Standard Oil Building, historic building in Whittier, California
The Standard Oil Building is a commercial building in Spanish Colonial Revival style in Whittier, California. It features light-colored stucco walls, a gabled tile roof, and visible timber brackets beneath extended eaves, while the original brick structure shows its solid construction underneath.
The building was constructed in 1914 by architects Charles Garstang and Alfred Rea for Standard Oil Company, which chose Whittier for its oil reserves. After expansions through the late 1920s, the company moved to Los Angeles in 1930, after which the building served various purposes before becoming Mission Court with shops and restaurants.
The building takes its name from Standard Oil Company, which established one of its first offices outside San Francisco here. Today, visitors use the courtyard and surrounding spaces as public areas where the original mission design mixes with modern shops and restaurants.
The building is located on Bright Avenue in Whittier and is easily accessible for visitors interested in architecture and local history. You can explore the interior, where shops and restaurants operate today, or visit the courtyard, which offers a good view of the original mission revival design.
The building once featured a bear statue, Standard Oil's logo symbol, which stood at the entrance for many years. A 1987 earthquake damaged the original brick structure, requiring reinforcement, but the building was restored and continues to serve the community.
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