Administration Building

Administration Building. . This is the first building constructed in Balboa Park by the Panama-California Exposition Corporation. Located just outside the west entrance to the exposition, it was to be a temporary building serving as headquarters for planning, administration, reception of dignitaries and official exposition functions. , Built of brick, cement and wood, the building was constructed between November 1911 and March 1912. Interior space was gained by stepping the three story building down the canyon side the simple multi-windowed facade originally included a balcony and elaborate ornamentation over the doorway consistent with Spanish Colonial theme of the San Diego Museum of Man next door. , Final architectural plans for the Administration Building were developed by Carlton Winslow (1870-1936) under the direction of lead exposition architect Betram Goodhue (1869-1910. At the close of the Panama-California Exposition, this building housed the San Diego Park and Recreation Department. It was among the many Balboa Park buildings requisitioned by the United States Navy during both World War I and II. When the military vacated Balboa Park in 1946, the Administration Building was not reassigned for civilian use. Recommended for demotion, the deteriorating building gained protection in 1976 when listed with nearby Balboa Park structures on the National Register of Historic Places , The building currently provides office space for the San Diego Museum of Man which raised private funds to completely renovate the building before occupying it in 1990."