Martinez City Library
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Why it's listed
Built in 1941 at the corner of Court and Ward Streets in Martinez, this concrete library combines a one-story main hall, with ceilings over 20 feet high, and a basement used for staff offices and storage. Architect E. Geoffrey Bangs designed it in the Art Deco/Classic Moderne manner, with fluted false pilasters, banded fleuron relief at the roofline, steel-frame windows and zigzag door surrounds. The original design was larger, but Public Works Administration money was no longer available in 1939, so the plan was cut and the budget fell from $45,000 to $30,000; the finished building cost about $50,000 without federal funds. Original wood shelving, interior doors and the central service desk survive. The exterior has changed little apart from a wheelchair ramp, steps and repainting. It is described as the last remaining and second-to-last building of its distinct style erected in Martinez, and it was listed for its architecture at the local level.
Significance in brief: It is significant at the local level under Criterion C in architecture as a good local example of the Art Deco/Classic Moderne style. It is described as the last remaining and second-to-last building erected in Martinez in this distinct style. The building retains its original design, workmanship and materials. Its reduced design also marks the end of the New Deal era locally.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 07001467, listed January 31, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 740 Court St., Martinez |
|---|---|
| County | Contra Costa County |
| Listed | January 31, 2008 |
| Reference number | 07001467 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1941 |
| Architect / builder | Bangs, E. Geoffrey: Architect; Teigland, C.M.: Contractor |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement: Art Deco (Art Deco/Classic Moderne) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a library, part of the Contra Costa County library system; the property is owned by the City of Martinez. Described as retaining good integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.01772, -122.13322 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 07001467.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q27982947
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.