Corona in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Andrew Carnegie Library

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, March 20, 2025

1. Andrew Carnegie Library Marker

Inscription.
Andrew Carnegie Library
Franklin P. Burnham, Architect
S.L. Bloom, Contractor

Corona's first public library building was built in 1906 in the Neoclassical architectural style. It was the only Neoclassical style masonry building in the City. It was funded with a generous $10,000 grant and $1,500 supplement from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation in addition to $500 in locally raised funds. This beautiful facility, sited at 805 S. Main Street, served the community's needs from 1906 to 1971 when the second library building opened at 650 S. Main Street. The dark wood interior trim contrasted with its cream-colored walls and pillars. There were large fireplaces in each main floor room and a large dome-like skylight ensured diffused lighting for day-time patrons. The children's collection was relocated to the basement in 1934.

It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and then sold and abruptly demolished in 1978.

Erected by Corona Historic Preservation Society. (Marker Number 15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 33° 52.388′ N, 117°

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33.99′ W. Marker is in Corona, California, in Riverside County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and East 8th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 South Main Street, Corona CA 92882, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Baptist Church of Corona (within shouting distance of this marker); Woman's Improvement Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Corona's 1-Mile Diameter Grand Boulevard Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Corona's Final Road Race - Start/Finish Line April 8, 1916 (approx. half a mile away); Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Corona Founders (approx. 0.6 miles away); Corona High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Corona Historic Preservation Society (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corona.

Site of Corona's Andrew Carnegie Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, March 20, 2025

2. Site of Corona's Andrew Carnegie Library

The marker is visible on the left side of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. This page has been viewed 490 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.