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. Garnsey designed the ornate mosaic-like dome of the Library's rotunda, which was painted directly upon concrete. The sunburst image located directly above the globe chandelier mirrors the sunburst design of the pyramid on top of the building, a further illustration of the building's theme: "the light of learning". The chandelier that hangs from the rotunda's ceiling was designed by Goodhue Associates, modeled by Lee Lawrie, and manufactured by the Thomas Day Company of Los Angeles. It measures 9 feet in diameter, is composed of cast bronze, weighs one ton, and is part of a model of the solar system. This entire area sustained some smoke damage during the fire that ravaged the upper levels of Central Library, April 29, 1986.
Central Library (Los Angeles, Calif.) Los Angeles Public Library Decoration and ornament, Architectural--California--Los Angeles Murals--California--Los Angeles Chandeliers--California--Los Angeles Libraries--California--Los Angeles Rotundas--California--Los Angeles Interiors--California--Los Angeles Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.) Herald-Examiner Collection photographs Goodhue, Bertram Grosvenor,1869-1924 Winslow, Carlton M Garnsey, Julian E.(Julian Ellsworth),b. 1887 Lawrie, Lee,1877-1963 Bertram G. Goodhue Associates Thomas Day Company (Los Angeles, Calif.)
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