A Walking Tour of Downtown Woodland
Yearly, Woodland hosts a "Stroll Through History," a tour of numerous historic homes, businesses and other sites within the city.
But you don't have to wait for the Stroll itself, which occurs each fall, to take a tour of the town's history.
Thanks to cooperative efforts by the Stroll Committee and city of Woodland, there are easily read markers imbedded in sidewalks to guide you on your own way.
If you start your tour at the southwest corner of Second and Cross streets, you'll travel across time as you criss-cross south College, First and Second streets, seeing a variety of housing styles displaying architectural innovation, revival periods and technological and social changes.
The changes within Woodland reflect the architectural developments within Yolo County as a whole, demonstrating Victorian, Shingle, Colonial Revival, Mission, Craftsman, Bungalow, Art Deco, Ranch and eclectic styles
First Street
Diverse with a wide array of Victorians, including the California State Landmark Gable Mansion and a Great American Home Awards Grand Prize Winner for restoration work, First Street exhibits a collection of eclectic architecture spanning the period 1860 to 1940, epitomizing Woodland's vast social and architectural heritage.
The Victorian Age
Stroll along College Street to Pendegast and view classical Italianates and picturesque Queen Anne homes set amidst towering Valley Oak and Elm trees. Many of these early Woodland landmark homes have been exuberantly restored and painted by their owners. Learn the history of Hesperian College and Woodland pioneer families that settled this area, including the Pendegast family.
Barns & Alleys
On this tour that weaves through the south side of Woodland's alleys, you will discover some of Woodland's seldom seen places. You can see several "urban barns" and carriage houses from the horse and buggy days as well as ancient Valley Oak trees and trees planted by families from those earlier times. Investigate what's on the other side of Woodland's ornate, formal Victorians.
Bungalow Tour
While Woodland's wealthy were building their mansions south of Main Street, the everyday folk were building a variety of cottages, smaller bungalows, and period revival houses to the north. This 12-block tour travels from First Street to Beamer Street and returns via Second Street, taking in a mix of working-class homes.
Meanwhile, north Third Street is an area in transition possessing both historic structures and infill housing built after 1950. A number of the historic homes on the street are currently undergoing major rehabilitation. In this tour, observe the changes and repairs to historic structures as well as understand what constitutes "good" infill housing in historic neighborhoods. The tour will end at the entrance to Beamer Park.
Beamer Park is a story unto itself.
Shortly before WWI, a young UC Berkeley-educated developer, Hewitt Davenport, subdivided the old Beamer homestead and hired prominent landscape architect, Mark Daniels, to design an upscale, master planned enclave of Woodland with a gateway, fountain, round-about, public park-and pricey home lots.
A private train was chartered from Sacramento to promote the grand opening of Beamer Park in June 1914. The complete buildout of the Park took more than 40 years and as a result a broad range of housing styles are represented constructed by several Woodland master builders, including William Fait and Joseph Motroni.
Traveling back into downtown, don't miss Dead Cat Alley, which has quickly become Woodland's most popular "unknown" secret.
Most visitors are alarmed at the unusual name of the passage, but personal tales of "The Alley" bring its history to life.
The Alley was where historic downtown Woodland began. Originally known as Yolo City, Woodland was born in 1853 when Henry Wycoff built a small store on the southeast corner of what is now First Street and Dead Cat Alley.
Commercial buildings spread from that site to accommodate travelers and farmers. Woodland's original railroad crossed Dead Cat Alley where the Midtown Theater Building now stands and China Town flourished in the area behind Sears and Chicago Cafe.
People will also view the work of Sacramento sculptor Gary Dinnen. A number of porcelain cats are now installed along The Alley as part of the Woodland Art Center's D.C.A. Nine Lives Project.
The southern equivalent of Dead Cat Alley is Dog Gone Alley, which runs from east to west a half block south of Main Street. Dog Gone Alley was officially this past year after a movement initiated by the Woodland Art Center.
