Temescal Library assessment 1917

Description:
Special tax assessment bill in the amount of $4.60 sent to C. Avanzino to help fund the city's purchase of the property at Telegraph and 52nd Street for the proposed Carnegie-funded Alden Branch Library, Temescal district, Oakland, Calif.

Date of Document:
June 14, 1917 (date of notice)

Document Author:
Superintendent of Streets (Oakland)

Geographic Location:
411 48th Street, Oakland, Calif.

Context:
Construction of the branch library, one of five Carnegie-endowed libraries in Oakland, was completed in 1918. Funded with a Carnegie grant of $35,000, the building was designed by the well known local firm of Donovan and Dickey. The library is one of only two Tudor Revival Carnegie libraries built in California, and the only one still in existence. Prior to the opening of Temescal s branch library, the Temescal Reading Room had been located in a storefront directly across the street on Claremont Avenue. Carlo Giuseppe Avanzino (1869-1945) was born in Torriglia, Italy. His wife, Pasqualina Palmira (Costa) Avanzino (1885-1965) was born in Donetta, a village that is part of Torriglia. They married in October 1909, following Pasqualina's arrival in February 1909 (via Ellis island) to the U.S. from Italy. Carlo and Pasqualina were living at 566 45th Street in Temescal when their first child, Joseph, was born on November 14, 1910. Soon after, on November 25, 1910, Carlo bought the house at 415 48th Street (it is uncertain whether they ever lived there, but they probably did). On July 29, 1915, Carlo bought the house at 409 48th Street and moved in just before their son, Tillio, was born. (In 1922, he paid taxes on the 415 48th Street house, and in January 1923 he had some painting and electrical work done at the property, so it is assumed he continued to own it.) In around 1926, Carlo moved the 409 48th Street house to the back of the property and built a new house, 411 48th Street, at the front of the property. In April 28, 1928, Carlo bought the house at 413 48th Street from his uncle, Vincenzo Casazza. They rented out 411 48th Street until 1945, when Carlo died, and then Pasqualina, their daughter, Elvira, and Tillio moved into 411 48th Street and rented out 409, 413, and 415 48th Street. Ron's parents, Joseph and Lenore Avanzino rented the house at 413 48th Street. Carlo and Pasqualina probably never lived at 413 48th Street, because it was small (700 sq. ft.). Th