Hotel Woodland facts for kids
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Hotel Woodland
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Hotel Woodland as it appears in 2011.
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 426 Main St., Woodland, California |
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| Architect | Weeks, W. H. |
| Architectural style | California Churrigueresque (Spanish Colonial Revival) |
| Part of | Downtown Woodland Historic District (ID99000471) |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001225 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 21, 1994 |
| Designated CP | June 22, 1999 |
The Hotel Woodland is an old and important building in Woodland, California. It was designed by a famous architect named William Henry Weeks. This hotel is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site in the United States. It's also a key part of the Downtown Woodland Historic District.
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The Idea for a Grand Hotel
In 1920, some local business people in Woodland had a great idea. They wanted to build a fancy hotel in their city. They formed a group and asked people to invest money to make this dream happen. Once they had enough funds, they talked to architect W.H. Weeks about their plans.
Building the Hotel Woodland
The plans for the hotel didn't start until 1928. At that time, many tourists and visitors were coming to Woodland. This made the idea of a fancy hotel even more exciting. W.H. Weeks' own company, Weeks' Securities Corporation, helped develop the hotel. This company had already built several other hotels in northern California.
About 50 local businesses also invested in the hotel. They helped raise 10% of the $500,000 needed to build it. The chosen spot was on the corner of Main and College Street. Interestingly, another hotel had been there just ten years earlier, but it was torn down. The Hotel Woodland was the 14th and last major project W.H. Weeks worked on in Woodland.
Hotel Woodland's Design and Features
The Hotel Woodland was built with four stories and had 80 guest rooms. Its design was a simpler version of the California Churrigueresque style. This is a type of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.
Architectural Style Details
The building shows a simpler, commercial version of the Spanish Colonial Revival style. However, it still has some detailed Churrigueresque features. For example, the upper window of the central tower has "festively painted" moldings. The hotel also has a clay tile roof and cool spiral columns near the main entrance.
Inside the Hotel
The lobby of the Hotel Woodland was very grand. It had a large cement floor, about 2,000 square feet, designed to look like Mexican tile. There were also beautiful wrought iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The ceilings themselves were "beamed and stenciled," adding to the fancy look. The ground floor also had a restaurant and a big room for parties and events.
A Community Landmark
Because of its elegant design, the Hotel Woodland became a popular place. It hosted many important community events and gatherings. Its location on Main Street and its beauty made it a key part of the splendid Downtown Woodland area.
Renovation and New Purpose
By the 1980s, the hotel started to look old and worn out. People in Woodland, including shop owners and residents, agreed that something needed to be done. They debated whether to tear it down or fix it up. After many discussions, they decided to renovate the hotel.
Near the end of 1994, a non-profit group and a local developer bought the hotel for $925,000. They then spent $5.5 million to renovate it and make it a good place to live. The hotel was changed into housing for people with lower incomes. The money for these renovations came from local, state, and federal grants. The upper floors were planned for homes, while the ground floor was set aside for shops.
