Vintage Photo Friday - L.A. Memorial Library
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| L.A. Memorial Library, 1930. Herald Examiner Photo Collection |
Across Olympic Boulevard from Los Angeles High School stands the Los Angeles Memorial Library. This is a beautiful building. From the LAPL site: The history of the Memorial Branch Library began in 1923, seven years before the building opened. That year, the land on which the library now stands was purchased by the student body and alumni association of Los Angeles High School, and deeded to the City of Los Angeles in commemoration of twenty alumni who died in World War I. Six years later, the city gave the Los Angeles Public Library the right to establish a branch on the site.
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| Proposed Rendering of L.A. Memorial Library |
The library formally opened on April 29, 1930. The architectural firm Austin and Ashley designed the building in a picturesque English Tudor style to harmonize with the high school building across Olympic Boulevard, which they also designed. The students of Los Angeles High School commissioned a stained glass window with the names of the twenty alumni and an inscription stating hope for “peace among nations.” The window, designed by the renowned Judson Art Studio, was inspired by those in the Parliament Building of London and was installed in the adult reading room.
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| The Library today. It hasn't changed much! |
The Library building used to mirror the architecture of Los Angeles High School, across the street. The historic main building and several others at L.A. High were damaged during the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. Less than beautiful buildings replaced the originals. Sigh.
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| Judson Art Studios Stained Glass Windows Commemorating Fallen WW I Alumni |
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| Side of L.A. Memorial Library Building , 2012 |
The Library Park is a lovely place to sit and knit. We should return!
Labels: Architecture, Art, Los Angeles, Vintage Photos, yarny stuff
posted by Ellen Bloom @ 12:41 PM
5 Comments:
I;ve driven by but never stopped, I should or at least come knit with you in the park
I haven't knit there in a few years. Lately, I've been traveling to Clover Park in SM. I do like the LA Memorial Library Park because it's very small.
Ah yes, the Sylmar quake, my first. I remember around that time that the TV series "Room 222" used the exterior of LAHS for the show's opening, and more. It was a beautiful building.
This building reminds me of so many that were around when I was growing up. The elementary school I went to used a lot of the same elements. Playing in the orchestra I spent a lot of time in the auditorium which had a similar beam ceiling and feel as this grand building. Thanks for posting this.
Exactly, Lizzy! At least we can watch old episodes of "Room 222" and "Mr. Novak" to see what L.A. High School used to look like!
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