Andrew Carnegie Library (Corona, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Andrew Carnegie Library
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Location | 8th and Main Sts., Corona, California |
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Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
Built | 1905-06 |
Built by | S.L. Bloom |
Architect | Franklin Pierce Burnham |
Architectural style | Classical Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 77000324 |
Added to NRHP | June 29, 1977 |
The Andrew Carnegie Library was a special building in Corona, California. It was built between 1905 and 1906. This library was one of many "Carnegie libraries" built across the country. It was located at 8th and Main Streets.
People also called it the Old Corona Public Library. In 1977, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical places in the United States. Sadly, the building was torn down in 1978. Even though it's gone, it still remains on the historic list.
Contents
The Andrew Carnegie Library
The decision to tear down the library was very upsetting to many people. They had worked hard to save the building. For a long time after it was demolished, the land remained an empty space.
Design and Use
The Andrew Carnegie Library was designed by an architect named Franklin Pierce Burnham. He used a style called Classical Revival architecture. This style looks a lot like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It was the only building in Corona with this specific look. The library served as Corona's main public library for many years. It was open from 1906 until 1971.
A New Library for Corona
In 1971, a brand new library opened in Corona. It was much bigger, about 19,000 square feet (1,800 m2) in size. This new library was built at Sixth and Main Streets. Later, in 1988, the new library was made even bigger. This happened after people voted to approve money for the expansion.
A Look Back at Corona's Libraries
Corona has a long history of libraries. It started in 1893 with a reading room run by the WCTU. This was a group that promoted good habits. Then, in 1895, the YMCA took over the library. Later, the Women's Improvement Club managed it. Finally, the city of Corona took charge of the library in 1900.
Before the Carnegie Library, these early libraries were in rented rooms. In March 1905, the city received $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie to build a proper library. This amount was later increased to $11,500. A man named J. A. Flagler helped with this. He was a friend of Andrew Carnegie and had connections in Corona. Construction began in August 1905. The Andrew Carnegie Library officially opened on July 2, 1906.