Downtown Hollister Historic District: 411 San Benito Street

Aren't the details of this building amazing?

This is the top of the historic commercial building at 411 San Benito Street. It's another contributing building in the Downtown Hollister Historic District, which is in the National Register of Historic Places. (Contributing buildings cannot be torn down without following certain measures.)

The building was constructed in 1907, after the original one on the site was destroyed by the 1906 Earthquake.  In the 1960s, either this storefront or the one to its right had a display of Buster Brown shoes. I always wanted a pair.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 419 San Benito Street

The commercial building at 419 San Benito Street is one of the oldest contributing structures in the the Downtown Hollister Historic District. The single-story structure was built around 1880. The National Register of Historic Places notes that the parapet (the green protective wall along the roof's edge) may have been remodeled after the 1906 earthquake. It also notes that the storefront, with several windows in different shapes, was changed in the mid-1970s.

The last business that I recall being in the vacant building was the Acme Club. For many decades, the tavern was a place for many locals to unwind with a drink and a game of poker.  In 1929, it was the Fremont Cafe, according to an advertisement I found online in both the Santa Cruz Evening News and the San Jose News. The ad said:

When in Hollister,
Be it for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Stop at FREMONT CAFE
419 San Benito Street
BOOTHS FOR LADIES

Downtown Hollister Historic District: The Old and Current City Hall Buildings

On the south side of Fifth Street, between San Benito and Monterey Streets, are the old and current City Hall buildings, which are both contributing historic structures in the Downtown Hollister Historic District.

339 Fifth Street — The Old City Hall

The Hollister City Hall was originally located at 339 Fifth Street. The first building was destroyed in the 1906 Earthquake. Two years later, the new beautiful two-story City Hall, designed by William H. Weeks, was completed. The west side of the building housed the Hollister Fire Department.

The building has many interesting decorative features. Click here to see a close-up of one of the figurines—brackets—at the top of the building. Once upon a time, the Old City Hall had a cupola. Click here to see vintage postcards of how the building looked over 100 years ago.

Today, the City of Hollister uses the first floor of this building for its utility payment center and offices for its building and planning divisions.

375 Fifth Street — The Current City Hall

Some of you may recognize the Classical Revival style of the current City Hall as being a design of many Carnegie Libraries. You're right. The current City Hall was once the city library. In 1910, the City of Hollister received a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Library Foundation to build the one-story reinforced concrete building. Completed in 1912, the building was designed by William Binder and constructed by E. J. Sparling. In the 1980s, the City built an addition at the rear for the City Council chambers.

There are so many wonderful elements to this building, such as the Ionic columns that flank the entry way and the fine details of the cornice across the top of the building. What impresses me the most is that the concrete was scored to look like granite blocks.

The Hollister Carnegie Library is entered in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Downtown Hollister Historic District as well as individually. Want to see what the library looked like back in the day? Then, click here.

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I am linking up. Click here to check out what's going on in other parts of the world.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 135 5th Street

Who remembers the old post office on 5th Street? And, the beautiful cedar tree next to it?

The building is still there. It's now the Apostolic Assembly Bible Learning Center.  What's missing though is the cedar tree.

The old post office at 135 5th Street is the major contributing historic building on the eastern edge of the Downtown Hollister Historic District.  Built in 1935, the building was designed in the style of Spanish Colonial Revival.  One of the interesting features of the building is the arched entrance surrounded by fake voussoirs -- those ray-like lines. Actual voussoirs are wedges of stone or other material forming the units of the arch. I am definitely learning a lot of architectural stuff with this series.

Do any of you remember the awesome wooden mural that once hung in the old post office? It's now hanging at the new post office on Maple street.  Click here for a photo of the mural.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 140 5th Street

Reflected in this window is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Built around 1880, the single-story building at 140 5th Street looks like quite small and compact. Go around the corner to East Street and you can see that it's nearly half a block long.

I'm linking up with Weekend Reflections. To see reflections that other bloggers have caught with their cameras, please click here.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 725 San Benito Street

This two-story, reinforced concrete historic building in the Downtown Hollister Historic District was constructed around 1915. It is listed as 725 San Benito Street on the National Register of Historic Places registration form. The second floor shows its original face, while the first floor has been remodeled.

The registration form notes that the building was once the Winneville Hotel. Was it that originally? I have no idea. Does anyone? During the 1990s, the building was home to the Family Bargain Center. Today, the storefront is divided into three businesses:

• Smokey Pete's Smoke Shop, 727 San Benito Street
• Bella Mia Salon, 729 San Benito Street
• Eclectic Treasures, 731 San Benito Street

The ceiling in Eclectic Treasures still has the original tin tiles. Click here to see how gorgeous they look. Better yet, head over to the store. The other two shops may have the original ceiling, too.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 101 Fifth Street

Today, most people in San Benito County know 101 Fifth Street as being the home of Pat's Place, a very cool thrift shop that raises money for the Community Food Bank of San Benito County.  Originally, the historic two-story building was a laundry called the Model French Laundry. It was constructed around 1934 by Joseph and Marie Latapie, according to Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a walking tour pamphlet by Sharlene Van Rooy. The Latapies moved from San Francisco to Hollister after the 1906 earthquake and operated their laundry in two other locations previously to settling at 101 Fifth Street.

