Agnews State Hospital, Dining Hall, Beteween Avenue A & End of Palm Drive, Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, CA

Significance: Building 39 is significant during the period from 1908 to 1941 as an integral component of the reconstruction of Agnews State Hospital in a pavilion plan. The 1907 design for the hospital symbolized not only a reconfiguration of buildings into smaller structures in a park-like setting, but an important change in the perspectives on and the treatment of patients. Agnews was the first mental facility in California to switch from the confinement and permanent housing of patients to humane treatment (including exposure to clean air and sunlight) with the hope of release. Building 39 represents the food service portion of the plan. In keeping with the pavilion model, Building 39 was constructed as a small, specialized unit surrounded by grass and trees, with ample windows. In addition, Building 39 and the other structures from the 1907 plan are important as early attempts to use reinforced concrete as an earthquake and fire-resistant material.
Survey number: HABS CA-2710-Z
Building/structure dates: ca. 1908 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1926 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1958 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1998 Demolished