A Brief History of the Los Angeles Central Library
The Los Angeles Central Library is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. It is also one of the most important, as it houses millions of books, periodicals, and other resources that are used by Angelenos every day. But how did this landmark come to be? Read on to find out.
The Beginnings of the Library
The history of the Los Angeles Central Library begins in 1872, when a group of citizens formed the Los Angeles Library Association. This organization operated out of a variety of locations until 1887, when they raised enough money to purchase a lot on Spring Street and construct a permanent home for the library.
However, just four years after opening, the library was destroyed by a fire that swept through downtown Los Angeles. Undaunted, the Library Association set to work rebuilding, and in time they had constructed an even larger and more impressive building on the same site. Once again, tragedy struck in 1910 when another fire gutted the interior of the library.
This time, rather than rebuild on the same spot, the Library Association decided to move to a new location. They settled on a parcel of land at 6th and Olive Streets, where construction on the current Los Angeles Central Library began in 1912. The building was finally completed in 1926, and it has been serving Angelenos ever since.
The Los Angeles Central Library is one of the most important institutions in the city. It houses millions of books and other resources that are used by residents every day. The library has a long and fascinating history, dating back to 1872 when a group of citizens first formed the Los Angeles Library Association. If you’re ever in downtown LA, be sure to take a walk past this iconic building and pay your respects to one of LA’s most important landmarks.