Oxnard Public Library
Also known as: Oxnard Chamber of Commerce - Art Club of Oxnard
Why it's listed
Built in 1906-1907 at the corner of C and Fifth Streets in Oxnard, this Carnegie library was funded by a $12,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie toward a total cost of $16,016, plus local subscription. Architect Franklin P. Burnham gave it a Greek design with Doric columns, a full entablature and pediments on three sides, all set on a high podium. It opened on May 15, 1907, as the city's first public library and the first in Ventura County, and it also housed Oxnard's first City Hall. A 1923 addition provided more library space and city offices. The library function ended in 1963, after which the Chamber of Commerce used the building and the basement housed an art gallery. The nomination calls it one of the few remaining Carnegie buildings in Southern California and a rare example of Grecian architecture on the West Coast. Film and television studios have also used it as a set.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building has both historical and architectural significance. It was Oxnard's first public library, the first in Ventura County, and also served as the city's first City Hall. It is described as an outstanding example of Greek-style architecture in Southern California and one of the few remaining Carnegie buildings in the region.
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 71000210, listed July 27, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 424 S. C St., Oxnard |
|---|---|
| County | Ventura County |
| Listed | July 27, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000210 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect Franklin P. Burnham; contractor T. H. Carroll |
| Architectural style | Greek (Grecian) style with Doric columns |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | As of 1971 the building was in excellent, sound condition and in use as offices of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce and the Oxnard Art Gallery/Art Club in the basement. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 34.19833, -119.18092 (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 71000210.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5043873
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.