Carnegie, Andrew, Library
Also known as: Old Corona Public Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1906 at the corner of Eighth and Main Streets, this Corona library is a Neo-Classical building faced in cream-colored pressed brick with stone and concrete trim. Four fluted Ionic columns support a carved pediment at the entrance, and inside a dome-like skylight rises over a central lobby flanked by two reading halls. Corona residents had wanted a library since 1893, when it was seen as an alternative to the town's saloons. A reading room opened in 1896, and the Women's Improvement Club later raised funds. After two years of negotiation with Andrew Carnegie's circle, a grant of $10,000 and $1,500, plus $500 raised locally, paid for construction. Architect Franklin Pierce Burnham designed it, and the Corona Pressed Brick Company made the facing brick. It is noted as the town's only Neo-Classical building and one of the few surviving Carnegie libraries in California, and as an early public building reflecting community cultural aspirations.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the only Neo-Classical building in Corona and one of the few remaining Carnegie libraries in California. It was designed by Franklin Pierce Burnham, described as one of Southern California's most respected architects. As one of Corona's first public buildings, it reflects the new community's push toward cultural enrichment.
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 77000324, listed June 29, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 8th and Main Sts., Corona |
|---|---|
| County | Riverside County |
| Listed | June 29, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000324 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Builder - S. L. Bloom; Architect - F. P. Burnham |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Fair condition; plaster in poor condition and many windows and doors need replacing. Owned by the City of Corona; status marked unoccupied, with only one known exterior alteration (a basement door added). |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 33.87307, -117.56636 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 77000324.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q85741625
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.