Fremont, John C., Branch
Why it's listed
Built in 1927 at the corner of June Street and Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, the John C. Fremont Branch Library is a one-story, L-plan building of stucco-finished brick with a gabled tile roof. A round entry portico sits in the angle of the L, reached by curved tiled stairs with wrought-iron railings and framed by scored piers with decorative capitals. Inside is a single large room with a central charging desk, original oak tables and chairs, and dark-stained wood trusses. Local architect Merl Lee Barker designed it for about $20,000, and it was named for the explorer, soldier and politician John C. Fremont. The branch grew from a 1912 reading room called Colegrove Station, which later became a sub-branch of the Hollywood Branch and moved to a bungalow in 1923. The building was listed as a notable Mediterranean design that fits its residential surroundings and as a long-serving neighborhood institution, and it continues to serve the community today.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as a significant cultural and social institution for the Hancock Park and South Hollywood areas. It is also a notable example of Mediterranean architecture, with a round portico, designed to harmonize with the surrounding largely Mediterranean-style neighborhood. It is part of a thematic grouping of Los Angeles branch libraries.
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 87001009, listed May 19, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 6121 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 19, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001009 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | M. I. Barker (Merl Lee Barker) |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The library still serves the same community, providing for its social and educational needs. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 34.08350, -118.33395 (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 87001009.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14682518
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.