Los Angeles Branch Library System
Los Angeles Branch Library System | |
        8 of the 22 branches. From left to right, top to bottom: Cahuenga, Lincoln Heights, North Hollywood, Moneta, Memorial, Felipe de Neve, Robert Louis Stevenson, and John C. Fremont. | |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|
| Built | 1913–1930 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 64000066 |
| Added to NRHP | May 19, 1987 |
Los Angeles Branch Library System, also known as Los Angeles Public Library Branches, is a multiple property thematic submission to the National Register of Historic Places that consists of twenty-two branches of the Los Angeles Public Library.
Description
[edit] | This section only references primary sources. (March 2026) |
Los Angeles Branch Library System is a thematic group of twenty-two buildings that were added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 19, 1987. Each building is an original branch of the Los Angeles Public Library built between 1913 and 1930, most were designed to incorporate features related to notable literary figures, and all feature Revival designs, including Classical, Colonial, Gothic, Italian Renaissance, Italian Romanesque, Mediterranean, Spanish, Spanish Colonial, and more. Most were designed by prominent architects of the time period, including Allison & Allison, John C. Austin, Lyman Farwell, Sumner Hunt, Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury, Weston and Weston, Austin Whittlesey, William Lee Woollett, and others, and all feature the majority of their original exterior with updated interiors. Several buildings are located in parks and many are the only ones of landmark stature in their entire neighborhood.[1]
Libraries
[edit]The twenty-two branches included in the Los Angeles Branch Library System listing are:[1]
- Vermont Square (1913)
- Lincoln Heights (1916)
- Cahuenga (1916)
- University (1923)
- Jefferson (1923)
- Moneta (1923)
- Helen Hunt Jackson (1925)
- Washington Irving (1926)
- Van Nuys (1926)
- Richard Henry Dana (1926)
- Wilshire (1926)
- Wilmington (1927)
- Malabar (1927)
- John C. Fremont (1927)
- Eagle Rock (1914, extensive remodel in 1927)
- Robert Louis Stevenson (1927)
- Angelus Mesa (1929)
- Felipe de Neve (1929)
- John Muir (1930)
- Venice (1930)
- Memorial (1930)
- North Hollywood (1930)
Figueroa (1923)[1][2] and Pio Pico (1923–1979)[3][4] branches were originally included but later removed, the former due to remodeling and the latter because it was demolished.[1] Additionally, Hollywood (1940)[5][6] and Edendale (1923)[7] branches were not included due to remodeling,[1] and Hollywood Branch has since been demolished.[6]
According to the listing in the National Register of Historic Places, three branches, Echo Park (1928–1971),[8][9] East Los Angeles (1916–1974),[10][11] and San Pedro, were not listed because they were demolished after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake.[1] However, other sources list Vernon (1915–1974), not San Pedro, as one of the three branches demolished after the 1971 earthquake.[12][13] Additionally, while the San Pedro Branch has undergone several demolitions, none were due to damage from the 1971 earthquake.[14][15][16][17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Los Angeles Branch Library System (Thematic Nomination)" (PDF). National Park Service. May 19, 1987.
- ^ "Image / Figueroa Branch Library, exterior". Calisphere. University of California. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "A Brief Pio Pico – Koreatown Branch Library History". Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ "Image / Pio Pico Branch Library". Calisphere. University of California. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ Sanford, Tiffney (December 9, 2022). "Hollywood Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library". Los Angeles Public Library.
- ^ a b Michelson, Alan. "City of Los Angeles, Public Library (LAPL), Branch #2, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA (1940) demolished". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. University of Washington. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ Michelson, Alan. "City of Los Angeles, Public Library (LAPL), Branch #1, Edendale, Los Angeles, CA (1923)". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. University of Washington. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ "A Brief Echo Park Branch Library History". Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ Michelson, Alan. "Los Angeles Public Library, Echo Park Branch #2, Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA (1927-1928)". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. University of Washington. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ Kortum, Lucy (1999–2011). "Los Angeles/Boyle Heights, Los Angeles County". carnegie-libraries.org. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ "Image / Benjamin Franklin Branch Library". Calisphere. University of California. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "Image / Vernon Branch Library". Calisphere. University of California. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "Los Angeles Public Library Timeline". Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ "Once Upon a Book…". San Pedro Historical Society. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ Kortum, Lucy (1999–2011). "San Pedro, Los Angeles County". carnegie-libraries.org. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ Gnerre, Sam (August 25, 2025). "South Bay History: San Pedro's public library keeps up with the times and its growing clientele". Daily Breeze.
- ^ "San Pedro's library to reopen on April 7 with a fresh look after 7-month remodel". Daily Breeze. March 28, 2025.
