On the way back to family court which was once the JC Penney building I walked the downtown streets of Stockton, getting ready to pick up a dear friend who was there on a summons.
She’s actually a teacher called on to testify that morning in a custody hearing.
As for me, I stayed nearby, sipping a cup of Freedom ‘Red Eyed’ java – next door to the San Joaquin County Administration Building – while sitting on one of stools facing the soon-to-be-replaced SJC Superior Court building.
In my line of sight was the construction of the new facility. The two towering cranes were making possible this 13-story structure that’s scheduled for completion at some point in 2016, pulling up the beams or steel girders.
Another piece of history was in the making.
But if I may back track, my urban hike actually started at Weber Point at 221 N. Center St. on the waterfront.
There’s plenty of free parking here, especially good to know on this Ash Wednesday. Just when I thought I saw it all but there were a couple of ministers from the nearby Episcopalian church distributing to-go ashes in the plaza of the Regal Stockton City Centre Stadium 16 & Imax movie theaters, 222 N. El Dorado St., just two blocks from Weber Point.
From there, I made my way to the Visit Stockton tourist information office in the historic B&M Building at 125 Bridge Pl. This place along with Weber Point – home of the city’s founder and pioneer Capt. Charles Weber – are both registered historic sites.
I was surrounded by SJC history.
St. John’s Episcopal Church with its cruciform Norman-style architectural and featuring one of the stain glass from the old church is north of here at 115 E. Miner Ave.
South of that – not to mention a stone’s throw away – is the Stockton Hotel at 133 E. Weber Ave.
Constructed in 1910, this Mission / Spanish Revival style opened with 252 rooms and a roof garden with a fountain and pergola. In the 1960s, the place was home to numerous county offices. It was closed, renovated, and reopened in 2005 to look much like it did about 95 years earlier.
The best time to do this urban hike is during weekdays during business hours or between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Trudging along Weber Avenue from the Stockton Hotel is close-up view on construction of the new courthouse. By continuing to walk east, you can’t help but notice the modern SJC Administration Building designed by Fentress Architects and winner of the 2008 Design Excellence Award, Novum Structures, and the 2009 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association, Sacramento Chapter.
Some of the old downtown buildings have been converted to charter schools. On these days, East Main Street has more youngsters toting their backpacks rather than business folks.
One of my favorite buildings, in terms of architectural styling, is the Commercial & Savings Bank at 343 E. Main St., at the corner of Main and San Joaquin streets and located across the street from the courthouse. This Beaux Arts-Renaissance Revival-style building was erected by Dietrich & Liestern Construction in 1915 and survived heavy fire damage in 1923.
Not too far from there is the Farmers and Merchants Bank building at 11 S. San Joaquin St. It was constructed by San Francisco architect George W. Kelham in an Italian Renaissance style, and features 25-foot high coffered ceilings ornamented with painted plaster and Tennessee marble floors and walls in the central lobby.
Perhaps the jewel of this urban hike stands next door at Fox California Theater in Colonial Revival style and built in 1925.
From there, our urban hike concludes with short jaunt back to the car while passing Dean DeCarlie Square.
For extra credit, you take a stroll along the Joan Darrah Promenade along the Deep Water Channel to the Stockton marina before returning to the car. Make sure you locked it beforehand.
More information can be found by logging on to www.visitstockton.com.
