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. Interior view of the History Department, at Los Angeles Central Library, showing several patrons occupying the tables throughout. Note the colorful ceiling beams and checkerboard floor. Along the perimeter of the department are the California History Murals painted by Albert Herter. Pictured are (left wall, l to r): "The Building of a Mission", "Jose Gaspar de Portola", "Juan Bautista de Anza", and "Fiesta at a Mission"; along the back wall (l to r): "Raising the flag at Monterey", and "Finding of Gold in '49"; and along the right wall (between the windows): "Relief ship at San Diego". Not pictured is "The Landing of Cabrillo at Catalina Island". These eight panels - significant events in California history - were painted in oil on canvas and were originally hung in the Hope Street tunnel entrance to the library, but were moved to what was then the History Reading Room because of water seepage and poor lighting in the tunnel. As a result of the cleaning of the murals after the library fires in 1986, one can clearly see in at least one of the murals how they were expanded to fit the space in their new location. The History Department was previously known as the Reference Room - which was the largest reading room of the library. Today, this room is the Children's Literature Department. Albert Herter, an artist and painter of international reputation, painted canvases depicting epic events in the history of California and was celebrated for his historical murals. Herter died in 1950 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 79.; For a similar view (same angle, no patrons), see image #00083742.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Los Angeles Public Library.--History Dept Los Angeles Public Library Central Library (Los Angeles, Calif.) Murals--California--Los Angeles History materials--California--Los Angeles Library buildings--California--Los Angeles Library users--California--Los Angeles Libraries--California--Los Angeles Libraries--United States--History Art--California--Los Angeles Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments Winslow, Carleton M.,1919- Herter, Albert,1871-1950 Goodhue, Bertram Grosvenor,1869-1924 Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.)
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