Historical Properties

714-726 2nd Street Built in two phases (1926 & 1928), the Brinley Block Building, a one story brick structure, is an example of commercial architecture of the late 1920’s. The building incorporates several business establishments into one clean overall rectangular design, with ornamentation primarily consisting of integral patterns in the brick. Although not as old as the Anderson Bank Building (# 7) and the Masonic Hall (# 24) it joins with them in contributing to the surviving but limited “downtown” streetscape. The building stands on the site of a former popular gathering place of the time, Weber’s Yolo Saloon (see photo in Lofland, Pg 71). The owner of the current building is a descendent of the Weber family.

1st and F Streets The “Log Cabin” is an example of a continued fondness for the rustic forms and images of pioneer America. It is also an example of what community effort has accomplished in Davis. The community began looking for a place to house the growing range of scouting activities in 1924. The Rotary Club played a major role in fund raising, and construction of such a facility began in 1926. The “logs” of the cabin are actually electrical poles donated by P.G. & E. and members of the Rotary Club and other volunteers from the community, assisted by the Boy Scouts themselves who laid the foundation, constructed the building on land leased from the University. It was dedicated in December of 1927.

604 2nd St This two story Stick-Italianate house is a superb example of the style and the most sophisticated and best preserved of its type in Davis. It was built in 1875 for William Dresbach, a prominent local merchant who was appointed Davisville’s first Postmaster, and the elegant 12 room house reflects the lifestyle of one of early Davisville’s wealthiest citizens. As Postmaster, he is credited with naming the town after Jerome C. Davis, although there is some debate about that. Before leaving Davisville for San Francisco in 1877, Dresbach owned a general store, a livery stable, a hotel and saloon, and a grain warehouse. The house, with an intact water tower and remnants of an orange grove, is located in a transition area between the downtown commercial district and remnants of the early residential area. It is one of the few remaining early mansions in the downtown area and currently houses City of Davis offices

505 2nd Street This home, an example of the fusion of Colonial Revival and Craftsman elements, was built in 1920 by Henry Jacob Hamel and his wife Lida and served as the home for this prominent, early Davisville family for many years. Henry was the son of a German immigrant, Hartman Henry Hamel, who came to Davis in 1867. Hartman located his family on a 1200 acre ranch just south of Davisville in Solano County, which became the nucleus of a large scale cattle and farming operation. (The Werner/Hamel House**, built in 1859 on the Solano County site and purchased by Hartman in 1869, was eventually moved into Davis and is now located at 1140 Los Robles.) The home of Henry and his family is currently the office of Coldwell Banker Real Estate and the east end of the building and the handicapped access ramp are recent, business related additions.

412 C Street The only large-scale building built in the style of a Spanish Colonial structure in Davis, the church is a fine example of the best architectural achievements of the 1920’s. Not only is the structure significant, the basic landscaping makes its contribution, including the Cypress trees flanking the front entrance which have been grown from seeds brought from the Garden of Gethsemane. Initially the Davis Presbyterian Church and still affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, it was reorganized in 1925 to become interdenominational in character and renamed the Davis Community Church.  Today, Davis Community Church is a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation.