Stevenson, Robert Louis, Branch
Why it's listed
Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library, at 803 Spence Street in Los Angeles, was built in 1927 and designed by George L. Lindsay. It is a one-story, L-shaped brick building with a tiled gable roof, set along the rear edge of a corner residential lot. The style is Mediterranean-inspired, blending Spanish Colonial Revival features with Classical details. The entrance, framed by cast stone quoins, sits where the two wings meet and is angled to the streets, reached by a diagonal walk across the lawn to paired paneled doors. Arched multi-pane casement windows flank the door, and the gable ends have large picture windows and gable returns. Inside are a central charging desk and a fireplace in the children's room. The red brick and red tile contrast strongly with the surrounding stucco houses, which sets the library apart as a public building in a residential neighborhood. The Spanish style is common across east Los Angeles. The property was listed as part of a group of the city's branch libraries.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a Mediterranean-inspired library combining Spanish Colonial Revival style with Classical details. Its red brick walls and red tile roof contrast with the surrounding wood-frame stucco houses, marking it as an institutional building in a residential neighborhood. The Spanish style is described as common throughout east 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 87001021, listed May 19, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 803 Spence St., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 19, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001021 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | George L. Lindsay |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean inspired, combining Spanish Colonial Revival style with Classical details |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 34.02772, -118.19823 (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 87001021.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7347002
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.