2011 Landmark Buildings
The following landmark buildings and garden are featured for this year’s Stroll Through History. Some will be open for free self-guided and/or docent-lead tours or demonstrations.
Note: All tours begin at the location of the building. Tours and events, if any, are independently offered and sponsored by the respective organizations.
Woodland Train Depot – 100th Anniversary Open House:
Building open house 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Depot at 1120 Lincoln Avenue at corner of Sixth Street. Docents are available to explain the progress of this in-process restoration.
All aboard! The former Southern Pacific train depot, constructed in 1911, is Craftsman style with Colonial Revival elements. The depot was once a bustling center of Woodland, underwent years of neglect and was nearly demolished. Sacramento Valley Historical Railways, a nonprofit group, acquired the building, moved it to the present site in 1992 and has been working steadily to renovate the structure for eventual use as a museum and community building using Stroll Through History and City of Woodland Redevelopment Grant funds, as well as private donations. Tour the building on its 100th anniversary and see the recently restored depot office, baggage room and interesting railroad history exhibits.
Porter Building:
Building tours of the upper two floors from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Porter Office Building is located at 511 Main Street at the corner of First Street.The first floor has been completely renovated and is now occupied by Cambridge College, a training school for medical support staff. The upper two stories are in the process of restoration and will be rented to businesses. The beauty of the workmanship in wood - Golden Oak, Red Douglas fir - marble stairways, opaque patterned glass, and marble bathrooms is being restored to its former glory.
Harry D. Porter, successful Woodland businessman, selected William Henry Weeks from San Francisco to design the three-story office building in 1913. Built in the Renaissance Revival style, the handsome arched entrance leads to the front lobby featuring marble walls and floors. Woodland’s first elevator, still in working order, telephone service to all offices and steam heat were major innovations for that time. The Porter building was a demanding construction project of sophisticated design and modern technology, requiring the skills of an advanced and experienced general contractor Earle L. Younger. The building was occupied in the early days by The Woodland Medical Center, dental offices, post office, attorneys, a civil engineering firm, small private businesses, among them Leithold Drugstore, Red Bud Candy Store and Yolo Savings.
Woodland Fire Museum:
Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at 532 Court Street at the corner of First Street in the old firehouse across the street from the Carnegie Library and Rose Garden.
When the City moved its main fire station, the museum opened its doors in the historic old City of Woodland Fire House in August of 2009. The Spanish Colonial Revival style City Hall building was built in phases with the first phase by prominent local contractor Joe Motroni starting in 1932 with the jailhouse and the firehouse, including the tower, originally used for hanging wet fire hoses. The next portion, designed by architect Harry J. Devine and built by Charles F. Unger included the present-day council chambers and finance department was added in 1936. Two additional renovations, in 1961 and 1971 completed the building as it stands today.
The museum will have the fully restored America La France Company1874, Woodland’s first horse drawn steam fire engine in addition to several other early 20th century restored fire trucks, equipment, memorabilia and displays honoring past local firefighters.
Woodland Public Library Rose Garden:
The garden is accessible for free viewing all day. The garden surrounds the Carnegie Library at 250 First Street on Court between First and College Streets. The Library Rose Garden Club rosarians work in the garden throughout the day. They can answer your questions as they demonstrate rose garden summer maintenance.
The John A. Saltsman Garden is on the Woodland Library grounds. The garden was established in 1988 with the labor provided by many volunteer workers and materials provided by local landscape businesses. Over 600 roses provide beauty, fragrance, and rejuvenation to this historical downtown area, including roses grown in early Yolo County gardens. Today, both old and modern roses flourish in the Woodland area and are used in many landscaping formats. The all-volunteer Woodland Library Rose Club maintains the garden.
Woodland Carnegie Library:
The library branch will be open. “Friends of the Library” sale of used books will be held in the downstairs area from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 250 First Street corner of Court Street.
Library staff will highlight the historic parts of the Library constructed in 1905, 1915 and 1929. The original structure of 1905 was funded by a $10,000 grant from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who funded library buildings throughout California, United States and the United Kingdom. Woodland Public Library is the oldest Carnegie building in California still functioning as a library. Designed by Dodge and Dolliver of San Francisco, and constructed by Woodland contractor William Henry Curson, the Mission Revival style building features many classical elements such as the flight of stairs and columns leading to the front porch, and the interior rotunda and columns which form the entrance into the building.
