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Overview

This relatively small, modestly Neo-classical city hall was used by Fresno city officials between 1906 and 1941. It did not have the dome or extavagant portico of many Beaux-Arts city halls elsewhere in the state. A touch of color, a salmon shade, was used on its seond floor. The Massachusetts-born architect Horace Eugene Mathewson (1867-1959) designed the building.

Building History

The local history book, The History of Fresno County California, said this of the CIty Hall #2: "In response in February, 1899, for sites for a city hall in the district west of I, south of Merced, east of K and north of Kern, George A. Smith made offer of lots twenty-eight to thirty-two in block seventy at I and Merced for $5,100. The offer was accepted eventually. In January, 1900, offer of a three-floor city hall building was made for $45,000. January 3, 1905, the building committee recommended a $50,000 city hall. In May, competitive plans were asked for, not to exceed $75,000 in cost. Eugene R. Mathewson was the successful competitor, receiving the $100 prize. In March, 1906, C.J. Lindgren offered to construct for $70,000, or $60,436 exclusive of the basement detention jail. The alternative tender was accepted. The corner stone was laid during the Lyon mayoralty regime." (See Paul E. Vandor, History of Fresno County California with Biographical Sketches of the Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified with Its Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present, (Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1919), vol. I, p. 502.) Charles J. Lindgren would become a significant building contractor throughout CA, maintaining operations in San Francisco, Oakland, Fresno, Bakersfield, Modesto, and, Merced.

The city hall became used by Fresno Police Department after a new City Hall was completed in 1941.

PCAD id: 10869