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Historic Homes
Historic Home Detail | 364
Historic Name
Ontario Power Company Substation
Address
140 S Euclid Avenue
Upland, CA 91786
Evaluation
Building
5/8/2007
Construction Date
1902
Current Owner
Katsumi & Keiko Shiba
Current Owner Address
2531 Prospect
Upland, CA 91786
Description
The former Ontario Power Company Substation is distinguished by
an emphatically Mission Revival design. An espadana, or
curvilinear parapet, dominates the facade. Behind it the roof
appears to be gabled. Arched openings continue the curvilinear
motif. Three arched openings, the central one taller than the
sides, pierce the peak of the parapet. Raised piers define three
bays on the lower facade. The central bay is spanned by a broad
arch and contains a recessed entry beneath an arched pediment and
two arched windows. Pairs of narrower arched windows are located
in the side bays. Drip moldings echo the arches over all the
openings. Above the central bay a series of pipe-like
projections resembling the canales of southwestern architecture
once carried electrical wiring. Behind the slightly buttressed
corners the side elevations are regularly pierced by arched and
flat-headed windows.
Built in 1902 by the Ontario Power Company, this substation is
significant for its role in the community's history and for its
architectural style. An indoor substation, the facility provided
electricity to the surrounding community under the auspices of
the Ontario Power Company until it merged with Southern
California Edison in 1928. The station was proudly pictured in
the Ontario Record Industrial Review editions of 1903 and 1905 as
evidence of the growth of the community. When the demands for
electricity exceeded the capacity of the indoor station, an
outdoor station was built behind it (possibly in the mid-1940s).
That yard is still in use today; the original substation has been
converted to retail use.
Re-surfacing resulting in the removal of the "1902" which used to
be on the parapet, and replacement of the original door are the
most visible exterior alterations. The building, framed by palm
trees in the Euclid Avenue parkway, is in good condition.
A striking example of Mission Revival design, the building is one
of only three in the style in Upland. The Mission Revival was
popular in Southern California from the late 1890s into the early
years of the 20th century. Inspired by a new appreciation for
the then-crumbling missions founded by the Spanish padres in the
18th century, architects began adapting elements of Mission
design to both secular and religious buildings. The espadana
became a trademark of the style; other elements included stuccoed
exteriors, tiled roofs, arched openings, and buttresses intended
to simulate adobe construction techniques. As quickly as the
style gained popularity it died out, leaving a dwindling legacy
of churches, public buildings, homes, railroad depots, and for
some reason, power stations. The Ontario Power Company is an
especially good representative of the genre.