United Methodist Church:
Building will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to provide handicapped accessible restrooms and drinking fountain at 212 Second Street behind County Administration Building at S/W corner of Second and North Streets. Restrooms are available.
From the first circuit preacher on horseback in 1852 to today's active community of faith, the history of the Woodland United Methodist Church is an exciting saga. The current church sanctuary, designed in the Mission Revival style, was built in 1925. It is the fourth church building of this congregation, and the second church facility on the present site. Visitors are invited to enter the church through the chapel door off of Second Street just to the left of the large sanctuary doors.
Kraft Brothers Funeral Directors:
Open house 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 175 Second Street - corner of North and Second Streets cattycorner across the street from United Methodist Church.
The building was designed by the prominent Sacramento architectural firm, Dean & Dean, and was constructed in 1927. It was built in 3 sections, the chapel being the first section. It is adobe construction with 18-inch thick walls, and beautiful stained glass windows in the chapel. The arched double doors are solid hardwood made from oak trees from the Capay Valley. The lines running vertically through the doors represent the river of life. Beautiful antiques are throughout the building. The garage was the final section built, and is constructed from solid redwood casket shipping trays. The caretaker’s quarter is located over the main building.
Kraft Brothers is the oldest privately owned company in Yolo County, established by Peter Krellenberg, who emigrated here in 1862 from New York to work on a farm. The Krellenbergs began in the funeral business by making coffins for the local barber/dentist/mortician, located in Dead Cat Alley, and who, after awhile, seeking greater fortune, left Woodland to find his fortune in gold prospecting. Since the Krellenbergs were already making the coffins they were left with no other option than to do the services too. In 1881 Peter Krellenberg brought his only son Emil into the business. Peter died in 1904 and Emil Krellenberg took over the business, bringing his 2 nephews (Julius and Emil Kraft) to join him in the early 1910s. They sold the furniture business in 1933 and renamed their funeral home Kraft Brothers. Funeral Director Paul Wiggins has operated Kraft Bros. since 1998.
Woodland Opera House:
Free tours start at the front door leaving at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:20 p.m., and 2:20 p.m. at 340 Second Street on Heritage Plaza at 2nd & Main Streets. Restrooms are available 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Located at Heritage Plaza, the site of the Stroll headquarters. A State Historical Park and registered California State Landmark, the Woodland Opera House is a rare example of a functioning, small town Victorian performing arts center, complete with a horseshoe balcony. The restoration of the theater exhibits superb craftsmanship with interior antique lighting and Arts and Crafts wallpapers that create an elegant ambiance. The original Woodland Opera House was built in 1885 and designed by prominent San Francisco architect Thomas J. Welse. That building and others nearby were destroyed in the great fire of 1892. This building was rebuilt in 1895-96 and stayed in operation until 1913 and then closed until purchased by the Yolo County Historical Society in 1971 and reopened for performances in 1989. The building is now owned by the State of California and is a State historical park, State Historical Landmark #851.
Makoto Kai Art Deco Building:
Open house from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 443 First Street just south of Bush Street. Restrooms are available.
This building, one of Woodland’s few classic Art Deco buildings was constructed in 1936. This building exhibits the flair and imagination of the distinct Deco architectural style. The stucco building has characteristic horizontal bands and smooth edges, and still retains its original tower and signage. The tower was designed to house the ventilation for cooling equipment for Mulcahay’s, Woodland’s first frozen food locker business that also sold fresh and frozen meats. The building was used converted to an upholstery shop in the 1960’s and since 1992 has been Makoto Kai healing arts center for yoga, massage and jujitsu.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):
Docents will lead tours at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., of the Heritage Oak Room Museum and Memorial Window Sanctuary at 509 College at the corner of College and Lincoln.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the first Christian Church in Northern California, was founded under an oak tree by Joshua Lawson in 1854 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2004.
The current Mission Revival styled sanctuary was built in 1949, with beautiful memorial stained glass depicting people and events in biblical history, created in memory of founding Woodland families. Docents will lead tours to explain the significance of the windows and the history of the church.
