It's October, a perfect time to celebrate these phantom libraries (click here to see last year's roundup). First up is a former Los Angeles County Public Library branch.
Phantom Library: Duarte Branch (1955-1966)
After years in a small cottage on Santo Domingo Avenue, the Duarte Branch moved into rented quarters at 1430 E. Huntington Drive. It was formally dedicated March 20, 1955.
The library was popular immediately, dramatically increasing their cardholders and doubling their circulation in the first year. They also held art exhibits, thanks in part to artist Alberta Babcock who served as Art Chairman for the branch. It wasn't long before newspaper articles that mentioned the library's success also began to mention that more room for growth was required.
By 1964, a site and architects were chosen for a new library funded by the city of Duarte that would be leased back to the county. The new Duarte library, which opened on Buena Vista in February 1966, replaced this location and is still in use. Today, the slightly altered phantom library at 1430 E. Huntington Dr. serves as the headquarters for UA Local 345 Landscape & Irrigation.
[Historical photo: County of Los Angeles Public Library History]
Phantom Library: Watts Branch (1960-1996)
This Watts Branch of the Los Angeles Public LIbrary, located at 1501 East 103rd Street, was opened on July 18, 1960. It was designed by Earl G. Kaltenbach, the architect for several tracts in Orange County, including Rossmoor and Yorba Linda Estates.
At the time of opening, the 3600-sq ft, brick-clad Mid-Century Modern building held 14,000 books, 3.5 staff members and had seating capacity for 19 adults and 16 children. An entrance wall was covered with imported white marble mosaic tiles that extended from the outside into the branch itself.
Circulation in the branch doubled in their first year and eventually the library outgrew the building. A new branch opened in June 1996 around the corner on Compton Avenue.
It's now a Ghost of a Phantom Library-- the building was recently demolished to make way for Kaiser Permanente. Via Google Street View we are able to see images of the building prior to demolition.
[Historical photo: Dick Whittington/Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Collection]
Phantom Library: Wilmington Branch (1927-1988)
This Wilmington Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library formally opened on March 18, 1927. The Pasadena-based firm Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury were the architects of the Spanish Colonial Revival library located at 309 W. Opp. [They also designed the Hill Branch of Pasadena Public Library.]
According to a 1926 Press-Telegram (Long Beach) article, the library design contained space for a historical museum. Relics of local history were displayed at the opening including a silk quilt made by Mrs. Phineas Banning and an 1872 photo of the San Pedro waterfront. It is fitting that today the location serves as the home of the Wilmington Historical Society.
The library outgrew its building long before it was replaced by the current Wilmington Branch at 1300 N. Avalon Blvd in 1988.
[Historic photo: Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection]
This Wilmington Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library formally opened on March 18, 1927. The Pasadena-based firm Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury were the architects of the Spanish Colonial Revival library located at 309 W. Opp. [They also designed the Hill Branch of Pasadena Public Library.]
According to a 1926 Press-Telegram (Long Beach) article, the library design contained space for a historical museum. Relics of local history were displayed at the opening including a silk quilt made by Mrs. Phineas Banning and an 1872 photo of the San Pedro waterfront. It is fitting that today the location serves as the home of the Wilmington Historical Society.
The library outgrew its building long before it was replaced by the current Wilmington Branch at 1300 N. Avalon Blvd in 1988.
[Historic photo: Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection]
Phantom Library: Henry Adams Branch (Part I:1927-1952)
The Henry Adams Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library opened November 18, 1927 at 3534 Larga Avenue, on the side of the newly constructed Citizen's Trust and Savings Bank at the corner of Glendale Blvd and Larga Avenue. It's beginnings sound plucky--the new library was short-staffed, and their book supply and furniture were borrowed from other branches (Harbor City and Echo Park respectively).
The library provided information and entertainment to the neighborhood, especially during the Great Depression. Unfortunately budget cuts in 1940, compounded by the fact that the library had to pay rent for the space, meant a reduction in hours (down to three days a week open). Henry Adams was one of six branches in rented quarters that faced closure in order to save funds. The community rallied together to fight for the library to remain open.
Nonetheless the library was later evicted from this location in November 1952 and replaced by a meat market/delicatessen (it is now a paint store). The books and furniture were sent to the Helen Hunt Jackson Branch for storage while the library searched for their next location (stay tuned for Part 2). Read about the history of (what is now known as) Atwater Village Branch at https://www.lapl.org/branches/atwater-village/history
[Historical photo: Security National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library]
The Henry Adams Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library opened November 18, 1927 at 3534 Larga Avenue, on the side of the newly constructed Citizen's Trust and Savings Bank at the corner of Glendale Blvd and Larga Avenue. It's beginnings sound plucky--the new library was short-staffed, and their book supply and furniture were borrowed from other branches (Harbor City and Echo Park respectively).
