Oakland Free Library--Alden Branch
historic place
The Oakland Free Library's Alden Branch, now known as the Temescal Branch, opened its doors in 1918 at 5205 Telegraph Avenue. This historic building was designed in the Tudor Revival style by architects Charles W. Dickey and John J. Donovan. It was one of only two Tudor Revival Carnegie libraries ever built in California. The library was constructed with funds from a 1914 grant by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who supported the creation of numerous libraries across the United States. The Alden Branch served a working-class neighborhood, including a significant Italian population, and offered books in Italian. In 1949, the library was renamed the Temescal Branch. This change honored World War II veterans, a request made by the Temescal Merchants' Association. The name Temescal refers to the local creek and had become more commonly used for the area than Alden. Today, the building is recognized as an Oakland Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having continuously served the community as a library since its opening.