Saturday, February 28, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: Noncontributors, Part 3

Today and tomorrow, I cover the last of the noncontributing buildings in the Downtown Hollister Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Even though some of these historic buildings were constructed between 1880 and 1942, they are categorized as noncontributors because their original material and/or architectural details were removed during alterations.

435 San Benito Street


This one-story commercial building was constructed around 1900. The notes in the National Register of Historic Places describe this building as having "...a gable roof masked on the front (west) elevation by a simple rectangular parapet." There must've been a remodel after the early 1990s that removed the gable roof and added the second storefront on the south side of the building.

Occupying this site today is Design Line & Granger Printing (435 San Benito Street) and New Image Salon (437 San Benito Street).


439 - 443 San Benito Street


Built around 1920, this commercial edifice originally was one storefront listed as 443 San Benito Street. In the 1940s, it was divided into two sections. Today, the building is occupied by three businesses: Su Casita Multiservicios (439 San Benito Street), Aristotle Insurance Agency (441 San Benito Street),  and Simple Mobile Solutions (443 San Benito Street).


510 and 512 San Benito Street


Here is another historic commercial building in Downtown Hollister that has been divided into two sections so it seems like separate buildings. This building was constructed around 1900. The entry way to the southern section is beautifully paved with bricks.

La Villa de Jerez Taqueria occupies the storefront at 512 San Benito Street. The one at 510 San Benito Street is vacant.


520 San Benito Street


This building was also constructed around 1900, possibly the same time as its neighbor on its north flank. A false stone siding gives it a look unique from other buildings in the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Only the Honorable Tattoos & Body Piercings occupies this site today.


526 San Benito Street


This one-story concrete-block building was constructed in the early 1950s, according to the National Register of Historic Places. But, I wonder whether that's correct. In 1947, bikers during the so-called Hollister Riot drove through Johnny's Bar & Grill, which continues to occupy the building today.


535 San Benito Street


This one-story commercial building was constructed around 1950. The architect did a great job designing it to blend in with the look of the other buildings in Downtown Hollister.  The storefront has an attached garage in the rear that opens to Briggs Alley. The Hollister Sign Company is located in the garage space, while the storefront is currently vacant.


Contributing Buildings

Over the past six weeks, I posted photos of over 40 contributing buildings to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. To check out those posts, please click here.


Friday, February 27, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: Noncontributors, Part 2

Today's post covers the noncontributing buildings in the Downtown Hollister Historic District on Fifth Street, between San Benito and Monterey Streets, and on Sixth Street.

322 Fifth Street


This three-story brick commercial building was constructed around 1985. Sometimes I think I'm looking at the side of the building rather than the face. It could be because the lot is narrow compared to the other sites on the street.


334 – 336 Fifth Street


I was surprised to learn that the Granada Theater building is not a contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District.  It's categorized as a noncontributor because many of the building's original architectural details were removed. The two-story reinforced concrete building was constructed around 1940.


345 Fifth Street


This handsome office building is formally known as the Ross Building. It was constructed around 1948. To learn a bit more about it, please click here.


225 Sixth Street


This two-story historic building is another of the more modern buildings in the Downtown Hollister Historic District. It was constructed in the late 1970s. Today, Pierce Real Estate occupies the building.


Contributing Buildings

Over the past six weeks, I posted photos of over 40 contributing buildings to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. To check out those posts, please click here



Thursday, February 26, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: Noncontributors, Part 1


The vacant building at 220 Fourth Street was the former San Benito Hotel. Built in 1900, it is part of the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Unlike the two buildings that it sits between—the Masonic Lodge and the former Villa Pace Hotel, this historic building is a non-contributing building to the historic district.

The Downtown Hollister Historic District has a number of noncontributors, which means that during renovations, some of their original materials were replaced or their original design elements were lost. Over the next few days, I'll be featuring some of these historic buildings.


140 Fifth Street


Yes, this is a Quonset hut. It was built around 1946 and once was part of Bauder and Company, which occupied the site on its west side. (This picture was taken in 2012.)


202 Fifth Street


This corner building at Fifth and East Streets was constructed around 1915. Architectural details were removed from the building during a 1950s remodeling, according to the notes in the National Register of Historic Places.


206 and 208 Fifth Street


This historic noncontributor was built around 1920. It's a single-story building with two storefronts. Today, Country Groomers (206 Fifth Street) occupies the east side of the building while Koas Gallery Tattoo (208 Fifth Street) is on the west side.


221 Fifth Street


The building that was once home to Muenzer's  was constructed around 1950. Cornets occupied this site when I was a young child. Perhaps it was built for the five and dime store.


