HomeMy WebLinkAboutPortola Community Center 3PORTOLA COMMUNITY CENTER (45-480 PORTOLA A VENUE)
The building located at 45‐480 Portola Avenue is significant as the first Community Library in the City of
Palm Desert. The building was constructed in 1962 on land donated by Randall and Cyria Henderson.
The building is eligible for designation as a City Landmark in accordance with section 29.40.010 Land‐
mark Designation Criteria as it “reflects distinctive examples of community planning or significant de‐
velopment patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, agricul‐
ture, or transportation.
In January 1950 the Palm Valley Chamber of Commerce wrote to the Riverside Public Library request‐
ing a branch library. When that effort did not succeed a few pioneering homeowners, retired physician
Dr. Edward Ruge and Dr. Martin Baker from Palm Desert began the quest for a town library. They dis‐
covered that the county would provide books and a part‐time librarian if space and equipment were
made available.
In 1954, Cyria Henderson was elected president of the Palm Desert Women’s Club and pledged funding
assistance if Dr. Ruge would lease a suitable site. A site was found at the Larkspur Lane Patio Shops at a
cost of fifty dollars a month for rental and incidental expenses such as shelving. Dr. Ruge and friends
built the shelves, a desk and painted and papered the little rental room. The library had an initial circu‐
lation of 645 books a month in early 1956.
In 1956, Randall and Cyria Henderson, both sharing a deep interest in the cultural life of the commu‐
nity, offered to donate a large site on Portola Avenue for the construction of a community hall‐library,
with the stipulation that it always remain, in perpetuity, as a site for community activities.
It wasn’t until December 1957 that the Riverside Public Library began to pay for the rent on the Palm
Desert Branch. The small room soon became insufficient for library purposes and became evident that
a larger facility was needed. Gertrude Keedy was elected to chair the Library Committee upon the res‐
ignation of Dr. Ruge.
In the spring of 1958 Gertrude Keedy called a meeting to name an architect for a community hall‐
library building to be built on the donated Portola site.
In February 1958, local architect, John Outcault was selected to design the library building on the site
donated by Randall and Cyria Henderson. The Palm Desert Community Library Association tried on two
different occasions to create a library district to fund the construction of the library; however the op‐
position was too great to overcome. It was suggested by Mr. Richard C. Kite that the library be financed
by a bank loan obtained through subscriptions.
On June 28, 1958, after a legal process to develop a non‐profit organization the “Palm Desert Commu‐
nity Library Association Inc.” was created and elected Phil Franklin, president; Edna Henderson, vice‐
president; Ben Arnold, secretary; and Marge Brown, treasurer. Mary Ellsworth, Gertrude Keedy, James
Griffin, Carl Henderson and Randall Henderson were directors.
In May of 1962 John Outcault presented the Association with the completed architectural plans. The
library board immediately took the historic step of adopting the Kite recommendation and authorized
a loan to construct the building. The funding was obtained with the signatures of guarantors
(responsible citizens of the community) , as requested by the bank. Twelve people responded, they
were Bob Waters, Marge Brown, Harry Cannon, Carl Henderson, Clifford Henderson, Carl Jensen, Rich‐
ard Kite, Hal Kapp, John Moon, John Outcault, Ted Smith, and Ed Welcome. The note was for $40,000
was made, at 6% interest, payable in ten years. Carl Henderson was named chairman of the building
committee.
The Association held a public groundbreaking on May 11, 1962, and ten months later, March 23, 1963,
the Palm Desert Community Library was dedicated. This historic occasion would not of been possible
without the tremendous and generous contributions of the community Guarantors; Patron $2000 or
more; Sponsor $500. ‐ $2000; Supporting $100. ‐ $500; and Contributing $5. ‐ $99.
In October 1970, John Outcault was given formal authorization to design a wing to the east of the origi‐
nal structure. Cyria Henderson was a generous contributor with both gifts and loans to finance con‐
struction of the annex named in honor of her deceased husband Randall Henderson. On November 4,
1972 ground breaking took place and on October 5, 1974 a day of dedication took place for the
“Randall Henderson Memorial Wing” of the Palm Desert Public Library.
Upon completion of the new east wing, and with all debts paid, the corporation decided it was time for
the community, not just the few residents, to become responsible for the library. In March 1977 a reso‐
lution was passed authorizing to transfer the deed of the Palm Desert Library building to the City of
Palm Desert.
The Palm Desert Community Library closed its doors at 45‐480 Portola and the facility was reopened as
an element of a new library at the College of the Desert on April 22, 1996. The Portola facility continues
as a multiple use building dedicated to community non‐profit services. Present day use includes the
following:
• Toastmasters
• Fair Foundation
• Coast Guard Desert Auxiliary
• Desert Viking Club
• Coachella Water Color Society
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Women’s AA Meeting