Elevated View of Kasten Street in Mendocino, 1908. (Gift of Cora Hervilla)
This black and white postcard, with the title “Kasten Street, Mendocino, Cal.,” shows an elevated view looking north-northeast over several historical buildings, many of which are still standing.
The building with the false front in the foreground on the far left was Granskog’s Eagle Saloon. Built in 1907, the saloon was forced to close in 1909 when voters made liquor sales illegal in Mendocino.
The structure to the right with the flat roof was built for the Mendocino Bank of Commerce in 1908. The Mendocino Beacon described the new building as “the most imposing business house in town. The large windows, symmetrical cornice, round cornered front with Roman-Doric columns, one on either side of the entrance, and with flat roof, make a handsome exterior. The interior is being finished in native pine. This building will reflect credit not only upon the owners but the town as well.” Located on the corner of Main Street, Out of This World now occupies the first floor of this building.
Proceeding up Kasten and behind the bank is the “Bank House,” also built in 1908, with its barn-like roof. This building burned down in 1994 and was rebuilt the following year in the same architectural style as the original building. Today, this structure houses Trillium Cafe.
Next is the the first Odd Fellows Hall, built in 1878, now the home of Highlight Gallery. The second Odd Fellows Hall sits diagonally across the street to the right, facing Ukiah Street at the corner of Kasten. This building was constructed in 1894, and partially demolished in 1955.
At the very top of the image is the first Mendocino High School, built in 1894 and demolished in 1948.
The “Banker’s Row” residences on Little Lake Street can be seen near the top of the image, including the white octagonal tank house at the Blair House. The two-tank open-structured water tower in the center of this image belongs to the Heeser House.
The buildings along lower Kasten Street on the right of the image are the storehouses of the Jarvis & Nichols General Merchandise store which was located on the northeast corner of Main and Kasten street. A ground-mounted windmill stands in front of the store’s double-tank water tower on the far right.
New Exhibit! “Paint the Town: The Art of Kevin Milligan” Kevin Milligan’s gorgeous oil paintings capture the breathtaking beauty and historic charm of Mendocino. Eight of his original paintings and three of his father Guy Milligan’s paintings are showcased alongside black and white photos of the historic buildings and landscapes that inspired them. Kevin Milligan’s research on the history of the buildings he painted accompanies his artwork. 45007 Albion Street, Mendocino. Thursday-Monday, 11am – 3pm.