The Mystery of Mr. Bruggemeyer

The Bruggemeyer Memorial Library in Monterey Park is holding its quarterly book sale this week, which in itself is pretty interesting. But while getting some background information on the library, the cloudy history of Manchak Bruggemeyer came up.

“He was a judge in Chicago. He immigrated to Monterey Park,” said assistant city librarian Joy Di Loreto, who has been at the library for 23 years.

Bruggemeyer was probably in his 40s or 50s when he moved to California in 1924, DiLoreto said. But she can’t be certain, because she says she has “never run across his birth or death (dates).”

A search at the reference desk yielded nothing, and the local historical society could not be reached.

What is known is that the judge was born in London. He had a first wife named Pauline, who died. His second wife was a librarian.

In memory of his first wife, Bruggemeyer donated the house and land for the library in 1929, Di Loreto said. The original site was on Ramona and Garvey avenues, one block north of the current location dedicated in 1960.

The book sale will be in the library atrium, 318 S. Ramona Ave., during regular operating hours: noon to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Prices will range from 25 cents to $1 for most items.