The Clark Library

When West Adams is touted as a community, much is usually made of the fine late 19th/early 20th century housing stock, centrality, and espirit de corps. The commercial corridors are generally assailed, the public schools bemoaned. Seldom are the cultural attributes exclaimed.

The William Andrews Clark Library (the Center for 17th & 18th Century Studies) is located at 2520 Cimarron St. (between Adams & 25th in Kinney Heights). The library, affiliated with UCLA, is a rare books and manuscripts collection with particular strengths in English literature, history, Oscar Wilde, and fine printing.

The collection was established and the opulent library built, between 1924-26, by West Adams resident, book collector and philanthropist William Andrews Clark Jr..

While the collection is non-circulating, it's available to "readers", free, daily from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. (Though currently the library is closed due to building improvements.)





Tours of the library, built by architect Charles Whittlesby, and the lavish non-reading rooms, are also available, by appointment only, by calling 323-735-7605.

The library and grounds consume an entire city block.