Jefferson Branch
Why it's listed
Jefferson Branch is a small library at 2211 W. Jefferson Boulevard in Los Angeles, completed in 1923 to designs by C. E. Noerenberg. Built of wood frame with plastered walls and a gabled tile roof, it follows an L-plan in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Set back from the street and separated from Leslie M. Shaw Park by a concrete walkway lined with mature palms, it looks almost like a residence. Features include a front gable with a central arched window, a recessed entry with quoins, a stucco chimney, a bay window and decorative tile vents. Inside, a tile fireplace remains on the west wall. The library matters for its siting and construction: it is the only one in the city's branch system oriented toward a pedestrian walkway, serving a residential neighborhood on one side and commercial and transit development on the other. It is also one of few surviving wood frame libraries of its era, and the work of a prolific library designer.
Significance in brief: The nomination says it is the only library in the system oriented toward a pedestrian walkway rather than a public street, giving access to both a residential neighborhood and a commercial and transit strip. It is also one of few remaining wood frame buildings from the period, when most libraries were masonry. It was designed by Noerenberg, described as the most prolific library designer in Los Angeles.
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 87001012, listed May 19, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2211 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 19, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001012 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | C. E. Noerenberg |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The interior appears to have been remodelled with a drop ceiling and new flush doors at the entry; the building is described as a library branch. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 34.02222, -118.31718 (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 87001012.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6175380
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.