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.

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.

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.

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:

• The Farmer's Daughters Events & Rentals and Erin Balbas Photography (738 San Benito Street)
• Swanky Finds (740 San Benito Street)
• Paradiso Spa & Salon (750 San Benito Street)

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.