Sacramento is the 35th largest city in the United States by population (478,000) and is the largest city of the Sacramento-Roseville Combined Statistical Area in Northern California (the 22nd largest metro area in the United States). It is the capital city of California. Its downtown adjoins the Sacramento River and is dominated by the Capitol Mall which leads to the Capitol building. The area's orderly grid street system is developed most densely just North of the Capitol building, and government buildings are scattered throughout. A considerable amount of historic buildings coexist with modern ones in what is a mostly pleasant (if not lively) downtown.
This thread will focus on buildings up to the Art Deco period in the larger part of downtown away from the riverfront. The riverfront thread will focus on the Sacramento riverfront adjacent to downtown, as well as Old Sacramento, and can be seen here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=211437 The modern era thread will focus on buildings from the International Style to the present in the larger part of downtown, away from the riverfront, and can be seen here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=211473
Governor's Mansion State Historic Park, 1877:
This house was first used as the residence of the governor in 1903 until 1967, and then opened for tours.
Sacramento Hostel, 1885:
Built as the Williams Mansion, this former house has been moved three times within a few blocks.
Crocker Art Museum, 1872:
An existing home purchased in 1868 by Edwin Crocker was transformed into the Western U.S.'s oldest art museum with the additon of a nearby purpose-built gallery. A modern addition was added in 2010, featured in my modern era thread.
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, 1857:
This house serves as the governor's reception site and is open for tours. It is named after one of the state's early governors although it was not originally built by him.
Cesar Chavez Plaza:
This square occupies a block in the heart of downtown, with City Hall facing it across a street.
Bishop Gallegos Square:
One block of 11th Street in downtown is closed to automobile traffic to form this wide pedestrian zone.
The Kay:
5 blocks of K Street can be considered the main street of downtown's densest area; 1 block is for pedestrians only while the other 4 are served by the city's light rail lines.
Skylines:
Many of the buildings that compose the skyline will be featured later in this thread as well as my modern era thread.
Capitol Mall:
The largest street in downtown is this wide axis that begins at the Tower Bridge over the Sacramento River and terminates at the California State Capitol.
California State Capitol, 1874:
The rotunda and dome rise to 210 feet while a legislative chamber flanks them on each side (the Assembly chamber is pictured here). Various offices have been recreated to their appearances in the late 1800's including the original Governor's Office which is no longer used but can be seen on public tours.
Capitol Annex, 1951:
The East side of the Capitol has a stark addition that houses the Governor's Office currently in use.
Capitol Park:
The Capitol sits in grounds that occupy 10 city blocks, with most of the tree-filled park lying to the East of the building. Features include an axial promenade, rose garden, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
View of downtown from the Capitol's North Entrance:
View of Capitol Mall from the Capitol's West (main) entrance:
Library and Courts Building, 1928:
Near the terminus of Capitol Mall at the Capitol, a pair of nearly identical buildings face each other across a round fountain park. This is one of them.
California State Office Building No. 1, 1928?:
This is the other building of the pair.
Sacramento Hall of Justice, 1917:
Sacramento Grand Ballroom, 1912:
Federal Building, 1933:
This houses a post office and Federal courthouse.
St. John's Lutheran Church, 1912:
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1889:
Sacramento City Hall, 1911:
Elk's Temple, 1926:
Sacramento Masonic Temple, 1920:
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1926:
Sacramento Station, 1926:
This Amtrak station on the Northwestern edge of downtown was built for the Southern Pacific Railroad originally.
Traveler's Hotel, 1914:
California Fruit Building, 1914:
Citizen Hotel (originally California Western Life Building), 1925:
Apartment Building across from Capitol Park:
Senator Hotel, 1924:
Sutter Club, 1930:
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1927:
Blue Anchor Building, 1931:
Medical-Dental Building, 1928:
Capital Bank Building, 1915:
All photos taken in 2013 by geomorph.