Downtown Lodi Now and Then

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The photos on this page are a collection of past and present.

114 N. Church - Cornerstone Church

118 N. Church - Quality Property Services

122 N. Church - Schaffer Co Realtors

Hill was one of Lodi’s earliest pioneers who opened a jewelry store in 1870. He and his wife, Mary, had a daughter, Nellie, and a son, Maurice. In 1901, they built their grand, two-story Victorian home at 115 S. School St., across from the Post Office. George hired twin brothers Ed and Fred Cary, the finest builders of the time.

The Hills and Mary’s sister, Daisy Pleas, moved into the home. Pleas worked as a watchmaker at Hill’s store and was believed to be California’s first female watchmaker. The home was the scene of many social functions for the United Methodist Church and other groups. Both children were talented pianists, songwriters, and artists. By the late 1930s, Maurice was the only family member left living in the house.

In 1948, Lodi’s Downtown had grown, and it was uncomfortable to live in the residence. So Maurice had the house moved. That year the house was cut in half and moved to its present location, about six blocks away at 826 S. Church St.

In 1984, Maurice Hill died. In his will, Hill left the house and its original contents in a trust with the stipulation that the collection be turned into a museum so the people of Lodi could see how people lived in the early years.

Today, the Lodi Historical Society and its volunteers open the house and lead tours every Sunday afternoon.

17 E. Elm - Earle Co Fruit Packers (68)

308 N. Ham Lane - Mays One Hour Martenizing

314 N. Ham Lane - Chicken Delight (68)

401 N. Ham Lane - Lodi Nursery (68)

105 S. Ham Lane - Zion Reformed Church

The bonds were voted and the trustees purchased a block of land just four blocks from Sacramento street between Elm and Pine streets. They named it Emerson after the famous essayist, and it was dedicated in 1907, it was the last of the fire-trap school buildings. Emerson School opened as part of Salem School District located on Hutchins and Elm Streets.

The school was destroyed in 1954 because it was considered unsafe; the City purchased the property in July 1955 and later created a park in its place.

Lodi grew and another high school was built further west in the 1950s. Despite the aging buildings, this old campus continued to be used for high school classes until the spring of 1974.

On March 17, 1974, arsonists, reportedly students trying to burn up records in the office, set fire to the school. Much of the school was destroyed. As fate would have it, an already scheduled school bond election was held a few weeks later, and voters overwhelmingly saw the need to approve $13.7 million in bonds. This site was abandoned and became an eyesore while a new Tokay High School was built on the southwest edge of the city.

In 1980, the city of Lodi bought the old high school site for $475,000, and fundraising began to build the facility today known as Hutchins Street Square. In the 1980s, condemned buildings were demolished, and the gyms and music building were renovated. In 1990 the gyms were reborn as a modern Senior Center that operates a day care center for the elderly and big hall available to rent for private functions. In 1998, the Square’s final project — the Performing Arts and Conference Center — was completed. Hutchins Street Square today is the busy venue for band concerts, plays, high school proms, weddings, class reunions, daily senior activities and recreation classes taught in the upstairs swimming pool.

As a part of the fair system of the State of California, overseen by the California Department of Agriculture, Division of Fairs and Expositions, the Festival Association receives NO tax dollars for support – revenues generated from activities on the fairgrounds are used to maintain the grounds and service programs during fair time and throughout the year.

205 W. Lockeford - Douglas Gas Station (68)

300 W. Lockeford - Coin Opp Car Wash (68)

525 W. Lockeford - Mitchell & Koenig Autos (68)

606 W. Lockeford - Swanson's Cleaners (68)

1213 W. Lockeford - The Dairy Milk Stop (68)

15 W. Locust - Pacific Greyhound Lines

115 W. Locust - St Peters Lutheran Church Office

6 W. Oak St. - Kundert & Bauer Electric Appliances (68)

200 W. Oak - Lodi Methodist Church

In 1929, the Buddhist Church of Lodi was formed and raised $3,000 to purchase and remodel a former lumber mill at 23 Stockton Street. Attorney George Steele, Mayor of Lodi at the time of evacuation, oversaw the Church property during WWII, and the church served as hostel in post-war period.

The former lumber mill was replaced with a new building in 1955,which was extensively renovated in 1993, and stands today next to the 1964 Annex Building.

The Buddhist Church of Lodi, and the JACL Hall across Stockton Street, remains as a treasured gathering place for Japanese Americans and host to the entire community at the annual spaghetti feed and Obon festival.

“Japantown Memories” mural, 23 N. Stockton St. Annex Building. By Tony Segale. Dedicated June 2009

Over the years, the Lodi Arts Commission has striven to incorporate art into the city’s landscape. The Art in Public Places budget is directly funded through the Lodi City Council, Lodi Arts Commissioner Ben Burgess said, and has been allocated in part by construction and renovation impact fees. There are a series of 12 photos in this mural called “Japantown Memories” mural, 23 N. Stockton St. By Tony Segale. Dedicated June 2009.

Turner Rd - Lodi Lake

120 W. Walnut - Bank of Stockton / Former Mid-Cal Bank