James R facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
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James R. Browning U.S. Court of Appeals Building, May 2008
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 Location in San Francisco County
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | NE corner of 7th and Mission Sts., San Francisco, California, US |
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| Area | 2.6 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1905 |
| Architect | Taylor, James Knox |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Italian Renaissance Palazzo |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000188 |
| Added to NRHP | October 14, 1971 |
The James R. Browning U.S. Court of Appeals Building is a very old and important building in San Francisco, California. It serves as a courthouse for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This court helps decide legal cases. The building was finished in 1905 and was originally called the U.S. Courthouse and Post Office. It was built to show how important and wealthy the United States was becoming. Amazingly, this building survived two major earthquakes: the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Contents
Building History
By the 1870s, San Francisco needed a central building for its federal courts and post office. These services were spread out in different buildings downtown. In 1887, a group decided to find a place for a new building. Congress first gave $350,000, but this wasn't enough. The amount was raised to $1,250,000.
The chosen spot was at Seventh and Mission Streets. This was more than a mile from the main business area. It was also in a working-class neighborhood. Even though many people didn't like the location, the land was bought in 1891. In 1893, $2,500,000 was set aside for building the courthouse.
Designing the Building
Architects from the U.S. Treasury Department worked on the designs. James Knox Taylor was the main architect. He chose a design inspired by Italian Renaissance buildings. It had a grand and beautiful style called Beaux Arts. To make the inside look amazing, skilled artists came all the way from Italy.
Construction started in 1897. The building officially opened in 1905. People were very impressed, calling it "a post office that's a palace."
Surviving Earthquakes
On April 18, 1906, a huge earthquake hit San Francisco. It caused a lot of damage and fires. The U.S. Courthouse and Post Office was one of only two buildings south of Market Street that survived. The other was the 1874 U.S. Mint.
While repairs were being made, the Post Office set up places around the city to collect mail. The courthouse became a symbol of hope for the city. Repairs were finished in 1910.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Then, in 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake caused serious damage. Engineers quickly checked the building. In 1993, restoration work began. This included adding special features to protect it from future earthquakes. This is called seismic retrofitting.
The building reopened in 1996 as the U.S. Court of Appeals. In 2005, it was renamed to honor Judge James R. Browning. In 2012, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
Building Design and Features
The building shows the Beaux Arts style. This style was popular for federal buildings in the early 1900s. It has a steel frame covered in white Sierra granite. Even when it was built, this building was known for being very fancy and detailed.
Exterior Details
The building looks like an Italian palazzo (a large, grand house). It has fancy decorations, balconies, and rows of arched windows. The beautiful bronze lanterns at the entrance are copies of old Italian designs from 1489.
Originally, the building had three main floors. A fourth floor was set back and partly hidden. The building was shaped like a "U" with an open courtyard inside. This courtyard had colorful brick walls and lion heads.
In 1933, more office space was needed. A San Francisco architect named George Kelham designed a four-story addition. This addition closed off the courtyard. It matched the original design, but the upper floors used terra cotta instead of granite.
Inside the Courthouse
While the outside is impressive, the inside is even more beautiful. The post office used to be on the ground floor. The second floor had offices for court staff. The third floor held the fancy courtrooms and judges' offices.
The building uses rare and beautiful materials. These include marble from Italy, California, and North Africa. The main hall on the first floor has black-veined white Italian marble walls. The ceiling has marble mosaics. The floor is made of ceramic tiles. Stained-glass domes with eagle designs are at each end of the hall.
The Great Hall is on the third floor. It has white marble walls, Doric order columns, and a vaulted ceiling with gold decorations. This hall leads to Courtroom One, which is the most decorated room. It was designed for the U.S. District Court. This courtroom has marble mosaics, carved columns, fruit designs, and stained-glass windows.
In contrast, the two courtrooms on the second floor of the 1933 addition have a more modern style. They feature unique ceiling patterns, cork walls, and gilded eagles.
Over the years, the building has had many updates. Judge Richard H. Chambers oversaw a big restoration in the 1960s. The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake caused major damage. This led to a $91,000,000 project to repair and update the building. This project also added 45,000 square feet of space for a law library and offices. The building reopened on October 17, 1996, as the U.S. Court of Appeals Building for the Ninth Circuit.
Important Dates
- 1887: The U.S. Congress approves building a courthouse and post office in San Francisco.
- 1897–1905: The U.S. Courthouse and Post Office is built.
- 1906: The building survives the big San Francisco earthquake.
- 1910: Repairs from the earthquake are finished.
- 1933–1934: A new four-story section is added to the building.
- 1959: Judge Richard H. Chambers helps oversee the building's restoration.
- 1964: The building is renamed the U.S. Court of Appeals and Post Office.
- 1971: The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1989–1996: Major repairs and updates happen after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
- 1996: The building reopens as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- 2005: The building is renamed in honor of Judge James R. Browning.
- 2012: The building is named a National Historic Landmark.
Building Facts
- Architects: James Knox Taylor (original), George Kelham (east addition), Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (courtyard addition)
- Construction dates: 1897-1905; 1933-1934; 1993–96
- Landmark status: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
- Location: 95 Seventh Street
- Architectural style: Beaux Arts
- Main materials: White Sierra granite, white ceramic-faced brick
- Special features: Great Hall, courtrooms with marble and mosaic decorations