The church also maintains the Heritage Oak Room Museum. The docent tours of the museum also tell the story of Hesperian College, founded by the church and opened in 1861 at the hour of Lincoln’s inauguration. It was one of the very first co-ed schools and, in 1934, became part of Chapman University. Historic pictures, artifacts, and antiques including a communion table, communion trays and collection boxes from the 1889 sanctuary are on display. An organ belonging to Minna Cross, Sunday School Teacher, Hesperian College Teacher, and recipient of Woodland’s first bicycle license will be on display, as are pictures of Hesperian College made by Imelda Rooney who was a kindergarten teacher in Woodland many years ago. Cookies and Lemonade refreshments will be served to tour participants.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church:
Located at 515 Second Street at Lincoln can be viewed by Strollers passing by.
A City of Woodland historical landmark, this beautiful 1912 Arts and Crafts style Tudor church is the work of renowned architect, William C. Hayes, who taught at U.C. Berkeley for many years and designed several classic buildings on the UC Davis campus. Outstanding craftsmanship is embodied in this work of art, including genuine Tiffany stained glass windows, carved Gothic woodwork, and an ethereal pipe organ.
Elks Lodge No. 1299:
First floor open house from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 500 Bush Street at the corner of College Street. Elks members will be available to give tours of the first floor lobby and answer questions.
The Woodland Elks Lodge, No. 1299 designed by architect William Henry Weeks, is an elegant example of the Mediterranean Revival style with Moorish features. The building has a low-hipped tile roof and a stucco finish. On the front elevation is a projecting first story and arched entry with decorative flashing tiles above. Molded upper arched windows are covered with a tracery reminiscent of Moorish architecture. Decorative rectangular panels top lower widows grouped in threes on each side of the arched triple entry. The front windows also have a pair of engaged molded spiral columns separating them. A circular medallion over the center entry arch contains the Elk symbol executed in molded metal. A one-story annex on the east side (1950) conforms in style with the rest of the building. The building contractor was J.A. Bryand of San Francisco. Joseph Motroni, Woodland resident and master mason and builder, was in charge of brick and concrete work.
The interior features a large foyer, high ceilings, stained glass windows, elegant woodwork, a grand staircase, several comfortable rooms for dining and visiting, two offices, a huge kitchen plus the impressive Lodge Room on the second floor, the largest room in the building.
The Woodland Elks Lodge was founded in 1913. Lodge sessions were held in the Native son’s Hall until this new building was completed in 1926.
Yolo County Historical Museum, also known as Gibson House:
Located at 512 Gibson Road, just east of College Street, the museum and grounds can be viewed from the street but will not be open on Stroll Day.
Situated on 2.5 acres of towering trees, historical plantings, and lawn, this Greek Revival style building is the former home of pioneers William Byas and Mary Gibson. The house, built in phases beginning in 1857, features a front facade of four Doric columns and a Southern Plantation style balcony. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Woodland Nursing and Rehabilitation:
Located at 678 Third Street between Cross and Oak Streets can be viewed by Strollers passing by.
Today known as Woodland Skilled Nursing Facility, when built in 1928 this three-story simplified Classical Revival hospital building represented the third version of a hospital facility located at this site. In 1911 the Woodland Sanitarium was constructed here after having been started in 1905 in a converted house at 110 College Street by nurse Kathleen McConnell. In 1920 the Sanitarium was enlarged to meet the needs of the Woodland Clinic medical group comprised of several physicians. William H. Weeks was the architect for both the 1920 and 1928 projects. The new owners have upgraded this historic building to house a modern facility.
Boy Scout Cabin:
Strollers passing by 515 Lincoln Street between College and First Street can be view this historic cabin.
This rustic redwood cabin has served as a meeting place for the Boy Scouts of America since its construction in 1932. Dr. H.J. “Doc” Camp is credited with being the pioneer of the Boy Scout movement in Woodland. He organized community fundraising drives to develop the cabin. The cabin is owned by a nonprofit trust that is currently raising funds to address needed repairs on the building so it can continue to serve the next generation of Scouts. There are currently four Boy Scout Troops, one Venture Crew Explorer Unit, and two Cub Scout packs using the cabin.
See you there!
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