AKA: City of Watts, Carnegie Library, Watts, CA; Los Angeles Public Library, Watts Branch #1, Watts, Los Angeles, CA

Structure Type: built works - social and civic buildings - libraries

Designers: Jeffery, Elmore Robinson, Architect (firm); Elmore Robinson Jeffery (architect)

Dates: constructed 1913-1914

1 story

9901 Grandee Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90002-3908

OpenStreetMap (new tab)
Google Map (new tab)
click to view google map
Google Streetview (new tab)
click to view google map

The first public library serving the City of Watts was housed in extra space in the City Hall in 1913. At the same time, efforts to obtain Carnegie Corporation matching grants for a dedicated public library were under way. In 1914, this Carnegie-financed facility at 9901 Grandee Avenue opened. Watts was annexed by the City of Los Angeles in 1926, and the Watts Carnegie Library became absorbed into the Los Angeles Public Library system. The library operated until 1960, when a second library serving Watts opened.

Architect Jeffery designed a standard Beaux-Arts Classical design for the Watts Public Library. Like most, it was bi-laterally symmetrical and had one story, this resting on high basement foundations. A projecting portico covered the main entry, the pediment supported by paired classical columns.

Demolished after 1960;

PCAD id: 1524