Pages of Time: Ben Lomond Library an Overlooked Treasure

By Julie Horner and Ronnie Trubek

When was the last time you took a stroll on historic Mill Street in Ben Lomond? The short stretch of byway that runs parallel to the San Lorenzo River is home to Ben Lomond Market, Sew Rose, painted Bermuda pink on the corner, and Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center. Several other small businesses line the quiet avenue. There’s storied Park Hall, which celebrates its Centennial this summer, and the building that once housed Lou’s Ron-de-Voo, formerly La Salsa Bar and Grill, which has long been shuttered. And Ben Lomond County Park has finally just reopened after the 2023 winter storms. At this peaceful junction of Mill Street and Main, adjacent to the park, a pair of old brown-shingled buildings, Wilder Hall and Ben Lomond Community Library sit in tandem among the weeds, biding time.

Born of Community

At the turn of the last century, some forward-thinking citizens envisioned a future for Ben Lomond that included a riverside park and library complex that would stretch the length of Mill Street. The new park would provide access to the river for residents and provide a draw for tourists. In those days, Ben Lomond had only a few hundred residents, but Mill Street was bustling with businesses and worker cottages. Deeds in favor of the newly formed Ben Lomond Library Association were obtained from multiple landowners on the south side of Mill Street. Only one local landowner refused to contribute their property, which would have extended the park to the Dickenson Hotel on the country road. Instead, the Ben Lomond Town Park took its current footprint. The Ben Lomond Library Association was formed, but first, nine businesses on the river side of the street had to be relocated. F.A. Cody, a prominent property owner, donated land on the north side of Mill Street to facilitate the endeavor. First to move was I.B. Hobson, who rolled his livery barn along Mill Street in 1911 to its new location. The building was remodeled using a Swiss design and named Park Hall.

The Ben Lomond Improvement Society, meanwhile, was busy soliciting donations from wealthy San Francisco Bay Area summer residents to supplement the local gifts of land, and by 1914 the community was celebrating the grand opening of Ben Lomond Library and Ben Lomond River Park. The deeds stipulated that these properties will be maintained in perpetuity as a public library and park. Unfortunately, original documents did not address ongoing funding needs for maintenance, improvements, and activities.

By 1927, the Ben Lomond Fire Department had built the recreation hall next to the library for their new home before moving to their current location on Highway 9 in the early 1940s. The recreation hall was later renamed Wilder Hall in honor of Alice Earl Wilder, noted for her activism in local politics. In 1942 Ben Lomond Fire Protection District consented to assume the trusteeship of the library and park since the fire department had a revenue stream from property taxes and was responsible for the maintenance of the dam that was built at the park to aid with fire suppression. Not long after, the Fire District was sued for spending Fire District funds on the park and buildings. The judge for the case suggested forming a recreation district, which also would be able to provide tax revenue. By 1950 the Ben Lomond Library and Park Trust was conveyed to the Ben Lomond Recreation District. However, disagreement about how the District should operate eventually forced the beleaguered trustees to call for dissolution of the District. The people of Ben Lomond voted to approve the dissolution. The historic buildings and park were deeded to Santa Cruz County Parks in the mid 1970s, the County Board of Supervisors still act as Trustees.

Both Ben Lomond Library and Park Hall are registered with the Santa Cruz County Historic Resources Inventory, which offers certain protections to buildings of historic interest.

Toilet Paper and Lightbulbs

Marion Russell is the current Director at Ben Lomond Library, which is run entirely by volunteers; the library does not share the benefits of being part of the Santa Cruz County Library system other than mention on their website. Russell has been at her post since 2016. “It was not long after we moved here, November of 2015,” she said. “I happened to be driving by and saw the library and came to a screeching halt.” She walked in and introduced herself to Elaine Campbell sitting behind the reference desk, who told her to come back Wednesday to speak with Director Carol McQuillin. Marion signed up to help and was entrusted with the Directorship when McQuillin stepped down.

Marion tries to keep the doors open six days a week with the help of a small, dedicated team including Mary Ellen Goodwin, Anne Christiansen, and Shirley Davis. “We’ll be here as long as the building is, but that might not be for long,” Russel said. “It’s deteriorated quite a bit in the last few years partly due to bad weather, partly due to neglect. We had termites that nobody was doing anything about for a long time, and finally when the termites started eating the books we felt we had agency to complain about it to the County. At least get the place fumigated.” The termites have since been mitigated, but the damage remains. “The County only maintains what it has to,” she said. “We receive light bulbs, paper towels, and toilet paper, and someone will come fix the heater, the basic infrastructure. If we need new carpeting, we have to take care of it ourselves.”

The only computer in the library was an ancient Mac so old that eventually the software couldn’t be updated anymore. But it doesn’t matter. There is no Internet.

When you walk down Mill Street, the library and Wilder Hall seem to be largely left to the elements. Community involvement has drifted away from what was once a vibrant small-town center. While Wilder Hall is home to the popular Kreative Kids Preschool Program run by County Parks, Ben Lomond Library is struggling. But Russell and her team are cautiously optimistic and are personally invested in the library’s survival. “They love it passionately, and that’s what keeps me coming back. And it’s true for the patrons, too. Some of them would burst into tears if we told them we were closing down.”

The Next Chapter

“I never get tired of scanning the shelves and seeing what’s there,” Russell said. Books have been generously donated over the years. Some they’ve picked up at local thrift or exchanged in the little free libraries dotting the San Lorenzo Valley. An old card cabinet stands against one wall. Everything is done by hand here. She marvels at the original wavy glass in some of the windows. “These rooms hold the memories of generations of mountain families,” she said. Community support is fundamental. “There are a certain number of patrons we need to stay afloat.” Late fees are minimal, memberships can fluctuate from year to year. What has sustained them in the past is renting the Reading Room to local groups for meetings and rehearsals. That income helps fund the WiFi.

The young adult section needs to be updated. They need fresh fantasy and science fiction. Donations of books can be left on the front porch. Your discards are gold to a community library. Russell said, “You don’t know the value of a book. It’s not just monetary. No matter how old or dusty. It might change someone’s life.”

Support Ben Lomond Community Library, 9525 Mill Street, Ben Lomond. Open 1:30 – 5:00 Monday through Saturday. New volunteers are welcome. Monetary donations accepted as are new and used books in excellent condition. To rent the community room, contact Director Marion Russell on Tuesdays or send email: benlomondlibrary@outlook.com. Follow: FB @benlomondlibrary

Park Hall Centennial Celebration with live music from zydeco player Andre Thierry and Moonshine Crossroads, Saturday, August 12 | 6:30-11pm. 9400 Mill Street. parkhall.benlomond.org | FB @ParkHall.BenLomond

Julie Horner writes about the people and culture of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Reach out to Julie at julie@slvpost.com.

Passionate about the history of Santa Cruz County, in her spare time you’ll find Ronnie Trubek participating in history classes, lectures, and walks around the county or at shows collecting maps, postcards, photos and other ephemera relating to our rich and diverse community.

Featured photo: Ben Lomond Library by Julie Horner

Read more about the revitalization efforts:
slvpost.com/community-driven-revitalization-breathing-new-life-into-ben-lomond-library
slvpost.com/ben-lomond-village-alliance

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