Octagon Building, Historical government building in downtown Santa Cruz, United States
The Octagon Building at 118 Cooper Street is constructed of red brick with a distinctive eight-sided design that distinguishes it from surrounding structures. The unusual shape gives it a commanding presence along the downtown streetscape.
Built in 1882 as the County Hall of Records, it survived the destructive fire of 1894 that consumed much of the downtown area. Its survival made it one of the few structures to endure that catastrophe.
The building displays its eight-sided form as you walk around it, a geometric choice that made it stand out from typical rectangular structures of its time. This shape reflects how architects of that era experimented with uncommon designs for public buildings.
The building sits at the intersection of Front and Cooper Streets downtown, making it easy to find on foot. It connects directly to the Museum of Art and History, allowing you to visit both locations conveniently.
The building withstood the powerful 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake while nearby brick buildings on Pacific Garden Mall sustained serious damage. This resilience is often overlooked, yet it demonstrates how the octagonal structure absorbed ground movement better than conventional rectangular forms.
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