Lompoc Public Library
Also known as: Lompoc Museum; Old Carnegie Library
Why it's listed
Lompoc's former Carnegie library is a brick building of one story over a raised basement at 200 S. H Street, finished in 1911 and designed by W.H. Weeks. Its apricot-colored brick is set off by cream trim, and a pedimented portico with tall paired fluted columns gives it the look of a Greek temple. Egg-and-dart detailing runs beneath the cornice. The library was funded by a $10,000 Carnegie grant offered in 1909, after the town board and local women's clubs pursued the money. Local contractor A.D. Burke built it, and it opened to the public on August 14, 1911. Designed for 8,000 volumes, it became crowded as the area grew, particularly after Vandenberg Air Force Base arrived. A new library opened in 1969, and the old building became a museum for the Clarence Ruth archaeological and ethnographic collection. Changes have been few, and the building keeps its original style, scale and craftsmanship.
Significance in brief: The building is a well-preserved example of Classical Revival architecture in the Greek temple mode, with a pedimented portico and paired columns. It also reflects the town's social history: women's clubs helped secure a $10,000 Carnegie grant, and the building served as the public library until 1969 before becoming a museum.
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 90001818, listed December 10, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 200 S. H St., Lompoc |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Barbara County |
| Listed | December 10, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001818 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1911-1921 |
| Architect / builder | Weeks, William H. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now in use as the Lompoc Museum, with only minor alterations such as interior rearrangement for displays and new aluminum entrance doors. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.63703, -120.45762 (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.
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 90001818.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133522298
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.