Grand Opening -1962
Opening Day On September 12, 1962, the new Hunt Foods Foundation Library opened its doors to the public. A gift of Norton Simon’s Hunt Foods, the building was designed by William Pereira. Situated in a large park-like setting, the library proved especially popular with families and young children, loaning 37,000 books in the first 90 days of operation. Among the many young patrons was six-year-old Hope Fisher, opening day’s master of ceremonies, and the recipient of the first library card issued by the new library. Click the Image for more Opening Day Photos
1960s
It was a Night in Fullerton, and the brightly lit library and seven-acre park were overflowing with people. It was the busiest night in its four-year history, and many were on hand for the unveiling of the new sculpture garden. Works by Giacomo Manzu, Henry Moore, Jacques Lipchitz, Aristide Maillol, and Auguste Rodin were all on loan from the Norton Simon Foundation, but it was "Tall Figure I" and "Tall Figure IV" by Swiss sculpture Alberto Giacometti that drew the most attention to the library’s porch. For more Hunt Highlights from the 1960s…click in the image.
1970s
A $50,000 oil painting was stolen from the Hunt Branch Library April 2, 1972 after a thief hammered his way through a large window. Police nearly captured the man, who apparently dashed inside the west reading room, grabbed the nearest painting, and left. The painting entitled “The Lacemaker”, by Girolamo Forabosco, was a 17th century original owned by Norton Simon Inc. and measured about 20 inches by 32 inches. It was nearly two years later when Justice Department Strike Force agents from Los Angeles were able to recover the stolen masterpiece in Las Vegas, Nevada. To learn more about the happenings at Hunt Branch in the 1970s...click the image.
1980s
In the early 1980s, a group of Hunt supporters, concerned about a lack of city funding, formed a support group, the Hunt Branch Boosters. The first president, Loretta Hoey, collected more than 300 signature from community backers to move forward with the endeavor. Operating as a subsidiary of the Friends of the Fullerton Library, the Boosters purpose was to promote the resources and programs of the Hunt Branch beyond the West Fullerton community. Among their accomplishments were the installation of directional signage, lecture and film series, and the establishment of a “coffee garden.” For more Hunt Highlights from the 1980s…click in the image.
1990s
Notable artist and muralist, Emigdio Vasquez, one of five of Orange County’s leading Latino artists was featured in the exhibit, “Obras de Oclan” at the Hunt Branch Library. OCLAN, the Orange County Latino Artist Network, was an organization working to enhance the “ethnic, historic, and social traditions of the local Latino community.” Vasquez, who got his master’s degree from Cal State Fullerton, has painted murals all over Fullerton, including the Lemon Park and Lemon Street, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Fullerton Museum Center. For more Hunt Highlights from the 1990s…click in the image.
2000s
Fullertonian Carlos Miro, creator of a new sport “Heatball”, was on hand at the Hunt Branch Library for the unveiling of the only Heatball Court in the United States. Heatball is a game played on skates for all age levels and can be played by athletes in wheelchairs. A futuristic sport involving balls and baskets, the first Heatball League was formed on December 15, 2003. The first 200 participants received a plague recognizing them as the first Heatball players ever! For more Hunt Highlights from the 2000s…click in the image.
Building Architect - William Pereira
Master Architect William Pereira, recognized as one of the great architects of the twentieth century, designed the 10,5000 sq. foot Hunt Library in the International Style popular in the 1960s. Pereira’s modernism style helped to define the look of twentieth-century Southern California. The Hunt Library qualified as a Local Landmark in 2018 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the larger Hunt Center in 2019. Learn more by clicking the image above.
Norton Simon
From the start, the Hunt Library was viewed as a cultural center for Fullerton, and over the years many artists and collections were exhibited. Using Hunt Foundation funds, Norton Simon turned part of the library into an art gallery and study center. He donated a collection of 400 art books worth $5800 in 1963 and soon began installing artwork from his growing collection on the walls and grounds. The Hunt Foundation continued to loan and display art in the Hunt Library until 1974. Read more about Norton Simon by clicking the image above.