Adventure 003, Site 003-022-Porter Building

Sherri, Flag and the Porter Building

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 003, Site 003-022-Porter Building

National Registry ID: 78000828

Local Registry ID: 99000471

Team: YOLT

Date:  August 1, 2013

Location:

Coordinates: 38°40′40″N 121°46′24″W

Address: 501--511 Main St., Woodland

Description:

Date Built: 1913

Architect: W. H. Weeks

We walked by this building as we were searching for another building. As we went by, we said to each other, this must be a building of significance. Then, we saw the address corresponded to an address on the NRHP. Currently it houses several entities, including a private college, Cambridge Junior College. Which seems very appropriate since the building sets at the corner of Main and College.



In 1913, when Weeks was building much of Woodland through his Weeks Securities Corporation, this building was built. The building was named for A.D. Porter, in honor of the family who helped develop the building. It contained many firsts for the area: the first electric elevator, the first steam heater and the first phones running to each office. Also, the original building made use of prismatic glass which had a floral design patented by Frank Lloyd Wright. But what attracted our attention was the dentil work around the building, the arched doorways and the roof cornices. The contractor, Earle Younger who came from San Jose, made his name on this building and soon settled in Woodland, becoming the leading contractor during the era stretching through 1940.

"Porter Building, 501-511 Main Street, Woodland. According to David L. Wilkinson in his book Crafting a Valley Jewel on page 75, the exterior of the Porter building was designed in the Renaissance Revival style constructed of “buff-colored thin Roman brick with matte glaze terra cotta architectural details….” The Architectural firm that designed the building was that of William H. Weeks, and the general contractor was Earle L. Younger. According to the National Register of Historic Places web site, the Porter building was added to the list in 1978 as Building #78000828. The builder was Earle Younger, and the architectural style is listed as “Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Other.” The period of significance is listed as 1900-1924." (WAY)



References:

• Wikipedia
  
• National Registry of Historic Places: Documentation and Pictures
  
• Daily Democrat article on the college
  
• Waymark
  
• Woodland Record article on the college
  
• NoeHill
  
• Stroll Through Woodland
  

Overall Landmark References:

• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)
  
• NoeHill (NOE)
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)