230 Fifth Street


Built in 1907, this historic edifice has none of its original facade, according to the notes in the National Register of Historic Places. By the way, have you ever been in Irma's Fashions, a women's clothing shop? It has some very cute items in there.


Contributors

Over the past six weeks, I posted photos of over 40 contributing buildings to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Click here to see those posts. Contributors mean that the buildings still maintain their original materials and design elements, particularly above the first floor if they are multi-story buildings. Owners of contributing buildings cannot demolish them without first meeting certain requirements.



Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 355 San Benito Street


Ta da!

Here you go, the final contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District that I'm featuring on Take 25 to Hollister: The grand, gorgeous Masonic Lodge at 355 San Benito Street!

This two-story historic building is probably the most well-known landmark of Hollister. The City of Hollister, for example, has incorporated an image of the bell tower into its logo. Completed in 1908, the building was designed by the famous California architect William H. Weeks, who also designed the old City Hall building and a few residences in Hollister.

The handsome domed cupola, the rounded bay section on the second floor, and the entry way to the corner shop on the first floor give the building a very unique look. Once upon a time, the amazing brick work of the first story was visible.

For more about this building, please click here.


By the way, I still have more to feature in the Downtown Hollister District District series. Starting tomorrow, I'll present the edifices that are categorized as non-contributing buildings in the district.  Stay tuned.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 452 San Benito Street


Today, I feature the second of the two last contributing buildings to the the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Remember, contributing buildings cannot be demolished without meeting certain requirements.

Once upon a time, the bottom floor of this beautiful historic building on the northwest corner of San Benito and Fifth Streets was occupied by Bank of America. Various offices once filled the second floor. Today, this building is now home to an event venue called The Vault, which has banquet rooms on both floors perfect for weddings, class reunions, and other special events.

Built around 1930, this two-story building has many elegant features, from the various ornamental trims at the top of the building, between the windows,  above the window and door frames on the first floor, and else where. Those golden doors are pretty cool, too.


Have any idea what the final contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District may be?  Come back tomorrow and see if you're right.

I'm hanging out at Our World Tuesday. Please click here to check out other posts by bloggers around the world.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 501 San Benito Street


The beautiful three-story slate blue building on the southeast corner of San Benito and Fifth Streets was once the Elks' Temple. Built in the early 1920s, it is another contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. The building was designed by Shea & Shea Architects for the Elks Hollister Lodge No. 1436 for a quarter of a million dollars, according to Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a walking tour pamphlet by Sharlene Van Rooy.

Who can deny the beauty of this Mediterranean Revival style building, from its projected cornice on its north and west sides to its ornate window treatments and moldings? And, the entry way on the building's south end on San Benito Street is edged with beautiful marble.

Look near the top of the building on the San Benito Street side and you can see  a clock complete with an elk's head.


I'm linking up at Blue Monday, which is hosted by Smiling Sally. Click here to check out other blue-colored interpretations by bloggers around the world.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 500 San Benito Street


The former Pendergrass Hotel is the tallest building in the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Constructed in 1927, this historic building has four floors—the third and fourth floors have 28 hotel rooms, the second floor has office spaces, and the first floor is set up to be a restaurant.

The Pendergrass Hotel was named for Jesse Pendergrass, the owner, who was elected as the mayor of Hollister in 1924. When the hotel was completed, it was said to have the finest furnishings available, including Beautyrest mattresses by Simmons, according to Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a walking tour pamphlet by Sharlene Van Rooy.

During the 1960s and 1970s, I remember the bottom floor was home to the Bank of California. The building is currently vacant, which is available for $730,000. A bargain if you have the money, considering the potential for tourism with the Pinnacles National Park, Mission San Juan Bautista, Hollister Rally, San Benito Olive Festival, and various other events, activities, and destinations in our area.


Saturday, February 21, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 459 San Benito Street


Five contributing buildings to the Downtown Hollister Historic District are left to be featured, and these are what I consider the major landmarks in our cute downtown. The first one is the gorgeous two-story brick Italianate building on the northeast corner of San Benito and Fifth streets.

This Victorian beauty was built around 1874 by its original owner, Willam Palmtag, one of the men who founded the town of Hollister. In 1891, the building became the home of The Farmers & Merchants Bank, of which Palmtag was the president. For more information about Palmtag, please click here.


Until recently, I thought this building and the adjoining one (which houses the Mexican restaurant La Catrina) on San Benito street were all one building. But, when you look closely, you can see the different details. I think the details give the impression that this building (459 San Benito Street) is feminine while the other is masculine. What do you think?

