Octagon Building, Santa Cruz
The Octagon Building, an iconic redbrick, octagonal structure in Santa Cruz, stands prominently on Cooper Street at the intersection with Front Street. Constructed in 1882, this historic building initially served as the County Hall of Records, positioned next to the original County Courthouse built in 1866. Its unique design was inspired by a $50 octagonal-shaped gold coin minted in San Francisco during 1851-52, with architectural plans drawn up by J. W. Newcum of Oakland.
Despite its surroundings suffering extensive damage, the Octagon Building has demonstrated remarkable resilience. In 1894, it was one of the few structures to withstand a devastating fire that destroyed many nearby buildings, including the courthouse it was built beside. It survived again in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which caused significant damage to many other historic brick buildings in the area.
The building ceased to serve as the County Hall of Records in 1968 when the records were relocated to a new County Government Center. It was then repurposed and has since played various roles in the community. On March 24, 1971, the Octagon was recognized for its historical significance and added to the National Register of Historic Places. Two years later, in 1973, it was also listed as a historic landmark by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH).
From 1993, the Octagon Building hosted the Museum Store for the adjacent Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and was later transformed into a coffeehouse. Although vacant as of October 2016, the building continues to be administered by the MAH, awaiting new opportunities to serve the public and enrich Santa Cruz鈥檚 cultural landscape.
Despite its surroundings suffering extensive damage, the Octagon Building has demonstrated remarkable resilience. In 1894, it was one of the few structures to withstand a devastating fire that destroyed many nearby buildings, including the courthouse it was built beside. It survived again in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which caused significant damage to many other historic brick buildings in the area.
The building ceased to serve as the County Hall of Records in 1968 when the records were relocated to a new County Government Center. It was then repurposed and has since played various roles in the community. On March 24, 1971, the Octagon was recognized for its historical significance and added to the National Register of Historic Places. Two years later, in 1973, it was also listed as a historic landmark by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH).
From 1993, the Octagon Building hosted the Museum Store for the adjacent Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and was later transformed into a coffeehouse. Although vacant as of October 2016, the building continues to be administered by the MAH, awaiting new opportunities to serve the public and enrich Santa Cruz鈥檚 cultural landscape.
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Octagon Building on Map
Sight Name: Octagon Building
Sight Location: Santa Cruz, USA (See walking tours in Santa Cruz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santa Cruz, USA (See walking tours in Santa Cruz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santa Cruz, California
Create Your Own Walk in Santa Cruz
Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Cruz is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Santa Cruz Introduction Walking Tour
Santa Cruz dates back to the founding of Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. The modern city's incorporation dates back to 1866, and some of the most popular industries were agriculture, lime mining, gunpowder manufacturing, and lumber.
In July 1885, three teenage Hawaiian princes took a break from their boarding school, St. Mathew's Hall in San Mateo, and came to cool off in Santa... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
In July 1885, three teenage Hawaiian princes took a break from their boarding school, St. Mathew's Hall in San Mateo, and came to cool off in Santa... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Historical Buildings Walk
Apart from surfboard-filled shores, Santa Cruz is also rich in history reflected in the old buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While none of Santa Cruz's historic architecture sprang up overnight, a great deal of it was lost, or severely damaged, in a single go on October 17, 1989 as a result of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Still, some of the historic buildings have... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles