Historic Homes

Historic Home Detail | 324

Back to Search Results

Historic Name

City Hall

Address

177 E D Street
Upland, CA 91786

Evaluation

Building
5/7/2007

Construction Date

1939

Current Owner

City of Upland

Current Owner Address

460 n Euclid ave
Upland, CA 91786

Description

A fine example of P.W.A. Moderne, the old city hall is located on the northwest corner of D Street and Second Avenue. It is onestory, flat-roofed, and of concrete construction. There are seven bays on the primary (south) elevation and five bays on the east elevation. A central focus is established by a slightly raised parapet with rounded edges which culminate in a stylized flag pole over the middle bay. The entry below has a raised surround and is recessed between flued, bull-nosed jambs. A horizontal canopy with curved edges shades the opening. Above it, a sculptured panel in low relief depicts the symbolic figures of a man and woman separated by an eagle standing on a pedestal inscribed with the motto: "The noblest motive is the public good.Ig Windows to either side of the entry surround are embellished iron grilles in an Art'~eco design incorporating chevrons and sunburst.

This llsplendid example of P.W.A. Modernew (Gebhard and Winter, 1977, p. 381) was one of the numerous projects of the federal government in the 1930s intended to provide jobs and lift local economies out of the Depression. Several city halls were constructed as part of the program in Southern California; this is one of the best and most intact ones. Its combination of classical building characteristics such as symmetry and horizontality with Art Deco surface treatments, ornamentation, and streamlining was a product of the famed architectural office of Walker and Eisen. Organized in 1920 in Los Angeles, the Walker and Eisen office was responsible for numerous important buildings throughout Southern California.

A subtle series of setbacks in the wall surface frames the opening and a panel over it juxtaposes vertical fluting with horizontal banding. Tall metal casement windows fill the side bays, which are defined by broad, slightly raised piers. Detailing includes vents in the plain frieze, streamlined brackets over the penultimate bays, and handsome iron and frosted glass sconces which illuminate the shallow stairs leading to the entrance and the planters to either side. The building is substantially unaltered, except for the door which has been replaced and a wall on the west connecting the city hall to the old fire department. It is in good condition.

Some of their accomplishments include the Signal Oil Building, the Shell Oil Building, the Ohio Oil Building, and the Texas Company Building; California Lutheran Hospital; Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Gaylord Apartment Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard, and the Garden view Apartments (demolished) on Hollywood Boulevard; the California Fruit Growers Exchange, the Security Title Insurance Company, and the Transportation Building; the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse; El Cortez Hotel in San Diego; and most of the civic buildings in Torrance. The partnership was active until the end of World War 11. The building was occupied by City Hall until the new civic center complex was erected in the 1960s. It then became the offices of the police department, which vacated the structure earlier this year (1990). An important civic symbol and architectural achievement, the old City Hall appears to meet criteria A and C for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.