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Let us start your tour with a brief history of the Pasadena
Public Library. Central Library is the third of three buildings the Library has
occupied since its founding in 1882.
Photo of Library Share |
Pasadena Public Library was
founded December 26, 1882 as private subscription library under the name
"Pasadena Library and Village Improvement Society." The
Library's founding thus predates the City's incorporation by four years. |
| Our first building was on Central School
grounds, south side of Colorado St. between Raymond St.and Santa Fe tracks, and opened
Feb. 26, 1884. This building was moved to 42 West Dayton St. in 1886. |
Photo of the First Library Building
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Raymond Building |
Our second building, which opened on Sept. 9,
1890, was an impressive stone structure located on the southeast corner of Walnut Street
at Raymond Avenue in what is now known as memorial Park. |
| Although this building was expanded in 1901
and Children’s services had moved to a bungalow in Library Park, the existing space
was insufficient to meet the needs of a growing City. |
Children's Bungalow
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Drawing of Proposed
Bennett, Parsons & Frost Plan
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Influenced by a nationwide "City
Beautiful" movement, Pasadenans began to discuss building a civic center as early as
1902. In 1922, the Chicago firm of Bennett, Parsons, and Frost were hired to devise a plan
for Pasadena. In June 1923, the voters approved a $3.5 million bond issue to build the
Library, City Hall, and Civic Auditorium according to the arrangement proposed by the
Bennett, Parsons, and Frost plan. |
An architectural competition was held to
choose the architects for all three buildings. Ten California architectural firms were
invited to submit drawings for all three buildings and were advised to use the
architectural styles of the Renaissance or later periods as found in Mediterranean
countries.
Drawing of Myron Hunt
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In 1924, the design for the Library submitted
by the firm of Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers placed first. The beautiful entry, patio,
handsome facade, and good provision for expansion were key factors in the decision. |
Construction began May 19, 1925 . This is why
the year 1925 is carved in Roman numerals over the front entrance of the building after
"Public Library of the City of Pasadena."
Photo of South
Elevation
Photo of the West End of the Library
Building in Construction
Photocopy of Article, Pasadena Star- News
2/11/1927 |
Central Library was dedicated on Lincoln's
birthday (February 12), 1927, the first building in Pasadena's now famous Civic Center.
The Library, as well as the entire Civic Center, is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Over the years, Central Library has been the location
for some major motion pictures. |
Central Library underwent a massive,
historically sensitive restoration and renovation, which took place between 1984 and 1990.
The Pasadena Public Library Foundation paid
for all interior restoration with the exception of the book stacks, which were funded
through a combination of federal, state and local funds.
The Foundation was formed in 1983 as a
non-profit, tax-exempt corporation and to date has raised over $3 million in individual,
foundation, and corporate gifts specifically earmarked for architectural renovation and
preservation of Central Library.
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