County Court House
The classic Civic Moderne-style county courthouse in San Luis Obispo was designed by local architects A. R. Walker and P. A. Eisen. Construction was completed in 1941 with funding from the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the county. Beyond the full city block it occupies, it is notable for the buildings it replaced. The courthouse, built in 1873, was referred to as “the old barn” in the press. The walls of the Hall of Records, labeled a “disgrace to the community,” were propped up with timbers. Madonna Inn co-founder Alex Madonna won the low bid to demolish the old courthouse building, turning a profit by selling the bricks.
San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County
Images by Andrew Schmidt