In 1891 ground was purchased for a new Federal Building in San Francisco. Designed by James Knox Taylor, supervising architect for the United States Treasury, it was planned to hold a Post Office, the Federal Courts and other Federal Agencies in the area. Construction commenced in 1897 and seven years and $2.5 million later it was finished in time for the opening on 29 Aug 1905.
Less than eight months later the building was one of two in the south of Market area to survive the 1906 earthquake and the subsequent fires. Just one room, the redwood room succumbed to fire, thanks to the diligent efforts of the post office workers who used water from the hydraulic elevator to stop the fire at the doors. The other building to survive was the US Mint.
Eighty three years later, the Loma Prieta earthquake caused enough damage that there was a possibility the building would be demolished. However, history won out and a $91M renovation took place. After the earthquake the Post Office moved out leaving the US Court of Appeals, 9th circuit which maintains its headquarters and four courtrooms in the building.
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| Mail windows in first floor corridor |
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| Mail Chute |
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| Marble & Mosaic on the 2nd Floor |
This simple history doesn't include information on the 1933 addition, the removal of the US District Courts to the new building on Golden Gate Avenue in 1964. There is so much more to know, including the fact that there have been only 100 9th Circuit Appellate Court Judges since the court was established in 1891.
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Mexican Mahogany Doors
Green Paint was removed
after Loma Prieta |
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| Courtroom One |
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| Courtroom Two |
And there is so much to see. The marble in the hallways and Courtrooms 1-3, especially Courtroom 1 is as spectacular as anything I've seen in the palaces of Europe. It was brought in from all over the world including some exquisite green marble from Vermont. Then there is the Redwood Room, which was rebuilt after the fire. It was originally created for a judge from Eureka who wanted to be surrounded by his beloved forests.
So I urge you to take a tour. Just two blocks from Civic Center Bart, it is easy to get to. There are
public tours on many Tuesdays and you can arrange
group tours in advance. You can also wander through parts of the building on any day it is open, use the law library (created from space originally occupied by the post office), or attend an appeal hearing. Check the website for more information. - Cath Trindle
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| Courtroom three |
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| Redwood Room |
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| Courtroom Four - Art Deco |
In 1891 ground was purchased for a new Federal Building in San Francisco. Designed by James Knox Taylor, supervising architect for the United States Treasury, it was planned to hold a Post Office, the Federal Courts and other Federal Agencies in the area. Construction commenced in 1897 and seven years and $2.5 million later it was finished in time for the opening on 29 Aug 1905. 
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