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Sonoma City Hall

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Coordinates: 38°17′18″N 122°27′27″W / 38.28833°N 122.45750°W / 38.28833; -122.45750
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Sonoma City Hall
Sonoma City Hall in Sonoma Plaza
Location1 The Plaza, Sonoma, California, U.S.
Coordinates38°17′18″N 122°27′27″W / 38.28833°N 122.45750°W / 38.28833; -122.45750
Area4,689 square feet (435.6 m2)
Built1908; 116 years ago (1908)
Built byW. E. Greene
ArchitectAdolph C. Lutgens
Architectural style(s)Mission Revival
Websitewww.sonomacity.org/location/city-hall/
City Hall is located in California
City Hall
City Hall
Location in Sonoma, California

Sonoma City Hall is a historic municipal government building located in the Sonoma Plaza in Sonoma, California. Dedicated on September 9, 1908, the building holds historical significance for the community and serves as the city's administrative center.

History

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Sonoma City Hall at the Sonoma Plaza (1909)

Plans for a new Sonoma City Hall began in June 1904 when architect Adolph C. Lutgens of San Francisco, was commissioned by the city trustees to design the City Hall and plans for the Sonoma Plaza.[1]

Construction for the Sonoma City Hall started in 1906 after the approval of a $10,000 (equivalent to $339,111 in 2023) bond issue. The cornerstone was laid on February 22, 1906, by the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons, marking the official start of construction, with Judge Henry C. Gesford of Napa spoke delivering a speech during the ceremony.[2][3][4] However, the project was stopped due to the San Francisco earthquake.[5]

Construction resumed in late summer 1907 and was completed in September 1908, with the total cost amounting to approximately $16,000 (equivalent to $542,578 in 2023). The Sonoma City Hall, located in the center of the Sonoma Plaza, was dedicated on September 9, 1908.[5][6] Henry Beeson, who had raised the "Bear Flag" in Sonoma on January 14, 1848, attended the dedication ceremony and raised the flag again. James D. Phelan of San Francisco delivered a speech at the event.[7]

The Sonoma fire department was once located on the first floor, with horse-drawn wagons able to exit from any side of the building. lookouts stationed at the building's tower would ring a bell to alert the town of a fire.[4]

The Sonoma City Hall is at the center of the 8 acres (3.2 ha) Sonoma Plaza that in 1913 included the Sonoma Public library at 453 1st Street East. The Sonoma Grammar School and the Sonoma Valley Woman's Club are within blocks from the plaza.[8] Local events, such as the Fourth of July parade and the Farmer's Market, take place at City Hall in Sonoma Plaza.[9][10]

Design

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Sonoma City Hall during construction in 1906

On September 12, 1904, the Board of Trustees of Sonoma approved plans submitted by architect A. C. Lutgens for the new city hall. The Mission Revival building was designed to be constructed from basalt stone, featuring two stories, a tower, and a tiled roof. The interior was planned to be made of white pine and would house rooms for the city officials. The design included four identical sides, each with an arched doorway with tall windows.[11][4]

Architect A.C. Lutgens, who designed City Hall and the Sonoma Grammar School (1916), also designed the 3,200 square feet (300 m2) Sonoma Public library (now occupied by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau) in 1913.[12]

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Film locations in Sonoma County include the The Animal in 2001, at the Sonoma City Hall as the Police Headquarters. On May 30, 2020 more than 100 protesters gathered in Sonoma Plaza, marched around town, and laid face down with their hands behind their backs in front of the Sonoma City Hall to protest the murder of George Floyd.[13] In 2021, a Women's march took place with actress Haley Bennett at the Sonoma City Hall.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Sonoma's Plans For Handsome City Hall". Santa Rosa Republican. Santa Rosa, California. June 17, 1904. p. 27. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "To Lay Corner-Stone of Sonoma's New City Hall". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. February 18, 1906. p. 32. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  3. ^ "History of Sonoma". City of Sonoma. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Dwyer, Jeff (September 26, 2008). Ghost Hunter's Guide to California's Wine Country. Pelican. pp. 111–112. ISBN 9781455604913. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Hallan-Gibson, Pamela; Swett, Kathy (2015). Sonoma Community Center. Arcadia. p. 34. ISBN 9780738529431. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Mathes, Valerie Sherer; Smith, Diane Moll (2004). Sonoma Valley. Arcadia. pp. 21–22. ISBN 9780738529431. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "Celebration At Sonoma Ws Splendid Success Wednesday, Dedication of City Hall]". Santa Rosa Republican. Santa Rosa, California. September 9, 1908. p. 8. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "City of Sonoma, City Hall #2, Sonoma, CA". PCAD. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  9. ^ Deutschman, Alan (April 8, 2003). A Tale of Two Valleys. Crown. pp. 7, 35. ISBN 9780767914604. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  10. ^ "Sonoma's 4th of July parade is back!!!". Sonoma Valley Sun. April 3, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Plans Are Accepted". Santa Rosa Republican. Santa Rosa, California. September 12, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Barbara White Perry (October 29, 2020). "Drawing Sonoma". Sonoma Index-Tribune. Sonoma, California. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "'I can't breathe': Sonoma Plaza protesters march for George Floyd". Sonoma Index-Tribune. June 3, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "Haylet Bennett (Sonoma, CA)". womensmarch.com. September 27, 2021. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
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Media related to Sonoma City Hall at Wikimedia Commons

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