AKA: Santa Clara County Courthouse #8, Saint James Square, San Jose, CA

Structure Type: built works - public buildings - courthouses

Designers: Binder and Curtis, Architects (firm); Goodrich, Levi, Architect (firm); William Binder (architect); Ernest N. Curtis (architect); Levi Goodrich (architect)

Dates: constructed 1866-1868

3 stories

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161 North 1st Street
Saint James Square, San Jose, CA 95113

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Overview

This grand Neo-classical courthouse, originally sporting a dome and possessing two stories, was designed by the architect Levi I. Goodrich, who won a design competition in 1861. Construction of the stout building took two years, from 1866 until 1868. A fire in 1931 caused extensive damage to the courthouse, resulting in many alterations done the following year.

Alteration

Architects William Binder and Ernest Curtis reconstructed the courthouse after a serious fire gutted the interior on 05/18/1931. The architects added a third floor in place of a tall dome in the building's center. Authorities expedited construction, finishing it in 1932.

A renovation campaign took place in 1973 and additional seismic reinforcing occurred following the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 10/17/1989. The most recent renovation work happened in 1994.

PCAD id: 22419