ca. 1892. California Building; view of horse-drawn buggies. The California Block, built in 1889, was located in the 1110-16 Pacific Avenue area of downtown Tacoma. Over the years the building, first known as the Wilson Building, would contain many local businesses. Arthur French, listed as photographer and crayon artist in the 1892 City Directory, both lived and worked in the California Building. He took the above photograph ca. 1892 of the solid Romaneque structure. Built of either stone or brick, there was heavy use of the semi-circular Roman arch. By 1892, occupants included French, the Merrick Bros. clothing and shoe store, St. John's Pharmacy, I.J. Sharick jewelers, and Fidelity Rent & Collection Co. The California Building was demolished in 1931 and the Publix Market & Garage built on that site. G19.1-004; TPL-1034

California Building (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1890-1900;