Cahuenga Branch
Why it's listed
Cahuenga Branch Library is a one-story Italian Renaissance building at 4591 W. Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. Completed in 1916 to designs by Clarence H. Russell, it has a high basement, a low hipped clay tile roof, and walls faced in tawny tapestry brick. A double stairway with volutes rises to a veranda with a classical balustrade, and the interior follows a butterfly plan with separate reading rooms for adults and children. It was the last and smallest of six Los Angeles branch libraries built with a $200,000 Carnegie grant, and it is one of only three that survive, along with Vermont Square and Lincoln Heights. Conceived as a community center as well as a library, it included a below-street-level auditorium that hosted Red Cross and food conservation activities during World War I and rehearsals and recitals in the 1920s. The library has served a changing, ethnically diverse neighborhood, and its formal design is uncommon among branch libraries.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the library is significant for its role in the East Hollywood community and as an outstanding example of public architecture. It was the last and smallest of six Los Angeles branch libraries funded by a $200,000 Andrew Carnegie grant. It is one of only three of those six that remain.
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 87001006, listed May 19, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4591 W. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 19, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001006 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | C. H. Russell (Clarence H. Russell) |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as a well-maintained landscape setting; the library still offers services including outreach programs and multilingual staff. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 34.09119, -118.28887 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 87001006.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14681670
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.