Fullerton residents have regained a beloved library, one of Orange County’s historic mid-century modern buildings, following 11 years of closure and a four-phase restoration to revitalize the structure.
Gifted to the City of Fullerton by industrialist and art collector Norton Simon in 1962, the mid-century modern library was designed by William Pereira, an architect known for his work across Orange County.
“When you come in, it’s like you have your own space,” said Jennifer Pak, Library Technical Assistant at the Fullerton Public Library. “The library is mid-century modern, and it’s like being in another place. The library takes you somewhere else, especially with all of the greenery.”
“The International style of architecture that was preserved and the park-like setting and its trees,” Judy Booth, Library Director with the Fullerton Public Library, said in an email after being asked what the Hunt’s most unique features were.
“The railroad that passes on the north of the property is a reminder of Fullerton’s beginnings as a railroad town that still is the conduit for products moving from the Los Angeles – Long Beach Ports to the rest of the country,” she wrote.
Mid-century modern is an architectural style prevalent during the 20th century that is characterized by floor-to-ceiling windows, indoor-outdoor living, open floor plans and clean lines.
Orange County is home to a number of other mid-century case studies, such as Richard Neutra’s Orange County Courthouse and Rudolf Schindler’s Lovell Beach House.
“It is vitally important to grow as a city because that is how a city survives, but I think we need to retain our past so we can let people enjoy it in the future,” said Ernie Kelsey, President of Fullerton Heritage, a local preservationist group.
Fullerton Heritage was instrumental in securing the library’s status on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Archive image of the Hunt Branch Library. Credit: LOCAL HISTORY ROOM, FULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY -
Archive image of the Hunt Branch Library. Credit: LOCAL HISTORY ROOM, FULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY -
Archive image of the Hunt Branch Library. Credit: LOCAL HISTORY ROOM, FULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY -
Archive image of the Hunt Branch Library. Credit: LOCAL HISTORY ROOM, FULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Hunt served the community for 50 years before it was defunded by city council and leased to Grace Ministries International in 2013. By that time, the library’s hours were cut significantly due to a lack of funding, with some city council members in favor of selling the library.
After the property appeared for sale as a surplus property listing, Save the Hunt and other community activism groups banded together to fight for the library’s preservation.
5 years later, councilmember Jesus Silva called for the creation of a Library Ad Hoc Committee. The library’s revitalization was galvanized in 2019 by a $2.5 million California State Library grant and again in 2021 when another $2.75 million in state funding was acquired.
Fullerton city council voted unanimously last June to reopen the library.
Across four restoration phases, the library was outfitted with fencing around the property, improved water and sewer, a roof replacement, grounds refurbishment and other renovations to the building.
Restoration cost around $7 million, according to Booth.
Library officials are excited to see residents connecting with the new facility – offering a family storytime, afternoon crafts and a game day each month.
“The Hunt Library’s reopening is great for the community because the neighborhoods around here may not have access to go all the way over to the main branch,” said Pak.
“One of my reasons for being a librarian is to serve the underserved and the people that can’t always get to the main library,” said Deanna White, Adult Services Librarian with the Fullerton Public Library. “Some of this community over here may not have access to cars or computers, let alone books. This reopening is very important because they have access to that here.”
Family Storytime is held on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m..
On the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, families can enjoy crafts at 2:00 p.m..
Every third Saturday of the month, the library will host a game day from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..
Erika Taylor is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow and photojournalist. You can find her on Instagram @camerakeepsrolling or email at etaylor@voiceofoc.org
