Volcano Block Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Volcano Block Building
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Hawaii
|
|
| Location | 27-37 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Built | 1914 |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001748 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1993 |
The Volcano Block Building is a historic building in Hilo, Hawaii. It was built in 1914 and is an important part of Hilo's history. This building was one of the first in Hilo designed to hold many different businesses at once.
Contents
A Look Back at the Building's History
The Volcano Block Building was finished in 1914. It has two stories and is made of strong, reinforced concrete. Its design follows the Italian Renaissance style, which was popular for grand buildings. This building shows how much Hilo grew between 1910 and 1915. During this time, Hilo became the second largest business center in all of Hawaii.
First Businesses and Features
The building is about 60 feet wide and 90 feet long. It stands on Waianuenue Avenue, where the old Volcano Stables used to be. On the ground floor, there were three separate shops, each with its own entrance. A staircase between the first two shops led up to offices on the second floor. Below the shops, there were three separate basements.
This building was special because it was the first in Hilo to house many businesses together. Before this, most buildings were built for just one owner's business.
Early Tenants and a Bank
One of the first businesses to move in was the Peoples Bank of Hilo. They opened their doors on September 1, 1916. The building even had a special vault on the ground floor, likely built for the bank. Another important company that used the building was C. Brewer & Co.. This company was well-known for its sugar business.
Other important buildings were also built nearby around the same time. The Hilo Masonic Hall, a fireproof building, was built in 1910. The S. Hata Building, built in 1912, is the only older commercial building still standing in Hilo. The Hilo Federal Building was also built in this area in 1915.
Changes Over the Years
In 1922, the Peoples Bank of Hilo had to close down. This was a big event for Hawaii's banks at the time. Large corporations, sometimes called the "big five," had a lot of control over businesses, including banks. Some of these powerful families also controlled major banks like Bishop Bank (now First Hawaiian Bank), which opened in Hilo in 1910, and First Bank of Hilo (now part of Bank of Hawaii), which opened in 1906.
In 1929, C. Brewer & Co. bought the building for one of its companies, Hilo Terminal and Transportation Company. They stayed there until 1953. After that, C. Brewer & Co. moved its main Hilo offices into the building. For a while, the Hilo Chamber of Commerce used the second floor.
In 1961, C. Brewer & Co. sold the building to Irving Melnick, who made clothes. The building stayed in the Melnick family's trust after he passed away. In 1992, Coyne Mattress Company bought the property and owned it as of 2009.
Becoming a Historic Site
The Volcano Block Building was officially recognized as a state historic site on September 28, 1992. It was then added to the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii on January 7, 1993. This means it's considered an important part of history and is protected.
