The Acacia Library in Sunnyslope is now etched into the city of Phoenix’s history.
Phoenix City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a historic preservation overlay for the library building at 750 E. Townley Ave. It is the first public library branch in the city to receive a historic preservation overlay.
Mayor Kate Gallego called it “a beloved part of our city.”
While it is one of the oldest library branches in the city — it opened Jan. 5, 1969 — the main reason to seek the historic designation is because it was designed by renowned architect Bennie Gonzales.
Sunnyslope Historical Society President Julia Taggart spoke in front of city council before the vote. She gave the history of the first library in Sunnyslope opening in 1929 with a $450 donation from the Knights of the Round Table to purchase the building. Residents donated their time, furniture, shelves, books and magazines to get the library up and running.
“Together, they transformed an old house into something much greater than a library. They created a place for one another,” Taggart said.
It opened with 1,340 books and was the only free lending library in a 10-mile radius. The library grew as Sunnyslope grew, expanding to 9,000 books by 1953 and eventually outgrowing the original building and moving into the new building in 1969 where it had more than 50,000 books.
Phoenix’s Acacia Library, 750 E. Townley Ave., is seeking to become the first public library building in the city to receive a historic preservation designation.
(Courtesy Phoenix Public Library)
“But the numbers only tell part of the story,” Taggart said. “The real history of Acacia is written in the generations of people who have walked through its doors. It is in the children who discover their first favorite book. It is in the families who came together. It is in the neighbors who found friendship. It is in the people who needed a safe place to belong, and that continues today.”
Karen Kruse, who sits on the board of directors for the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library, thanked city council members in anticipation of their vote “to preserve this gem in our city.”
Undated photos show the early days of Phoenix’s Acacia Library, which opened in 1969.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
Kruse also thanked council members for their continued support of the Phoenix Public Library system in general.
“It’s extremely important,” she said. “You’ve heard time and time again, especially through our budget process, people stand up and raise up and really love their libraries.”
District Councilmember Debra Stark, whose district includes Sunnyslope, called the Acacia Library a “treasure.”
“I have very fond memories of this library, and I really do want to thank Julia. She really takes good care of our history in the city of Phoenix,” Stark said.
Architect Bennie Gonzales poses with a model of the Scottsdale Civic Center, which he designed.
(Courtesy Scottsdale Historical Society)
Architect Bennie Gonzalez
Gonzales designed several key buildings around the Valley, including Scottsdale City Hall, Scottsdale Public Library, Nogales Public Library, the Heard Museum expansion in 1968, the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Arizona Medical Association building in Phoenix.
Gonzales also designed Phoenix’s Ocotillo Library, but it was extensively remodeled a few years ago and is no longer eligible for historic preservation due to loss of integrity from the original materials and design, Weight said.
Gonzelez was known for his distinct Southwestern style, which included using modern materials that evoked adobe.
What does a history preservation overlay mean?
The historic preservation overlay means any future demolition or major modifications to the site’s buildings must be reviewed and approved by the city’s Historic Preservation Office. A proposed demolition can be delayed for up to a year while the office seeks an alternative to demolition.
It also makes the property eligible for city incentive programs to assist with rehabilitation costs.
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Mark Carlisle
Associate Editor | Phoenix
mcarlisle@iniusa.org
Meet Mark
Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.
Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.
Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.
Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.
Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.
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