Nothing speaks more Victorian era than bay windows. And, this building has five of them—one on its west face, three on its southern face, and one at the corner. The round and pointed arches over the doors and windows also give the building an ooh-la-la look.




Friday, February 20, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 449 San Benito Street


Yesterday, you saw a building on San Benito Street that looked like it was two buildings. What do you think: Is that one or two buildings in the photo?

Two buildings, right. It wasn't obvious to me until I looked near the roof line and saw a slight gap between the two Italianate-style buildings. The folks who renovated the buildings in the 1990s did a nice job of making them seem like one.

Built in the late 1800s, both commercial edifices are contributing buildings to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Today, we'll focus on the site at 445 San Benito Street.


This two-story commercial building is an example of Italianate-style architecture, which was popular in the United States in the 18th century. Notice the elaborate details of the cornice with recessed panels, curved brackets, and dentil course. And, check out those bay windows. Very handsome, don't you think?

Currently, the restaurant La Catrina occupies the first floor of the building.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 738 - 750 San Benito Street


Do you think this is one building or two?

I thought it was two, too.

According to the National Register of Historic Places, this two-story commercial building in the Downtown Hollister Historic District was constructed around 1922. It actually has a flat roof. Somewhere along the line, an owner added the false-front gable roof on the "white" building.

The one detail that unifies the white and brown parts of the building is the band of tiles along its foot. Of course, you could say that the band brick tiles is the tying grace of the three buildings on this part of the 700 block of San Benito Street, between South Street and Swope Alley. Take a look: 730 San Benito Street and 756 San Benito Street.

Today, the occupants of the three storefronts in this white and brown building are:


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 222 Fifth Street


The two story building at 222 Fifth Street is one of the oldest commercial structures in the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Built around 1880, the top floor has been used for lodging since the beginning. At one time it was the New England Hotel. The storefront on the bottom floor houses Rowe Upholstery, which has been there for several decades.


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 722 - 728 San Benito Street


I think this two-story historic commercial building in the 700 block of San Benito Street has one of the more interesting facades in the Downtown Hollister Historic District. The reinforced concrete structure was built around 1915. The top floor has several apartments while the bottom floor has two separate store fronts. Currently,  I Love Hair and Nails (722 San Benito Street) occupies the north side of the building and San Benito Shoes & Wear (728 San Benito Street) is on the south side.

When you have a chance, check out all the fine details of this building in person. Notice the four bas relief urns in the blue parapet and the molding going across the parapet's top, as well as that piece going across the parapet. Also check out the fancy ornamentation that frames the windows.

The entryway to the apartments is cool, too. It reminds me of some of the brownstone buildings in San Francisco with the marble on the bottom part of the walls and the mosaic-looking entryway floor. And the trim on the entry door, ooh-la-la.


I'm linking up at Our World Tuesday. Click here to check out what bloggers from around the world are sharing at this fun meme.


Monday, February 16, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 204 Fourth Street


At the northwest corner of Fourth and East Streets stands another contributing historic building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. The two-story commercial structure at 204 Fourth Street is a combination hotel and restaurant. I don't think the second floor is used as a hotel anymore. On the first floor is the restaurant El Kora Moriscos.

The building was constructed in 1908. Its stepped parapet with a diamond vent on the front of the building reminds me of the queen of diamonds in Alice in Wonderland. Sometime in the 1950s, a shorter two-story addition was erected on the west side of the building.

Not visible is a one story building adjacent to the hotel/restaurant. The arched doorways that you see on the left in the photo were probably open at one time and lead to the building, which is described an an annex. Built around 1940, the annex is also a contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 800 San Benito Street


Running Rooster and Intero Real Estate Services occupy the historic commercial building at 800 San Benito Street that was once the home of Tiffany Ford. A contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District, it was constructed in 1935 for Tiffany Ford, which was established in 1910. Tiffany Ford was in the downtown location until 1999 when it moved to current location on San Benito Street. Click here to see how the building looked in the late 1990s.


This one story Spanish Revival building has two L-shape sections. For many years, the building was white. It has two towers, but only the northern tower (Running Rooster's entryway) is original.  Click here to see a photo of how the tower looked when Tiffany Ford owned the building.  The southern tower (Intero's entryway) was added within the last 10 years or so, which compliments the building quite nicely.

Originally, the north section of this structure was used for car service and repair, while the south section (facing San Benito Street) contained the car showroom and offices. Notice how the windows in the photo below are set in each section of the wall. Once upon a time, windows filled the sections. Click here to see how it looked.




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