Richard Henry Dana Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library

Richard Henry Dana Branch Library, [n.d], photo by Dick Whittington, 

Security Pacific National Bank Collection, 

Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection

On May 3, 1927 at 1p.m. the Richard Henry Dana Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library threw open its doors to the public at 3320 Pepper Avenue in Cypress Park. This branch, originally called the Dayton Avenue Branch, opened October 11, 1920 and closed April 30, 1927 to move into their new building. 

Information on the branch's history, available via tessa.lapl.org, includes a letter from the branch architect, Harry Sims Bent (best known for work in Honolulu and locally at the Arboretum). Bent described his thinking behind choosing the Colonial Style to fit in with the residential surroundings. He praised the style on its "simplicity, unpretentiousness, dignity and repose." 

(Left): Dayton Avenue Branch Library 

(507 West Avenue 28), [n.d], 

Security Pacific National Bank Collection, 

Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection

Photos in the late 1920s/early 1930s show the branch's popularity with children, a fact echoed by the aforementioned branch history. The building is now the Cypress Park Club House and the Cypress Park Branch Library is now at 1150 Cypress.

(Right): Children reading on the back patio of the library, [n.d],  Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection