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Save the Historic Lodi City Hall & Firehouse!
Help us Turn This building Into a Museum to be proud of
Please help us raise the funds toward the restoration of this unique building to serve as the Society’s headquarters and local museum. Over 80 donors so far have pledged their support towards our goal. It’s going to take a herculean effort to finish this project but we have been amazed at the community support. Any donation both large or small demonstrates your love and commitment to our beautiful City of Lodi and the preservation of our unique heritage. All online donations are secure and your information stays with the Lodi Historical Society. You can request anonymity or make donations in honor of loved ones, organizations, and causes!
Please enter any amount on the from to the right to make a secure online pledge.
Or you can text the #53-555 with the phrase “LodiMuseum” (all one word) to receive a link with the instructions on how to donate.
Remember all donations are Tax-Deductible as allowed by law!
BRIEF BUILDING HISTORY:
After incorporation in 1906, the first Board of Trustees met in a “Public Hall” that was owned by the county and was located on the east side of N. Sacramento St. between Locust and Lockeford Streets. This substantial building also served as part of the county jail system and after 6 years of use and contentious relations with the County Supervisor, Lodi City Officials soon called for a centralized seat of operations and a new building to meet in. In 1911, Lodi had grown into a bustling city of about 3,000 residents and needed an “official” city hall. They hired 24-year-old architect Charles Rice, who lived with his mother and sisters at 419 E. Locust Street in Lodi. After navigating lowest-bid suppliers and cumbersome red tape, in 1912 young Charles succeeded in constructing a strong brick building that served the city well for many decades.
By 1928 city administrators outgrew the City Hall building on Main Street and built a new City Hall at 221 W. Pine Street. The entire 1912 building was then turned over to the Fire Department. After 55 years of use, in 1967, the city built a second fire station at 210 W. Elm St. which then became their new headquarters. The Main Street location continued as a firehouse until its full decommissioning in 1981. City officials occasionally used the 1912 building for meetings and storage through the 1990s.
BUILDING WORK IN PROGRESS:
Our architect, NJA Architecture, has drawn plans for an exhibit space downstairs and a Firefighter Meeting Hall upstairs. The building has been cleared and cleaned, new roof and windows installed, and several construction issues addressed. Please help the Lodi Historical Society raise the funds toward the restoration of the building and to construct a family-friendly museum. Any donation, small or large, demonstrates your love and commitment to our beautiful City of Lodi … and Lodi’s future children will thank you!!!
Your tax-deducible donation gets us closer to our goal of saving this building and building a museum. Please share this fundraiser with people and organizations who love Lodi and its history! THANK YOU!