Historic Restored Landmark opens as Katie Wheeler Library

NEWPORT BEACH-- Katie Wheeler is at home again.

A replica of the historic Irvine family ranch house, now renamed the “Katie Wheeler Branch Library,” officially opened Saturday, February 23 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting that attracted hundreds of visitors. Following remarks by city and county officials, and reminiscences by Irvine family members, Orange County librarians welcomed more than four hundred guests to their system’s newest branch and Irvine ’s third library.

In a park area in front of the house, an overflow crowd was welcomed by remarks and recollections of the past from Katie Wheeler’s two daughters, Nita Connolly of Corona del Mar and Helene Huyler, who came from Maine to attend the event. Joan Irvine Smith, Katie’s cousin, also spoke about old days at the ranch.

Other speakers included Orange County Supervisors John Moorlach and Bill Campbell, Irvine Mayor Beth Krom, Katie Wheeler Branch Library Manager Richard Serrato, and Helen Fried, acting County Librarian , Orange County Public Library. Recognition was extended to the architects and builders, Thirteenth Street Architects, Inc. of Newport Beach , and the W.E. O’Neil

Construction Co. and honored guests. The Irvine Ranch Troop 36, California Boy Scouts of America presented colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The new library’s namesake, Katie Wheeler, was the granddaughter of ranch founder James Irvine, who acquired thousands of acres of what is now Orange County in the mid 1800s. She had attended the ground breaking ceremony in 2003, and knew the library occupying her previous home would be named after her. While she saw the restoration plans she did not live to see the completed rebuilding of her childhood home. Katie Wheeler, who grew up in the house along with her cousin Linda, daughter of Myford Irvine, died two months after the ground breaking at age 83.

The site looks much as it did when the Irvines lived here in the early 1900s. Two rows of stately Washingtonian palm trees, planted on the grounds of the family residence in 1907, still border the curved drive leading to what was once the thirty room “Irvine Mansion .” A beautiful black wrought iron gate stands at the entrance on Old Irvine Blvd.

The original ranch house burned in 1965 and the ruins were demolished a decade later. Grounds, trees and shrubs remained untouched for more than thirty years after the fire. Bordering the reconstructed home are many of the original trees, avocado orchards, original swimming pool and pool house. Barns, ranch manager’s homes, offices and ranch workers’ houses and barracks still occupy land surrounding the house. Other ranch buildings have been brought to the area and will be restored and saved as a Historical Irvine Park .

The exterior of this exceptional landmark is an exact replica of what was once one of Orange County’s finest residences. The interior retains many architectural aspects of the original, but has been adapted to the needs of the library.

Following the Grand Opening ceremony, librarians busily issued new library cards to many patrons, while others looked through the more than 50,000 books, periodicals, DVDs, and audio books that were ready to be checked out. Sixteen computers will provide library users access to the Internet,

electronic databases and the catalog. Visitor’s toured the more than 11,000 square foot library’s three floors of nooks and crannies, and were able to view the many details copied directly from the former ranch house interior.

Children were welcomed to the third floor where they were entertained by Magician Jeff Abbit, listened to Storyteller Adrienne McMillan, joined in making things during Craft Time, and were given animals made by Balloon Artist Jennifer Rago. The library plans a very active program of children’s

activities.

The Katie Wheeler Library encourages community participation in its various outreach activities, including its READ program in the Literacy Center.

Local residents are also encouraged to join the newly organized “Friends of the Katie Wheeler Library,” a support group that will run the library’s bookstore.

Norma Jeanne Strobel, Retired Professor Santa Ana College

strobelnj@sbcglobal.net