Art Deco

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CALIFORNIA (page 1)

Iceland
Sacramento, CA		 Masonic Temple
Visalia, CA

Iceland opened in 1940. It was built by the American Ice Company next door to bring in money during the slow months. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

This Masonic Temple was built in 1937.

Town Center Post Office
Visalia, CA

The Town Center Post Office was designed by William D. Coates and built in 1933. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ivory Tower
Fresno, CA		 Gottschalks
Fresno, CA

The Ivory Tower stands in the parking lot of the Mayfair Shopping Center. The shopping center was built in 1945 and has since been remodeled. This remaining structure was used as the Administration Building and housed a women's clothes shop.

The Gottschalks department store chain was founded in Fresno in 1904. This location was built around 1945 and closed around 1988. The building remains vacant. The company itself is still in operation with more than 70 stores in six western states. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Landmark Restaurant
Fresno, CA

I'm not sure when the Landmark Restaurant was built or if it is truly Art Deco. It appears to be to me. Does anyone know more about this building? For more, see this website.

Esslinger Building
San Juan Capistrano, CA

The Esslinger Building was built in 1948 for medical offices. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is white despite the appearance of the bottom two photos which were taken at sunset. For more, see this website.

First Baptist Church
Ventura, CA		 former Beacon Laundry
Culver City, CA

The First Baptist Church was designed by Robert Stacy-Judd and built from 1928-1932. The Mayan Revival style building was restored in the mid-1980s. It now houses the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

The former Beacon Laundry is just a block away from the Helms Bakery Building described below. It was built in 1931 and has been converted into "Beacon", an Asian restaurant. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

former Helms Bakery
Culver City, CA
The Helms Bakery building was constructed from 1930-1931. In 1932, Helms was designated the "official baker" for the Summery Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. Helms bread and baked goods were never sold in stores but rather through panel trucks throughout Southern California. The delivery truck would sound a whistle announcing its presence as it drove through residential neighborhoods "Daily at Your Door". The company folded in 1969.

In 2005, the complex reopened as the H.D. Buttercup Furniture Mart. It is now home to a variety of businesses including furniture showrooms, art galleries, restaurants and retail stores. The animated rooftop neon sign was restored and relit in 2003. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [first photo thanks Glenda Campbell]

Culver Carburetor
Culver City, CA		 Metaphor Coffee House
Escondido, CA
I believe this Culver Carburetor building has been here since at least the 1940s. However, I don't know what the original occupant was. It looks like it could have been a gas station. As of 2008, the building was vacant.

The Metaphor Coffee House has been here since at least 1989. The building is from 1947. It was previously used as a dry cleaners. Does anyone know its original use? For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Bubbles Art Gallery
Newport Beach, CA		 Balboa Market
Newport Beach, CA
Bubbles Art Gallery appears to be another Streamline Moderne building. Does anyone know its history?

The Balboa Market opened in 1938 as a Safeway supermarket. In 1950, the store was known as Bob's Village Market. The Balboa Market closed in 2006 and the building was still vacant as of 2008. For more, see this website.