Martinez in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Contra Costa County Courthouse
1901
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2009
1. Contra Costa County Courthouse Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 2000.
Location. 38° 1.138′ N, 122° 8.081′ W. Marker is in Martinez, California, in Contra Costa County. It is at the intersection of Court Street and Escobar Street, on the right when traveling north on Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 625 Court Street, Martinez CA 94553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Borland Home (a few steps from this marker); Martinez Public Library (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hook Building (about 400 feet away); 815 Marina Vista (about 400 feet away); Morgan House (about 500 feet away); Bergamini Building (about 500 feet away); Rankin Building (about 600 feet away); Southern Pacific R.R. Depot (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinez.
More about this marker. The marker is made of wood, with the face covered by a plexiglas sheet, and mounted on a wooden pole on the corner of the court house
this page online
Also see . . . Walking Tour of Martinez. The Martinez Historical Society's walking tour of the historical buildings in Martinez. (Submitted on November 10, 2009.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2009
2. Wide Shot of Contra Costa County Courthouse Marker and Courthoue Entrance
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2009
3. Sharkey Square Marker
Directly in front of the court house is a marker for Sharkey Square. Installed in 1954 by the Native Daughters of the American West, the plaque is to dedicated to Will R. Sharkey - publisher, legislator, and conservationist. The square, however, is now simply a widened portion of Court Street, with parking.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 8, 2009
4. Contra Costa County Courthouse Cornerstone
The cornerstone lists the county supervisors: J.D. Wightman, chairman, Oakley; illegible, Rodeo; J.M. Stow, Walnut Creek; E.J. Randall, Concord; R. De Martini, Clayton; J.E. Rodgers, clerk, Martinez.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2009
5. Contra Costa County Courthouse
Ray McDevitt, in Courthouses of California: An Illustrated History, notes, "...The completion of the courthouse in 1903 was celebrated with festivities that drew over 10,000 visitors (more than half the county's entire population) to downtown Martinez. The town fire truck (with the Fire Queen and her attendants) led the parade, followed by the Native Daughters of the Golden West with their white parasols, and sailors in uniform from merchant ships anchored in the harbor. Traditional oratory began at midday, a barbecue was held in the afternoon, and a banquet (held for men only) began at 10pm, featuring six types of wine, ham, turkey, crab, shrimp, Martinez olives and Cuban cigars."
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2009
6. Contra Costa County Courthouse Entrance - Pillars and Pediment
The building replaced the brick Greek Revival-style courthouse built in 1855-56. It had a dome until 1957, when the dome was removed for earthquake safety, and was converted from a courthouse to the County Finance Building in the early 1960's.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,167 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 10, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
