn out factually."

Made Money She said no books were destroyed until efforts were first made to sell

them or give them to schools, libraries or other groups which might find them useful. She pointed out that the library had made some $45 and gained considerable needed storage space last month by selling a number of old books for 25 and 10 cents apiece. Mrs. Van Deren showed councilmen (none of whom gave it more than a glance) a list of more than 200 religious volumes and decided that those particular books were of no value to the librry, and after the state library had been offered any of the books it wanted (It wanted only 18 of them).

OKAY Disposal Councilmen approved disposal of those books. Mrs Van Deren said

she would offer them at the library's regular book sale, held on the fourth Friday of each month. She said their prices would range f\om about 35 to 75 cents. All money collected by the library for past and future sales of old books will be used to buy new books.

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To Donate Mural For PG Library From the Pacific Grove Tribune of January 27, 1950

Harold C Landaker, prominent Pacific Grove artist told the Tribune this week that he was donating a huge mural to decorate the children's room of the Pacific Grove Library. Landaker, a nationally known artist, famous for his oil paintings and ceramic work, said the mural would measure approximately six feet high to forty feet in length. It will cover the entire wall of the room. The mural is going to depict various familiar characters from children's and boy's books, such as Deerslayer, Sir Lancelot, Long John Silver from Treasure Island,

Harold Landaker with his mural in a 1950 newspaper photo

Robin Hood, and Davy Crockett, he said, and the border will show popular members of the world of Mother Goose and fairy tales.

Landaker expects to begin work on the painting this week and it will be completed in time to install for the opening of the children's room in about three months. It is to be painted on canvas in Landaker's studio.

Trike-athon From the Pacific Grove-Pebble Beach Tribune of April 29, 1981 and August 1980

Editor's note: The support of the PG community for the library belies the story of the library's mural and the children's effort to restore the mural in their reading room.

During the recent library expansion project the mural for the Children's Room was first overlooked because they thought the mural was on the wall surface but they happily discovered it was on canvas and could be moved to the new Children's Room. Before the

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mural canvas could be installed in the new quarters it had to be restored to a usable condition. However, funds had not been earmarked so the Library sponsored a Trike-athon at Robert Down School to raise the funds.

Children 3-6 years old were encouraged to participate. Entrants had to ask friends, neighbors, and relatives to pay a certain amount, from 10 cents to one dollar, for each time the entrant pedaled a lap around a three-block course. Only three-wheeled vehicles were allowed. The community merchants contributed prizes and ribbons ( each entrant got a ribbon). Friends of the Library contributed the balance of funds needed. Jennifer Spohn of Carmel did the restoration work. City crews installed the painting last week.

Dedication Photo

Photo taken at the 1977 dedication of the expansion of the Pacific Grove Library.

From Left: Leon Panetta, Congressman; Margaret MacBride, Librarian; Frank Wilkerson, Library Board; and Gary Bales, City Manager.

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Interview with Mabel Landaker Courtesy of the Pacific Grove Library. Following is an interview conducted and written by John Soares while in the fourth grade at Robert Down School in 1994

Amabel (Mabel) Beatrice Landaker came to live in Pacific Grove in 1946. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 11, 1902. Her maiden name was Holtz, and her father was born in Germany and her mother was from Sweden. She is now 91 years old. She met her husband, Harold Landaker, at the Chicago Art Institute. They were married on December 23, I 922. They moved to North Hollywood, and as the secretary to the Fire Chief at Lockheed Air Base she was the only woman on the Base. Shortly before they moved to Pacific Grove Harold came here by himself to do some painting. He saw a house for sale on 2nd and Lighthouse. He called her and she agreed to move here, having never even seen her new home.

Ceramics Harold had wanted to work with ceramics in Carmel, but they would not allow a kiln in the city limits. He could have bought The Forge in the Forest in Carmel but he really preferred Pacific Grove. The city council here would let him build a kiln if he would put tall "Cannery Stacks" on it. This would get the heat up high in the air and be safer for the neighborhood. Since they needed more room for the kiln, they bought two more lots next door for $500.00 each. At the time, Mabel thought this was very expensive. They built most of their workshop and kiln by themselves, very slowly.

Besides doing ceramics, Harold Landaker was a very good painter. He did the mural that is in the Children's room of the Pacific Grove Public Library. It took six weeks to finish and is 5 feet tall and 40 feet long. The mural is based on children's fiction, such as Alice in Wonderland, Robinson Crusoe, and has cowboys, Indians, and pirates and knights. Pacific Grove had a bicycle marathon to help raise money for it. He also taught painting and ceramics at the Pacific Grove Adult Education.

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Neighbors Mabel helped support her family by working for M.W. Crowley Real Estate, which was near the Sprouse Rietz store. While living on 2nd

street Mabel had some interesting neighbors, such as the Rudolphs of "Rudolph's Furniture", and Senator Langford and he wife, who was a decorator and friend. The Langford house is now "The Gatehouse Inn" Bed and Breakfast. Sometimes they would be visited by their friend, the author William Colt MacDonald. She also remembers many good artists and friends living on "Huckleberry Hill" which is the area up the hill on Prescott A venue.

Trains Mabel loved the old days of Pacific Grove-all but the smell of the sardine canneries on the water below. Sometimes it seemed unbearable but she still loves to eat sardines today. She enjoyed catching "The Del Monte Express" train at Lover's Point and making the trip to San Francisco and back in one day. She remembers some scary moments in their house too. In those days Lighthouse A venue was two 2-way streets. Because they were not one way as today, cars would sometimes swerve to avoid each other, and fall down from the upper embankment almost into her front yard.

Painting Mabel didn't really get into painting seriously until she won a San Francisco trophy at the local fair. She was proud to get a silver bowl for her trophy. In 1956 she became a member of the Carmel Art Association and is now a lifetime member. Her favorite style of art is French Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism. She also enjoys doing collages. For a while she played the organ on weekends at the Highlands Inn.

Mabel and Harold lived many happy years together on 2nd street and Lighthouse. After Harold died in 1966, and because of so many memories of him there, she sold their house in 1970. She lived in Carmel for a while and now has returned to Pacific Grove where she is still active in her art.

Editor's note: Mabel died in 1998. John Soares is in college.

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Tfie HeritC19e Society of Pacifk Grove

P.O. Box 1007 Pacific Grove, CA 93950 Board of Directors

President: Vice-President: Secretary: Treasurer:

Paul Finnegan Darlene Billstrom Carrol Patterson Don Beals

Jean Anton Bobbie Hall John Billstrom Kathleen O'Brien Ken Hinshaw Steve Honegger Bob Davis Muriel Pyburn Craig Riddell Jan & Ted Rose Linda Smith-Bailey

The Board and Batten Staff Publisher: John Billstrom Typesetting: Gary Sprader

The Barn Laurel & I 7th Street (83 I) 3 72-2898 Hours: Saturday I - 4 pm

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PAID Permit No. 30 Pacific Grove,

CA 93950