{"nrhp_refnum":"81000150","name":"Kern Branch, Beale Memorial Library","other_names":[],"category":"building","location":{"address":"1400 Baker St.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Bakersfield","county":"Kern County","state":"CA","lat":35.383525503000044,"lon":-118.99098164499998,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1981-04-01","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Architecture"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A reinforced concrete public library building at 1400 Baker Street in East Bakersfield, Kern County, California, designed by architect O. L. Clark and built 1913-15 by Curry & Dolgar (also spelled Dolger) as the Kern Branch of the Beale Memorial Library.","why_significant":"The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion A for its role as a public library in the local community, and under Criterion C as a strong example of Classical Revival styling considered appropriate for early 20th century public buildings. It is the only intact work of architect O. L. Clark remaining in Kern County and retains an unusually high level of integrity.","narrative":"Known locally as the Baker Street Library, this building at 1400 Baker Street in East Bakersfield began as the Kern Branch of the Beale Memorial Library. Voters approved a $22,000 bond in 1912, architect O. L. Clark's design was accepted in 1913, and construction started that August. After delays the building was finished in May 1915 and opened that July. It is reinforced concrete with scored stucco that imitates stone, a central block with arched windows and pilasters, and a front portico with paired columns. The interior keeps its classical detailing, and the building has had only minor changes, such as parking paved on the grounds and added air conditioning equipment. It is the only surviving intact work in Kern County by Clark, whose other buildings, including the old county jail, were lost in the 1952 earthquakes. It has served as a library for 65 years and is regarded as a strong local example of Classical Revival design.","period_of_significance":"1900-","architect_builder":"O. L. Clark, Architect; Curry & Dolgar, Contractors","architectural_style":"Classical Revival (with Neo-Classical and Beaux Arts elements)","criteria":["A","C"],"status_note":"Still functions as a public library in its original capacity, occupied and in excellent condition with only minor alterations.","vacant_flag":false,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:55:31.189865-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_CA/81000150.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/81000150/70dac5ae6b-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/81000150/70dac5ae6b-1600.webp","licence":"CC BY 3.0","author":"Bobak Ha'Eri","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-0726-CA-Bakersfield-BakerLib.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\">Bobak Ha'Eri</a>, <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC BY 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-0726-CA-Bakersfield-BakerLib.jpg"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123858861","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kern_Branch,_Beale_Memorial_Library","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14682935"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/california/kern-county/kern-branch-beale-memorial-library-81000150/"}