Oscar Easley Block, also known as Historic City Hall, is a prominent building that was one of the early founding buildings in

San Clemente, California San Clemente (; Spanish for " St. Clement" ) is a coastal city in southern Orange County, California, United States. It was named in 1925 after the Spanish colonial island (which was named after a Pope from the first century). Located in the ...

, originally built to house offices and a bank. The building was added to the

National Register of Historic Places listings in Orange County, California __NOTOC__ This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Orange County, California. This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Orange County, C ...

in 1983.

History

Construction

Two years after the initial grading was completed by Oscar Easley's street grading crew, Easley acquired the property across the street from Ole Hansen's real estate offices which were selling lots in the newly created city of

San Clemente San Clemente (; Spanish for " St. Clement" ) is a coastal city in southern Orange County, California, United States. It was named in 1925 after the Spanish colonial island (which was named after a Pope from the first century). Located in the O ...

. Easley was also responsible for laying the foundation for Ole Hansen's beachfront home

Casa Romantica Casa Romantica, officially known as the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, is a historic building in San Clemente, California. It was the home of Ole Hanson who co-founded the city of San Clemente. Casa Romantica was listed on the Natio ...

. In March 1929, a building permit was pulled to construct a two-story office building. The first floor of the office building would eventually be occupied by

Bank of America The Bank of America Corporation (Bank of America) (often abbreviated BofA or BoA) is an American multinational investment banking, investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered at the Bank of America Corporate Center in ...

, while the second floor would become offices for the Chamber of Commerce, and Headquarters of the Ole Hanson Organization. The office building was designed by Virgil Westbrook who was also the designer of the San Clemente Beach Club. The building was built by Leroy M Strang. Virgel and Leroy both were elected in 1928 to the first five-member City Council of San Clemente. Leroy also served as the Mayor. Oscar Easley Block Atrium

Ownership

In 1936 the building became property of the Bank Of America due to a foreclosure action. The building was then acquired by Bill Ayer Jr, who then sold it to a new owner, Leo Fessenden, who in 1956 initiated a retail music business called the "House Of Music" on the property.https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/d95a2379-6f3d-4ce7-87c2-44743e18ec1b/

References

{{Reflist

External links

Nomination Form - National Register of Historic Places
Buildings and structures in San Clemente, California National Register of Historic Places in Orange County, California Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in California