Lincoln Heights Branch

Lincoln Heights Branch
Lincoln Heights Branch, May 2008
Location 2530 Workman St., Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California
Coordinates 34°4′34.25″N 118°12′50.54″W / 34.0761806°N 118.2140389°WCoordinates: 34°4′34.25″N 118°12′50.54″W / 34.0761806°N 118.2140389°W
Built 1916
Architect Lester H. Hibbard and H.B. Cody
Architectural style Italian Renaissance Revival,
Classical Revival
Governing body Local
MPS Los Angeles Branch Library System TR
NRHP Reference # 87001013[1]
LAHCM # 261
Significant dates
Added to NRHP May 19, 1987
Designated LAHCM June 3, 1983[2]

Lincoln Heights Branch is the second oldest branch library in the Los Angeles Public Library system. Located in the Lincoln Heights section of Los Angeles, California, it was built in the Classical Revival and Italian Renaissance Revival styles in 1916 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie. One of three surviving Carnegie libraries in Los Angeles, it has been designated as a Historic-Cultural Monument and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Early history and architecture

The history of the Lincoln Heights Branch began in 1900 with the establishment of a delivery station at Daly Street and Pasadena Avenue. In 1907, the Daly Street station merged with the East Main Branch to form the East Los Angeles Branch. That branch operated out of rented space at 2603 North Broadway starting in 1913.[3]

In 1911, the Los Angeles Public Library received a $210,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie to build six new branch libraries, including the Lincoln Heights Branch. Plans for the new branch in Lincoln Heights were approved in 1915, with a design by Lester H. Hibbard and H.B. Cody. Hibbard and Cody based the design on the Italian Renaissance Villa, Papa Giulia near Rome.[4]

Postcard from Los Angeles Public Library collections showing patrons using the outdoor reading room at the Lincoln Heights branch.

The new library opened in August 1916 and was initially known as the Northeast Branch Library. The building is in the form of a quarter circle, with an extension of fourteen feet at each end. It is a combination of Italian Renaissance and Colonial styles. The end extensions are Colonial in design, and the main structure is of Italian Renaissance design.[5] One of the unusual features of the new branch was an outdoor reading garden, an arbor in which benches were placed "for those who wish to read in the open."[5] The new facility also included an auditorium with a stage and seating for 340 persons, and old English oak woodwork and shelves.[5]

By 1919, the area had been renamed Lincoln Heights, and the library was designated at the Lincoln Heights Branch. A bas relief of Abraham Lincoln executed by Mrs. William Wendt was presented to the library in 1922 as a gift of the Auxiliary, B. of L.E.[3]

In 1975, a community vote in the predominantly Latino area renamed the facility the "Biblioteca del Pueblo de Lincoln Heights."[6]

Historic designations

Carnegie paid for a total of six libraries in Los Angeles, and only three of the Carnegie libraries remain: Lincoln Heights, Cahuenga, and Vermont Square."[4][7][8]

The Lincoln Heights Branch was designated as a Historic-Cultural Monument (#261) by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission in 1983.[2] In 1987, the Lincoln Heights Branch and several other branch libraries in Los Angeles were added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a thematic group submission.[7] The application noted that the branch libraries had been constructed in a variety of period revival styles to house the initial branch library system of the City of Los Angeles. With respect to the Lincoln Heights Branch, the application described the building as being designed in the Classical Revival style with strong Beaux Arts influence. "The building's most unusual feature is its floor plan which is in the shape of a segment of a circle. ... The arched entry is centered in the middle and three series of concrete walkways with landings leading up to it. This tall one-story design features high clerestory windows which are inset between pilasters."[7]

Earthquake damage and renovation

The library suffered structural damage in the 1987 Whittier earthquake, and in March 1990, the branch was closed when it was determined to be out of compliance with earthquake safety requirements.[6] A $3 million renovation project was completed with re-opening of the branch in June 1996.[9] The building underwent seismic reinforcment work and was also renovated and expanded from 10,912 square feet (1,013.8 m2) to 12,912 square feet (1,199.6 m2). Carpeting and air conditioning were added, and a skylight covered for more than 50 years was uncovered and renovated, lighting the reference area. Computer workstations were also installed, and ceramic works of art by local artist Ricardo Rodriguez Duffy were placed on and above the columns.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Los Angeles Department of City Planning (2007-09-07). "Historic - Cultural Monuments (HCM) Listing: City Declared Monuments". City of Los Angeles. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "History of Lincoln Heights Branch, 1900-1936". Los Angeles Public Library.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Beautiful Italian Renaissance Edifice for East Los Angeles: Modeled After Italian Types; New Library Will Suggest Famous Villa; Carnegie Branch Structure on East Side to Incorporate Many Interesting Details, Including Circular Reading-room and Outdoor Features". Los Angeles Times. 1915-05-30.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "New Library's Doors to Open: Board Will Hold Reception in Unique Building; Northeast Branch Equipped to Suit All Readers; One of Six Provided for by Carnegie Fund". Los Angeles Times. 1916-08-30.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Lincoln Heights Branch Library, History". Los Angeles Public Library. 1996-06-20.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Los Angeles Branch Library System TR Multiple Property Submission nomination explains 22 branch libraries but one, the University Branch, appears not to have been listed.
  8. ↑ "From Handbook of the Branch Libraries: The Six Carnegie Buildings (1913-1916)". Los Angeles Public Library. 1928.
  9. ↑ "Central Los Angeles; Historic Library Opens New Chapter After Renovation". Los Angeles Times. 1996-06-20.

External links