Goodman Library
Why it's listed
Goodman Library is a two-story stone masonry building on First Street in central Napa, completed in 1901 at an original cost of $15,000. Land that George and James Goodman bought in 1877 was deeded to the City of Napa in 1902 on the condition that it always serve as a free public library. The cornerstone was laid in May 1901, and the building opened in March 1902. Architect Luther M. Turton, who practiced in Napa from 1887 until about 1920 and was known for Victorian and Queen Anne homes, designed it as a turn toward simpler forms. The building shows Richardson Romanesque traits such as round-arched windows, rusticated stone facing and deep openings, combined with a balustraded cornice and a finished stone entrance arch drawn from Beaux Arts design. Its original door hardware, shelves, pressed tin ceilings, stairway, woodwork and desks survive, with only the interior lighting fixtures replaced. This completeness, along with its style and architect, supported its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the library is an excellent local example of Richardson Romanesque style combined with Beaux Arts elements. It is also an important work of Napa architect Luther M. Turton, and it survives almost completely intact, inside and out, with original shelves, pressed tin ceilings, stairway and woodwork.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74000539, listed January 21, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1219 1st St., Napa |
|---|---|
| County | Napa County |
| Listed | January 21, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000539 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (built 1901) |
| Architect / builder | Luther M. Turton (architect) |
| Architectural style | Richardson Romanesque with neo-classical Beaux Arts elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Form lists the building as occupied, in public use as a library, with condition marked fair and integrity unaltered; the building appears unchanged since construction. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 38.29806, -122.28714 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74000539.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14682048
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.