The library provided information and entertainment to the neighborhood, especially during the Great Depression. Unfortunately budget cuts in 1940, compounded by the fact that the library had to pay rent for the space, meant a reduction in hours (down to three days a week open). Henry Adams was one of six branches in rented quarters that faced closure in order to save funds. The community rallied together to fight for the library to remain open.
Nonetheless the library was later evicted from this location in November 1952 and replaced by a meat market/delicatessen (it is now a paint store). The books and furniture were sent to the Helen Hunt Jackson Branch for storage while the library searched for their next location (stay tuned for Part 2). Read about the history of (what is now known as) Atwater Village Branch at https://www.lapl.org/branches/atwater-village/history
[Historical photo: Security National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library]
Phantom Library: Edendale Branch (1923-1959)
The Edendale Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library opened at 2030 Glendale Blvd in 1923. Designed by architect C.E. Noerenberg, the branch was used by the artists and designers who lived in the surrounding area. Over time traffic increased, there was high staff turnover at the branch, and the hours of operation were decreased. This location of the Edendale Branch closed May 22, 1959.
The neighborhood changed over the years and no longer has as many neighbors as it once did. Once quaint and inviting, the building now sits right next to the Glendale off-ramp of the 2 Freeway and traffic whizzes by very quickly. It is difficult to get a decent photo from the sidewalk but you get an idea of what it used to look like.
The Edendale Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library opened at 2030 Glendale Blvd in 1923. Designed by architect C.E. Noerenberg, the branch was used by the artists and designers who lived in the surrounding area. Over time traffic increased, there was high staff turnover at the branch, and the hours of operation were decreased. This location of the Edendale Branch closed May 22, 1959.
The neighborhood changed over the years and no longer has as many neighbors as it once did. Once quaint and inviting, the building now sits right next to the Glendale off-ramp of the 2 Freeway and traffic whizzes by very quickly. It is difficult to get a decent photo from the sidewalk but you get an idea of what it used to look like.
[Historical photo: Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection]
Phantom Library: Echo Park Branch (1908- 1925)
The Echo Park Library started as a deposit station inside the Echo Park Clubhouse, which sat on a playground (known locally as Playground No. 2) on Bellevue Avenue. Within the first year, Echo Park had the highest attendance and circulation of playgrounds with deposit stations. During the week the station was open two afternoons, one evening and "all day" on Saturdays. The clubhouse was used by a variety of clubs and organizations so the books were kept in locked bookshelves when library attendants were not present. By the early 1920s a new clubhouse building was being designed and the library took the opportunity to build a branch of their own.
In 1925, the library moved to a rented storefront at 1811 Temple and then to the "new" Echo Park Branch at 520 Glendale Blvd in 1928. After the Sylmar earthquake damaged that structure, the library temporarily took up residence at 515 N. Lavetta Terrace. The current location at 1410 W. Temple opened in 1997.
What happened to the Echo Park clubhouse? Distressed by the plan to demolish the "old" clubhouse for replacement in the 1920s, a Los Angeles clubwoman spoke up and offered a piece of land she owned as a permanent location. The clubhouse was moved from its location on Bellevue to 1004 Echo Park Avenue where it still sits today (seen here via Google Street View).
[Historical photo: Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection]
The Echo Park Library started as a deposit station inside the Echo Park Clubhouse, which sat on a playground (known locally as Playground No. 2) on Bellevue Avenue. Within the first year, Echo Park had the highest attendance and circulation of playgrounds with deposit stations. During the week the station was open two afternoons, one evening and "all day" on Saturdays. The clubhouse was used by a variety of clubs and organizations so the books were kept in locked bookshelves when library attendants were not present. By the early 1920s a new clubhouse building was being designed and the library took the opportunity to build a branch of their own.
In 1925, the library moved to a rented storefront at 1811 Temple and then to the "new" Echo Park Branch at 520 Glendale Blvd in 1928. After the Sylmar earthquake damaged that structure, the library temporarily took up residence at 515 N. Lavetta Terrace. The current location at 1410 W. Temple opened in 1997.
What happened to the Echo Park clubhouse? Distressed by the plan to demolish the "old" clubhouse for replacement in the 1920s, a Los Angeles clubwoman spoke up and offered a piece of land she owned as a permanent location. The clubhouse was moved from its location on Bellevue to 1004 Echo Park Avenue where it still sits today (seen here via Google Street View).
[Historical photo: Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection]
Phantom Library: Watts Branch (1960-1996)
This Watts Branch of the Los Angeles Public LIbrary, located at 1501 East 103rd Street, was opened on July 18, 1960. It was designed by Earl G. Kaltenbach, the architect for several tracts in Orange County, including Rossmoor and Yorba Linda Estates.
At the time of opening, the 3600-sq ft, brick-clad Mid-Century Modern building held 14,000 books, 3.5 staff members and had seating capacity for 19 adults and 16 children. An entrance wall was covered with imported white marble mosaic tiles that extended from the outside into the branch itself.
Circulation in the branch doubled in their first year and eventually the library outgrew the building. A new branch opened in June 1996 around the corner on Compton Avenue.
It's now a Ghost of a Phantom Library-- the building was recently demolished to make way for Kaiser Permanente. Via Google Street View we are able to see images of the building prior to demolition.
[Historical photo: Dick Whittington/Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Collection]
Phantom Library: Tujunga Library/Station (1932-1952)
Tujunga received library service from Los Angeles County prior to the annexation of Tujunga into the city of Los Angeles. Upon annexation, County Librarian Helen Vogleson cancelled the lease at 125 W. El Centro, where the library rented space at $32.50 per month. The Los Angeles Library took over library service, furnishing a supply of books along with tables and chairs for the emptied County branch, and opened July 15, 1932. [El Centro was renamed Valmont along the way and the Tujunga Station address became 7212 Valmont St]
In 1940, there was some talk of moving the Edendale Branch building from 2030 Glendale Blvd over to the grounds of the Tujunga City Hall in order to provide a new library building for Tujunga. The idea was not acted upon and the station was closed April 18, 1952. The book collection was sent to the new Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library that opened July 28, 1952.
This location is now a Ghost of a Phantom Library. The building that housed the Tujunga Station was torn down within the past few months. After all these years standing I was unable to photograph it before it was demolished. Reviewing the building via Google Street Views (seen here) shows the stone work matched up with the photo available at tessa.lapl.org.
[Historic photo: Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Collection]
Tujunga received library service from Los Angeles County prior to the annexation of Tujunga into the city of Los Angeles. Upon annexation, County Librarian Helen Vogleson cancelled the lease at 125 W. El Centro, where the library rented space at $32.50 per month. The Los Angeles Library took over library service, furnishing a supply of books along with tables and chairs for the emptied County branch, and opened July 15, 1932. [El Centro was renamed Valmont along the way and the Tujunga Station address became 7212 Valmont St]
In 1940, there was some talk of moving the Edendale Branch building from 2030 Glendale Blvd over to the grounds of the Tujunga City Hall in order to provide a new library building for Tujunga. The idea was not acted upon and the station was closed April 18, 1952. The book collection was sent to the new Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library that opened July 28, 1952.
This location is now a Ghost of a Phantom Library. The building that housed the Tujunga Station was torn down within the past few months. After all these years standing I was unable to photograph it before it was demolished. Reviewing the building via Google Street Views (seen here) shows the stone work matched up with the photo available at tessa.lapl.org.
[Historic photo: Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Collection]
Phantom Library: Ascot Branch (1939-2005)
This location of the Ascot Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library at 256 W. 70th Street was formally dedicated November 13, 1939. The steel and concrete library, designed by architect Henry F. Withey, was a Public Works Administration (PWA) project. [Withey also designed the John Muir Branch]
The library faced challenges over the years. For instance, the construction of the Harbor Freeway cut the library off from patrons living west of the freeway. The lack of a parking lot at the library became an issue as the population in the area increased. Shelf space also became an issue. A larger branch with a parking lot became a reality in 2005 with the new Ascot Branch at 120 W. Florence.
This location of the Ascot Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library at 256 W. 70th Street was formally dedicated November 13, 1939. The steel and concrete library, designed by architect Henry F. Withey, was a Public Works Administration (PWA) project. [Withey also designed the John Muir Branch]
The library faced challenges over the years. For instance, the construction of the Harbor Freeway cut the library off from patrons living west of the freeway. The lack of a parking lot at the library became an issue as the population in the area increased. Shelf space also became an issue. A larger branch with a parking lot became a reality in 2005 with the new Ascot Branch at 120 W. Florence.
[Historical photo: Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection]
