One of the books most frequently consulted by visitors to the Historical Society's library is Eureka: An Architectural View by the Eureka Heritage Society -- also known as "the Green Book".  As an on-going resource, it also is  a popular item for sale at the Society's bookstore.

       The book begins with a description of the formidable years-long process, begun in the 1970s, that made it possible: armies of volunteers and professionals surveying and photographing over 1500 individual Eureka structures, researching their history and ownership, evaluating their architectural significance, then putting together this unique exposition of what makes Eureka so architecturally outstanding.

       The book (which is indeed green) begins with a short summation of Eureka history and the effects of the area's isolation, the abundance of lumber, the introduction of new building styles, and the relatively small influence of the mid 20th century's urban renewal (that is demolition) efforts. Then come chapters dividing our architectural history into segments, detailing the historical contexts and the stylistic features of the time for both residential and commercial structures. Each section is enhanced with many photographs of period examples and location maps.  Nearly the last half of the book is then taken up with an inventory of listed buildings organized alphabetically by street. Each structure is rated by architectural  importance, and given construction date, builders and original owners.  At the end of the book, we have a useful glossary of architectural terms and a summation of the features that comprise each period's styles.

       This book is not only valuable for people interested in finding out something about their own home, it is a succinct well-written rendition of Eureka's history and the factors that make this town stand out nation-wide for both tourists and architectural historians.

       A good resource -- and a good read.