Irving, Washington, Branch
Why it's listed
Built in 1926 at Arlington Avenue and 18th Street in Los Angeles, this one-story branch library was designed by Allison and Allison, a firm known for churches, schools and public buildings. The hollow tile structure is finished in brick and stucco, with a tiled roof, side-facing gables, a bay window on the east side and a long paved terrace with a metal railing. Brick banding between the windows recalls Lombardy and Tuscany, and leaded glass in triangular and circular patterns fills the casements. Inside are a beamed reading room, an apsidal bay window, a children's room and a club room with a fireplace. The library began with a 1922 campaign by the West Washington Improvement Association, which won a city lot. It was dedicated in January 1927 and cost $37,000 plus furnishings. Its residential scale suits the surrounding Craftsman neighborhood, and it has served Irish, Italian, Black and Hispanic residents in turn. It is part of a group of city libraries.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the library is significant for both its architecture and its history. It is an outstanding example of public architecture with distinctive brick and stucco work and unique leaded glass windows. It also grew out of a community campaign and has served successive neighborhood groups.
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 87001010, listed May 19, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1803 S. Arlington Ave., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 19, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001010 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Allison and Allison |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 34.03957, -118.31788 (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 87001010.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7971991
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.