37.8023, −122.4128 A locator map appears here once a Mapbox token is configured.
Know This Place

District 3 · Block 0075, Lot 002 · ZIP 94133

North Beach Branch Library

2000 Mason Street

  • Assessor class: vacant lot
  • 123,748 ft2 lot area
  • Historic resource
  • Individually listed on the National Register
37.8023, −122.4128 Street View appears here once a Google Maps embed key is configured.
  1. 1935–1941

    The Works Progress Administration laid new asphalt on the playground here.

    San Francisco New Deal Historic Context Statement, adopted 2023
  2. 1958

    North Beach Branch Library, designed by Appleton & Wolfard. The building has since been demolished.

    Architecture, Planning & Preservation Professionals: A Collection of Biographies, adopted 2021
  3. 1959

    The North Beach branch library was built on the west edge of the Joe DiMaggio Playground at Mason Street and Columbus Avenue, after a long fight over taking playground land. Designed by Appleton & Wolfard, the fifth of their post-war branch libraries, it was a brick building in the suburban Ranch manner — low gable roof on exposed glued-laminated beams, a fireplace in a living-room-like reading area, storefront-style glazed entries and a book display case — set hard against the Mason Street sidewalk to spare the playground.

    National Register of Historic Places nomination, National Park Service
  4. August 8, 2011

    Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a good example of Mid-Century Modern Ranch design, rare for a public building in San Francisco, and of the post-war library programme Appleton & Wolfard designed for the city.

    National Register of Historic Places nomination, National Park Service
  5. Dec 2011
    Issued Permit 201112190918 $$$ $105,000

    At site of demolished library, retaining berm & new fence to be constructed. existing irrigation system to be extended. new site light fixture added. new drinking fountain added.

  6. Dec 2011
    Issued Permit 201112190926 $$$ $325,000

    Demolish two story library building.

  7. Dec 2011
    Issued Permit M293168 $$$ $159

    To legalize address to library at 2000 mason street.

  8. Feb 2014
    Permit 201402198827 $$$ $1

    As built to app#201308023409. added 15 smoke detectors.

  9. May 2014
    Permit 201405065006 $$$ $1,000

    As built to permit application 201402198827 add 2 duct detectors & shunt trip. n/a ordinance #155-13.

  10. May 2014
    Permit 201405085199 $$$ $2,000,000

    Renovation of existing playground, resurfacing of asphalt sports courts. n/a ordinance #155-13.

  11. Feb 2016
    Permit 201602169650 $$$ $6,300

    Like for like voluntary fire system replacement with new control panel, smoke & heat detectors pull stns @same location.existingnotification appliances will be tie-in to new panel, ref. 200409224838.

  12. Mar 2016
    Issued Permit 201603283258 $$$ $1

    To obtain final inspection for work approved under permit application 201302260995, 201211164370 and 201210111843. all work is complete.

  13. Apr 2016
    Permit 201604084303 $$$ $1

    Fire alarm as built for permit application 201602169650.

  14. Jan 2026
    Issued Permit 202601093553 $$$ $5,000

    As builts to p.a.#201602169650 due to panel malfunction initiating devices replaced with new at same location. new radio installed.

6 nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permits are omitted from the timeline. The library's construction is dated 1958 in one entry here and 1959 in another.

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