E. Janssen Building

The E. Janssen Building on First Street is an Italianate commercial structure with six cast-iron columns supporting the ground floor. The upper level displays five windows topped with ornamental cornices, and the open interior layout relies on support pillars distributed throughout each floor.

Built in 1875, the structure became the first in Eureka to gain listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This designation marked the beginning of national recognition for the town's architectural heritage.

The building reflects the commercial architecture of the Gold Rush period, when Eureka served as a vital supply hub for miners heading inland. Its cast-iron columns and decorated windows show the prosperity of the merchant class at that time.

The building sits in the heart of Old Town Eureka and is easy to reach on foot while exploring the historic district. Its location on First Street puts it along the main path through the area's commercial heritage.

The structure housed northern California's first elevator, a water-powered hydraulic system from the 1800s. This early innovation made it a pioneer in modern lift technology within the commercial building world.

Location: Eureka

Inception: 1998

GPS coordinates: 40.80500,-124.16600

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43