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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.