San Rafael in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Marin County Civic Center

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

1. Marin County Civic Center Marker

Inscription. The Civic Center Complex was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (1869-1959) near the end of his long career. The Administration Building was completed in 1962 and the Hall of Justice in 1970. They are the only government buildings designed by the distinguished architect that were ever actually constructed. The project fully embodied Wright's ideal of organic architecture--a synthesis of buildings and landscape, in Wright's words, the structures were planned to "melt into the sunburnt hills."

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 999

Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the citizens of Marin County.

December 31, 1992

Erected 1992 by State Department of Parks and Recreation. (Marker Number 999.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Frank Lloyd Wright, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 31, 1992.

Location. 37° 59.833′ N, 122° 31.867′ W. Marker is in San Rafael, California, in Marin County. It can be reached from Peter Behr Drive. Marker is located at the library entrance door. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Rafael CA 94903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in the North Coast, and specifically 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: William A. Richardson (approx. half a mile away); Bradford House (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Gate House (approx. 1½ miles away); Falkirk Community Cultural Center (approx. 1½ miles away); James M. Donahue Ferry Bell (approx. 1½ miles away); How San Rafael Got Its Library (approx. 1½ miles away); The Belrose Theater (approx. 1.6 miles away); Mission San Rafael Arcangel (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Rafael.

Also see . . . Marin County Civic Center Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. (Submitted on July 7, 2010, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)

National Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

2. National Historic Landmark

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

3. Marin County Civic Center Marker

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

4. Marin County Civic Center Marker

Marin County Civic Center - Architectural Details image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

5. Marin County Civic Center - Architectural Details

172-foot gold spire

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

6. Marin County Civic Center - Architectural Details

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

7. Marin County Civic Center - Architectural Details

Looking out from the balcony, over the blue roofs and under the gold spheres hanging overhead.

Marin Commission on Aging Time Capsule image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, June 20, 2010

8. Marin Commission on Aging Time Capsule

located across the driveway in the other doorway.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2010, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,349 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 7, 2010, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.