Return by Water

Surf City's historic library and architectural wonder is getting its water feature back.

The Huntington Beach Central Library designed by Dion Neutra.

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I was sitting on the bow of Martin Daly’s 40-foot Surveyor boat in the middle of Micronesia as the sun set, talking with legendary water cinematographer Daren Crawford over a couple of Pacific Blues. Surf trips often lend themselves to these magically random conversations. Topics varied widely but centered around — hometowns, bars, Leucadia, childhoods, architecture, and libraries.

“Have you been to the library in Huntington Beach that architect Dion Neutra designed?” he asked, perfectly welding our conversation topics into a maelstrom of serendipity. My joy was hard to contain.