San Luis Obispo County Courthouse – San Luis Obispo CA

Description

In 1940, the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse was rebuilt by the New Deal on the site of the original county courthouse of 1851 and a Greek Revival courthouse of 1873.  The North Wing of the 1940 courthouse was in place before the older one was demolished to make way for the rest of the new structure (see historic photo, below). 

The handsome building by local architects, Walker and Eisen, is a classic example of Civic Moderne, with fine detailing and bas-reliefs on the exterior (the condition of the interior is unknown to us).  It is a large edifice that almost fills a full city block.  

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook the project in concert with the county, as indicated on plaques on the pillar in front.   The WPA had become part of the Federal Works Agency in 1939, which is why the plaque on the courthouse puts the latter first.

New buildings next door have taken over the court functions, but the New Deal building is still in use for c0unty offices.