Being the destination of choice for winter-fleeing Easterners, Pasadena also offered its residents this large and graceful library at 285 East Walnut St. And with the lot across the street empty, there was also easy parking for all those practically identical cars. This photo was taken in 1930, when among the most popular novels were Edna Ferber’s “Cimarron” and William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying”, and Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon.” I wonder if any of the drivers of those cars were in the library asking for a copy of any of those books.

Dra T. says: “”The first free-to-lend library in the U.S, therefore source of learning information creating opportunities for first black millionaires, and Jackie Robinson, when that amount was thousands of times rarer, which was rebuilt by the city’s combined white and black great wealth after a disastrous fire leaving only its front portico in a then-named Memorial Park, that library?”

“Actually ‘survived intact’ proved only partially true. Several million was appropriated for an earthquake retrofit in a previous admin years past. During a ‘post-Covid’ health measures inspection it was noticed that the work had yet to be done. As a result, the public was denied admission. For years, only volunteer personnel were admitted to retrieve requested books for patrons to be picked up at other branches. Former city official(s) were investigated to trace funds disappearance. Usage of materials declined precipitously. The building and work re-awaited re-funding.” – from Tulsa Davenport’s Free Stories of L A Noir, III, © all rights reserved, 2023.

Michael S. says: “It is still closed to the public.”

I don’t often get to say this, but Pasadena’s library has survived intact. This image is from June 2022.