Name/Title
Print, PhotographicEntry/Object ID
2007.046.0598Scope and Content
Color Photograph
901 First Street Benicia CA
First floor commercial
903 First Street Benicia CA
Second floor apartment
Parcel Number: 89-043-14
Italianate Storefront Commercial
Historical Name: Black and White Liquor Store
Classical Italianate wood two-story, rectangular plan storefront building with wood entablature and wood window trim assemblies intact. Has been stuccoed over the wood shiplap bevel horizontal siding of the south and east sides, though wood siding remains exposed at rear (west) and north side walls. The stucco has not obsured the detailing, cornerboards and window trims all being still intact. Windows are wood double hung one-over-one with plain casings/sill and Italianate bracketed hoods at storefront side, similar with plain head (no brackets, etc.) at side windows. Storefront has been altered to install vertical mullioned storefront glazing, with concrete masonry screen block applied directly over exposed wood siding at one corner. Original decorative cast metal vent grillwork still intact (one is broken) along side street (south side). Original entry to 903 (upstairs) is all wood panelwork with fancy panelwork door, possibly unaltered. The buiding has an asphalt shingle pitch-roof which rises above the level parapet pediment then rests on a horizonal plainwood base above a sloped closed cornice assimbly, supported by wood brackets which extend through panneled frieze to terminate with cyma reversa extending through the architrave. A one-story stucco building abuts (or is an addition?) at the rear of the building.
One of a cluster of Italianate/Classical storefront buildings reflective of the character of Benicia's "Main Street". This building bears remarkable resemblance as well to 828 First Street, though in better condition.Collection
Benicia Architectural Study - 1989