This is a contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. It was noted in the registration form submitted to the National Register of Historic Places for its parapet with a zig-zag band at the top to building and the tiled cornice with false vigas a foot or so below the parapet. The alluring arched doorway on the right side of the building was mentioned, too. I think the light fixture beside the doorway also gives the building its pizazz.

The storefront, with its anodized aluminum door and windows, was remodeled in the 1980s.

When I was a kid in the 1960s, I was fascinated with the Model French Laundry. The name always made made me think of the Eiffel Tower and I thought all French buildings had to look like this cute one. I never went into the laundry, but that did not stop me from imagining people inside speaking  French and having a special way of making the clothes they laundered look chic and ooh-la-la.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 542 San Benito Street

One of the contributing historic buildings to the Downtown Hollister Historic District stands at 542 San Benito Street. Until a few years ago, it was home to Enterprise Electric. Several decades before that it was the K&S Market.  Today, the building is empty and up for sale.

The two-story commercial edifice was built around 1915, with the first floor being remodeled around 1970. The storefront has a modern look, while the second floor, which has four apartments, retains its original architectural style.

The ornamentation on the top of the second floor is quite handsome. Here's a partial description of the second story design from the registration form that was submitted in 1992 to the National Register of Historic Places:

". . .The parapet, which is the front (east) elevation, is divided into two curved sections. The cornice has a paneled band, a dentil course, and decorative brackets that appear to re-emerge above the paneling and give the effect of clamps. . . ."

The Bakery in San Juan Bautista

 When I was a kid, the Mama would bring home freshly-baked French bread from the bakery in San Juan Bautista once or twice a week. Back then, it was known as the Paradis Bakery. Several owners later, the bakery at 319 Third Street is now called the San Juan Bakery & Grocery. The Husband and I like to stop by now and then to purchase a loaf of French bread for the Mama.

According to the San Juan Bautista Historic District Walking Tour pamphlet, the bakery is housed in the Gardella Building, which was built around 1860. Frank Gardella operated a store and, for his security, kept a parrot, which let him know when he was being robbed. For more interesting facts about the building and other places in San Juan Bautista, check out the pamphlet.

By the way, don't you just like the bakery's festive holiday display? Check out the painting in the left window. Look familiar? (Here's a close up.)

The View through the Vault's Windows

It's Wordless Wednesday.

Late Afternoon Light

I like how the late afternoon light looks in downtown Hollister as the sun makes its way home for the night.  It pays to look up and see buildings bathed in yellow light. This is the southern face of the once-upon-a-time Pendergrass Hotel on Fifth and San Benito Streets.

Today is Monday Mellow Yellows. Click here to check out how bloggers around the world feature the color yellow.

Afternoon Shadows

Taking photos allows me to get my exercise in the fresh air. How else would I have ever seen the shadows on the corrugated metal building near the railroad tracks on Hillcrest Road?

Check out black and white photos from other bloggers around the world at The Weekend in Black and White.

Heading Home on Fourth Street

Fourth Street Bridge

I like it when the Husband drives because I can take photos out the car windows. And, that's what I did a week ago Saturday, as we drove back into Hollister via Fourth Street. Enjoy the sights.

Mi Ranchito Market

Gateway Palms Apartments

Lupita's Supermarket

Coming into central Downtown Hollister

Today's meme is Sundays in My City, hosted by Unknown Mami. And, that's where I'm heading. Come join me by clicking here.

Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast

Yesterday, I wrote about my childhood buddy and I eating lunch at the Country Rose Cafe. Today, come with us as we toured the Joshua Inn Bed and Breakfast at 712 West Street, across from Dunne Park.

The tour was a sweet happenstance. As we approached the B&B, we wondered if we could take a peek inside. Maybe step into the hallway and crane our necks to see into the parlor and the dining area. So, we knocked at the door and what do you know, it was answered by the lovely Trish Harvey, who, with her husband Steve, owns the beautiful inn. Busy as she was, she graciously showed us both the insides and outsides of their beautiful inn.

The B&B has five themed rooms. Their names give you an idea of the decor—French Quarters, Pennsylvania Station, Captains Quarters, Savannah Beach, and The Kuschel Suite (which means cuddle in German). Check out the Joshua Inn's webpage for photos of the cute rooms.

