Title supplied by cataloger. Central Library, located at 630 W. 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles, was designed by architects Bertram G. Goodhue and Carlton M. Winslow. Constructed between 1922-1926, it was designed to mimic the architecture of ancient Egypt, complete with a tiled mosaic pyramid tower and many beautiful murals throughout. Tragic fires in 1986 destroyed part of the building along with 20 percent of the library's collection, prompting a closure for 6 years while restoration took place. The renovation was completed in 1993, and the library reopened on October 3, 1993. The Los Angeles Public Library is the third largest public library in the United States in terms of books and periodical holdings, boasting over 6 million volumes. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1970 - Building #70000136. Julian C. Garney designed the ornate ceiling of the Central Library's rotunda. This sunburst image located directly above the globe chandelier (not hanging at the time this photograph was taken), mirrors the sunburst design of the pyramid on top of the building (outside), a further illustration of the building's theme: "the light of learning". This area sustained some smoke damage during the fire that ravaged the upper levels of Central Library, April 29, 1986.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;11 x 14 cm. on sheet 21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Central Library (Los Angeles, Calif.) Los Angeles Public Library Decoration and ornament, Architectural--California--Los Angeles Murals--California--Los Angeles Rotundas--California--Los Angeles Libraries--California--Los Angeles Art--California--Los Angeles Interiors--California--Los Angeles Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments Goodhue, Bertram Grosvenor,1869-1924 Winslow, Carlton M Garney, Julian C Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.)
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