Of Woodland itself, founded in 1861, the city features a classic Main Street downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This fascinating tour captures the historic development of a small farming hamlet that grew steadily to become a wealthy commercial hub and county seat of Yolo County.
Downtown Woodland is an intact cultural center with Victorian brick buildings, a crafted classical Courthouse, and a Spanish Colonial Revival hotel.
Boy Scout Cabin
(located at 515 Lincoln Street)
This rustic redwood cabin has served a meeting place for the Boy Scouts of American since its construction in 1932 on land donated by the Elks Club. Dr. H.J. "Doc" Camp is credited with being the pioneer of the Boy Scout movement in Woodland. He organized community fundraising drives to develop the cabin. The cabin is owned by a non-profit trust that is currently raising funds to address needed repairs on the building so it can continue to serve the next generation of Scouts. Today, about 500 Boy Scouts use the cabin four nights every week.
Woodland Public Library
(located at the northwest corner of First and Court streets)
Library staff will highlight the historic parts of the Library constructed in 1905, 1915 and 1929. The original structure of 1905 was funded by a $10,000 grant from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who funded library buildings throughout California, United States and the United Kingdom. Woodland Public Library is the oldest Carnegie building in California still functioning as a library. Designed by Dodge and Dolliver of San Francisco, and constructed by Woodland contractor William Henry Curson, the Mission Revival style building features many classical elements such as the flight of stairs and columns leading to the front porch, and the interior rotunda and columns which form the entrance into the building.
Woodland Opera House
(located at Heritage Plaza)
A State Historic Park and registered California State Landmark, the Woodland Opera House is a rare example of a functioning, small town Victorian performing arts center, complete with a horseshoe balcony, this elegant building must be seen to be fully appreciated for its charm. The restoration of the theater exhibits superb craftsmanship with interior antique lighting and Arts and Crafts wallpapers that create an elegant ambiance.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
(located at southeast corner of Second & Lincoln streets)
A city of Woodland historical landmark, this beautiful 1912 Arts and Crafts style Tudor church is the work of renowned architect, William C. Hayes, who was affiliated with UC Berkeley for many years. Outstanding craftsmanship is embodied in this work of art, including genuine Tiffany stained glass windows, carved Gothic woodwork, and an ethereal pipe organ.
Christian Church Disciples of Christ
(located at S/E corner of College & Lincoln streets)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), one of the first Christian Churches in Northern California, was founded by Joshua Lawson in 1854. The Church sponsored numerous other Christian Churches and founded Hesperian College, a forerunner of Chapman University. Historic pictures, artifacts, and antiques including a pulpit, a communion table and collection box will be on display. An organ belonging to Minna Cross, Sunday School Teacher, Hesperian College Teacher, and recipient of Woodland's first bicycle license, will also be on display. The Mission Revival styled sanctuary, built in 1949, with its beautiful memorial stained glass windows will be open. Docents will explain the significance of the windows.
Beamer School
(located at Beamer and Pershing streets at Beamer Park)
Beamer is one of Woodland's oldest schools, dating back to the 1930s. The permanent buildings reflect the architecture and styling of the Beamer Park area.
Woodland Primary School
(located 175 N. Walnut Street)
Constructed in 1915, this classic Mission Revival style school is also known affectionately as "the baby school" and was later re-named Maxwell School in honor of local educator Rhoda Maxwell. It was designed by the prominent San Francisco architect William H. Weeks, who also designed the old High School and Grammar School (Dingle), both demolished. This building was recently acquired by the Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Center, which is beginning a rehabilitation of this venerable structure.
Yolo County Historical Museum (Gibson House)
(located at 512 Gibson Road)
Situated on 2.5 acres of towering trees, historical plantings, and lawn, this Greek Revival style building is the former home of pioneers Williams Byas and Mary Gibson. The house, built in phases beginning in 1857, features a front facade of four Doric columns and a Southern Plantation style balcony. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