Both my buddy and I have been curious about this classic Queen Anne house ever since we were teenagers many years ago. The house was built around 1902 for Judson Hamilton who owned the harness and saddle shop in Hollister. Perhaps the architect designed the newels of the stairs to reflect Hamilton's occupation. Don't you think the details remind you of a saddle?

Every now and then I see photos at the B&B's Facebook page of the yummy breakfasts that they make for guests. Trish says they don't have the proper license to offer breakfasts to the public. Take a look yourself at the photos.  Here's the link. Try not to drool too much.

Along with being a B&B, the Harveys have space available for meetings, tea parties, family reunions, and other private and business events. I can imagine an afternoon class reunion there.

For more information about the Joshua Inn Bed and Breakfast, check out the Harveys' website.

One more photo before I go. This is one of my favorite spots in the inn—a cozy window seat on the second floor.

Eclectic Treasures

The other day, a friend and I wandered into Eclectic Treasures, at 731 San Benito Street, a new home furnishing store that opened in September. The owner sells unique furniture, rugs, and other decorative items imported from all parts of the world. The piece in the above photo was made in Peru out of wood from the Amazon forest. The wood felt very smooth.

I noticed the detailing of the ceiling tiles that I didn't recall as having been there in the previous store. The woman in the shop told me that they were the original tiles and that she had an unpainted one hanging on the wall, which the owner of the building gave her. Gorgeous isn't it?

There are a few other old buildings in town that have a white ceiling with a similar textured look like the one at Eclectic Treasures.  I wonder if intricate painted-over tiles line the ceilings of those buildings, too.  Can you imagine how a ceiling might look with those tiles not painted? Wowza!

Here's the ceiling at Eclectic Treasures. Go check it and the home decor and furnishings for sale yourselves.

County Courthouse Dedication

Last Friday afternoon (October 10), the California Superior Court of San Benito County held a public dedication  of its new building on Fourth Street. The beautiful state-of-the art two-story courthouse was built on the original site of the home of William Welles Hollister, for which the city of Hollister was named.

Cutting the building dedication ribbon, on the right, were 
Hon. Harry Tobias (Judge of the Superior Court of San Benito) and
Hon. Steven Sanders (Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of San Benito).
Holding the ribbon, to the right of Judge Tobias, was U.S. Rep. Sam Farr.

Officials speaking at the ceremony reflected the collaborative effort at all three levels of government to ensure the much needed new courthouse was built. U.S. Representative Sam Farr, State Senator Anthony Canella, State Representative Luis Alejo, San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chair Jerry Muenzer, and Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez all gave brief speeches. California Supreme Court Chief of Justice Toni Cantil-Sakauye was represented by Judge Brian McCabe, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Merced County.

For past posts about the our new courthouse, check out these links:

• The New Courthouse
• Opening Soon: The New Courthouse
• Past and Present: San Benito County Superior Court
• Lovely Landscaping

Courthouse Reflection

I like how our new Superior Court building is bathed in reflections. Not only do you see the reflection of trees and buildings on the courthouse windows, but you also see the wonderful play of light and shadows reflecting from the building overhang.

Today, I'm hanging out at Weekend Reflections. Come see other caught reflections by bloggers worldwide by clicking here.

Just Like in the Movies. Not.

Fire escapes are fascinating such as this one on the old Pendergrass Hotel at the corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets.

At the time of the Loma Prieta Quake (in 1989), the first husband and I were living on the second floor of a three-story brownstone apartment building across from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. When the building stopped rumbling and shaking, we raced to the front door, but it was blocked by fallen bookshelves and a whole lot of books. Without any hesitation, we ran over to the window and climbed out onto the rooftop over the garages. We started to climb down the fire escape only to find that we would have to jump over 12 feet down to the sidewalk. We did not.

Until that moment, I always thought once you got to the bottom rung of a fire escape, it would automatically and smoothly deliver you to the sidewalk. Just like in the movies.  Ha!

Hopefully, the fire escape of the old Pendergrass Hotel was never used. And, if it was, what did the people do when they got to that last rung?

It's Wednesday, so I'm hanging out at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday checking other J posts. I invite you to join me by clicking here.

Blue Doors and Stairways

This old unused building stands at the south end of Tres Pinos on Highway 25. I have often wondered whether the building was used by the railroad that ran to Tres Pinos once upon a time.

Tres Pinos is the fourth largest community in San Benito County. Population of the unincorporated town was about 476 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census. To learn more about Tres Pinos, check out this earlier post that I wrote about the town.

Yup, I'm participating in another linky party. Today, it is Blue Monday, hosted by Smiling Sally. Click on the link to check out other posts that feature the color blue.

Another View

Yes, yet another view of the Old Elk's Lodge from me.  This one is so much better than the one from the other day.