The Katie Wheeler Library is a public library in
Irvine, California
Irvine () is a Planned community, master-planned city in South Orange County, California, United States, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the 1960s and the city was formally incorporated on ...
. The current structure was built on land that belonged to the
Irvine family The Irvine family of Southern California is a prominent Californian family of real estate developers. Through the Irvine Company, the family played an important role in the development of Orange County. The city of Irvine and the University of Cali ...
. In 2008, the site was dedicated as a historical landmark.
History
The original structure of the Katie Wheeler Library was constructed in 1876. It was originally a ranch house that would eventually come into control by James Irvine II. Irvine would double the size of the building. After the
1906 San Francisco earthquake
At 05:12 Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday, April 18, 1906, the coast of Northern California was struck by a major earthquake with an estimated moment magnitude of 7.9 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (''Extreme''). High-intensity sha ...
, Irvine would relocate his entire family to this spot.
In 1965, the original structure burned down and later was demolished. The property that is in use today is a reconstruction.
Historical preservation
In 2008, the site opened as the Katie Wheeler Library. It was designated as a historical landmark by OC Parks.
Paranormal activity
The Katie Wheeler Library is supposedly haunted. It is believed that the ghost of Kathryn Helena Irvine haunts the location, having died on the site during childbirth. Other reports say that the ghost of a tall man (believed to be James Irvine) still wanders the property.
Related links
OC Public Libraries
References
{{coord , 33.739722, -117.815833, region:US-CA_type:landmark, display=title
Reportedly haunted locations in California
History of Orange County, California
California Historical Landmarks
Houses completed in 1876
Libraries in California