Agnews Historic Park in Santa Clara in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Auditorium
Agnews State Hospital
— Historic Name – Assembly Hall —
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023
1. Auditorium Marker
California State Architectural Department George Sellon, State Architect
The Auditorium is one of the more ornate Mediterranean Revival / Arts & Crafts style hospital buildings. Its grand two story, semi-circular arches and patterned brick banding are reminiscent of designs by the famous Chicago architect, Louis Sullivan. Together with other buildings sharing similar design motifs and materials it helped to create a cohesive “campus” design.
As one of the leading psychiatrists on the west coast, Dr. Leonard Stocking agreed with Progressive Era reformers in the belief that recreation could be used as a tool to shape behavior. In keeping with this mission the Auditorium housed spaces for performances, social gatherings, billiards and music. This building’s large and versatile main hall served continuously as the hospital’s principal social center until Agnews closed in 1996. The Leonard Stocking Museum is now located in two rooms adjacent to the Auditorium’s entry lobby.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 37° 23.568′ N, 121° 57.273′ W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Agnews Historic Park. Marker can be reached from George Sellon
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early History of Agnews (within shouting distance of this marker); Agnews Today: The Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Life at Agnews: Change Over a Century (within shouting distance of this marker); Agnews: A Century of Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Recent History of Agnews (within shouting distance of this marker); Administration Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Superintendent's Residence (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clocktower Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.
Also see . . .
1. Looking Back: Agnews State Hospital. San Jose Public Library
"The hospital is most famously known as the site of the greatest loss of life in Santa Clara County after the 1906 earthquake. Eleven officials and over one-hundred patients were crushed when the main treatment building collapsed. But the history of Agnews is more interesting than this grim memory."(Submitted on April 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
2. Agnews Insane Asylum
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023
2. Auditorium Marker
"The treatment of the insane in California dates from the earliest days of the Gold Rush. The first provisions for the insane were to lock them up with criminals in the ship Ephemia, purchased in 1849 by the City of San Francisco, and later to house them at the San Francisco marine hospital in 1850, used primarily for ailing seamen. In 1885 the Agnews Residential Facility was established by the California State Legislature as a neuropsychiatric institution for the care and treatment of the mentally ill."(Submitted on April 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023
3. Auditorium Marker
Public Domain
4. Assembly Hall Interior c.1980
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023
5. Auditorium (Assembly Hall)
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023
6. Auditorium
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023
7. Agnews Campus Map
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 6. submitted on April 17, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 7. submitted on April 14, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
