Mountain View Adobe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mountain View Adobe
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Street-side exterior
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 Location in San Jose, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 157 Moffett Blvd., Mountain View, California |
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| Built | 1934 |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001256 |
| Added to NRHP | October 28, 2002 |
The Historic Adobe Building, also known as the Mountain View Adobe, is a special building in Mountain View, California. It has been used for many different things over the years. This building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 2002. This means it's a place worth protecting because of its history.
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Building a Community Hub
The land where the Historic Adobe Building stands was bought by the city of Mountain View in 1929 for just $10! At first, it was used for a pump station and a water tank, providing water for the town.
A few years later, the city wanted a place where people could meet. They especially wanted a spot between downtown Mountain View and Moffett Federal Airfield, which was a Navy base. The land's location was perfect for this new community building.
Built During Tough Times
The building was constructed in 1934 during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people didn't have jobs. The building project was part of the New Deal, a plan by the government to help people find work. It was a Civil Works Administration project, which meant local workers built it using adobe bricks. Adobe bricks are made from earth and straw, and they are very strong.
Members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce also helped with time and money. This group was one of the first to use the building.
A Place for Everyone
When World War II started, the building became a "serviceman's club." It was a friendly place where soldiers, sailors, and other military members could relax and feel at home.
After the war, the building was used for many more community events. It was even called the "Eagle Shack" and became a popular teen center. High school dances were held there, and many weddings took place in the late 1940s.
In 1949, the National Guard used the building as their armory (a place to store military equipment) for four years. After that, it was used for city programs, like the Mountain View Recreation Division. It even helped prepare lunches for senior citizens.
Over many years, the building changed a lot and started to look worn down. People even began calling it the "Adobe Shack."
Saving the Adobe Building
In 1987, new safety rules for buildings, called seismic regulations, meant the city had to close the Adobe Building. These rules help make buildings safer during earthquakes. The building sat empty for several years.
But the community didn't give up on it! In 1995, a group of people started a "Save the Adobe" campaign. They worked hard to get the building restored. "Restored" means it was carefully repaired and brought back to look like it did in 1935.
The restoration cost $1.2 million, and the building officially reopened to the public on September 29, 2001. Today, the city rents it out as an event center. It has a modern kitchen for catering, an office, and a large "great room" that can hold up to 100 people for indoor dining.
A Historic Landmark
The building was named a California Historical Landmark on August 2, 2002. It was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places because it was used as a community hall and because of how it was built. It was mainly recognized for its historical importance as a Works Progress Administration project (another New Deal program). People also admired its beautiful Spanish Revival architecture style.
