Santa Monica Planning Division Santa Monica Landmarks Tour, 2003.
34. Santa Monica City Hall, 1938
1685 Main Street
Architects: Donald Parkinson & Joseph M. Estep
Designation: 16 October 1979
"The Art Deco style City Hall was partially financed by the federal Public Works Administration. The building is a concrete structure in the Classical Moderne style, popular in the 1930s and 1940s. It carries a nautical tone to suit this oceanside community.
"The entrance is decorated with colorful tile work by the local Gladding, McBean Tile Company. The lobby murals were designed by Stanton Macdonald-Wright, and installed under the auspices of the Federal Arts Project. The building provided jobs and pride to the community during the Great Depression; it is a standing tribute to cooperation among residents, city officials and the federal government."
35. Barnum Hall, 1938
601 Pico Boulevard
Architects: Marsh, Smith & Powell
Designation: 9 December 2002
"This Streamline Moderne auditorium on the Santa Monica High School campus has long been an architectural and cultural focal point. It was one of the few Works Progress Administration (WPA) relief projects completed in Santa Monica during the 1930s. Internationally recognized local artist Stanton Macdonald-Wright created the large mosaic in the lobby and the fire curtain mural on the stage as part of the WPA and Federal Arts Project.
"The primary facade contains a large glazed grid and a geometric motif in the concrete bas-relief. The auditorium was recently extensively renovated through the efforts of the "Save Barnum Hall!" parents' organization."