Skip to main content

Image / LAPL Central Library construction, south view

Have a question about this item?

Item information. View source record on contributor's website.

Title
LAPL Central Library construction, south view
Alternative Title
Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection
Date Created and/or Issued
1926
Contributing Institution
Los Angeles Public Library
Collection
Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection
Rights Information
Images available for reproduction and use. Please see the Ordering & Use page at http://tessa.lapl.org/OrderingUse.html for additional information.
Description
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.
Photograph shows construction of the Los Angeles Public Library, located at 630 W. Fifth Street; view is looking north on Hope Street. The structure, which is almost complete, shows scaffolding along the entire south side and a type of elevator is visible along the front the tower at the top. A sign posted at the top of the scaffolding reads: "Weymouth Crowell Co. - General Contractors". A mound of dirt and construction debris clutters the entrance to the tunnel entrance at the end of the street. A couple of automobiles are parked on both sides of the street.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;24 x 18 cm. on sheet 26 x 21 cm.
Photographic prints
Identifier
00084846
Security Pacific National Bank Collection
L.A.-Libraries-LAPL-Central Library-Construction; A-008-135 4x5
CARL0004765033
http://173.196.26.125/cdm/ref/collection/photos/id/112958
Subject
Central Library (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Los Angeles Public Library
Building construction--California--Los Angeles
Library buildings--California--Los Angeles
Building sites--California--Los Angeles
Automobiles--California--Los Angeles
Scaffolding
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments
Streets--California--Los Angeles
Lost architecture--California--Los Angeles
Goodhue, Bertram Grosvenor,1869-1924
Winslow, Carleton M.,1919-
Hope Street (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Weymouth Crowell Co

About the collections in Calisphere

Learn more about the collections in Calisphere. View our statement on digital primary resources.

Copyright, permissions, and use

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.

Explore related content on Calisphere: