Construction on the Pasadena Public Library began on May 19, 1925. Myron Hunt and H.C. Chamber's designs for the library were chosen during a 1924 competition between nine architects vying for the commission. Competition judges included Dr. George E. Hale and artist Ernest A. Batchelder.
Plans for the Pasadena Public Library submitted by Myron Hunt,
Pasadena Digital History Collaboration
Reading newspaper accounts during the early months of 1925 (namely the Pasadena Post) there was much drama inflicted towards the contractor (William Crowell); there were cantankerous members of the board of city directors; there were ill-feelings of some about the influence of Chicagoans in Pasadena's architectural plans (e.g the influence of the City Beautiful Movement and Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, plus Myron Hunt had gone to school in Chicago but moved to Southern California in 1903); and, according to the Pasadena Post, the architects appeared to disagree on the size of sand grain that should be used in the concrete (Hunt voted for fine grain while Chambers preferred coarse grain). Did I mention it rained the day they started construction?
The Pasadena Library did a wonderful job putting together Central Library's history and architecture on their website.
Sadly, the Central Library is closed until further notice due to seismic safety issues. Looking forward to visiting it when it can reopen.
Harold A. Parker Studio Collection of Negatives, Huntington Digital Library
No comments:
Post a Comment