THE RICHARD J. RIORDAN CENTRAL LIBRARY—Los Angeles, California
New York architect Bertram Goodhue found acclaim on the West Coast with several buildings, the most noted being the Los Angeles Public Library, completed in 1926. Once the Reference Room, the Children’s Department retains much of the space’s original charm, thanks to a meticulous restoration. The ornate ceiling is the work of artist Julian Garnsey, while Albert Herter’s murals, illustrating people and events from California history, line the walls.
Photography courtesy Los Angeles Public Library