Downtown Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Federal Land Bank

James W. Plachek, Architect, 1938

— ELS Architects, 1999 —

Federal Land Bank Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 5, 2012

1. Federal Land Bank Marker

Inscription. City of Berkeley Landmark
designated 1985 The Farm Credit Administration built this structure to house federal agricultural banking and financial agencies, including one of the 12 Federal Land Banks that assisted Depression-era farmers. Features of the Moderne-style building include a gateway and an entrance court at the west elevation and distinctive zigzag stair towers. Inside and out, the structure reflects the era’s focus on creating public buildings that were useful, attractive, and affordable. The modest lobby is notable for its Art Deco detailing.

One of the two major entrances faced west in anticipation of the creation of a civic center park. In 1940 Berkeley voters passed a bond issue for development of the present park. In 1976 the building was purchased by the City of Berkeley to house municipal offices. Renamed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Building in 1983, it was seismically retrofitted in 1999. In keeping with architect Plachek’s original plans, a partial sixth floor was added.

Erected 2000 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1985.

Location.

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37° 52.171′ N, 122° 16.236′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown Berkeley. It is on Milvia Street south of Center Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley CA 94704, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Berkeley Y.M.C.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Berkeley High School Alumni: Chinaka Hodge, Phil Lesh, Joshua Redman, The Lonely Island (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jos. H. McCourt / Bruno L. Putzker (about 300 feet away); Elks Club Building (about 300 feet away); Veterans Memorial Building (about 400 feet away); Armstrong College Building (about 500 feet away); Berkeley High School Industrial Arts and Science (G and H Buildings) (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 5, 2012

2. Federal Land Bank Marker

The marker is to the far right of the steps.

Federal Land Bank - Seismic Retrofit Plaque image. Click for full size.

April 1, 2012

3. Federal Land Bank - Seismic Retrofit Plaque

This plaque is found on the Milvia Street (east) side of the building, just to the right of the entrance.

Federal Land Bank - view from southeast image. Click for full size.

April 1, 2012

4. Federal Land Bank - view from southeast

Federal Land Bank - view from northwest image. Click for full size.

April 1, 2012

5. Federal Land Bank - view from northwest

Federal Land Bank - gateway and entrance court (west side) image. Click for full size.

April 1, 2012

6. Federal Land Bank - gateway and entrance court (west side)

Visible behind both sides of the gateway are the distinctive zig-zag stair towers, as mentioned in the marker text.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,159 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 15, 2012. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.