Overview

This building stood on the south side of Market Street from 1891 until 1906. It was destroyed in the Earthquake and Fire of 04/18/1906.

Building History

Rags-to-riches landowner James Lick (1796-1876) suffered a serious stroke in 1873. Shortly after having the stroke, Lick, who had few close friends, consulted with geographer George Davidson (1825-1911), President of the California Academy of Sciences, to help him give away his fortune to deserving organizations. The California Academy benefited from Lick's largesse with a gift of land on Market Street, between 4th and 5th Streets. After lengthy litigation over his will, the museum succeeded in building its new home in 1891. The academy commissioned the architectural firm of Percy and Hamilton to design the facility, that stood at 819 Market Street, next to the Emporium Department Store.

Building contractor Charles Dunlop received the commission to do the plasterwork for the Academy of Sciences building. The California Marble and Building Stone company obtained a $28,000 contractor to provide stone for the Academy of Sciences. (See "Real Estate," Daily Alta California, vol. 81, no. 141, 11/18/1889, p. 2.)

PCAD id: 20935