Porter Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1913 at the corner of Main and College Streets, this three-story commercial and office block is the largest downtown building in Woodland. Builder Earle Younger constructed it for the Porter Brothers in tan brick with white terra cotta Renaissance details. A two-story colossal order rises above the commercial ground level, slightly projecting corner bays carry rusticated quoins, and a heavy bracketed cornice caps the composition. Console brackets, a keystone and a balustrade mark the lobby entrance, and marble stairs run from the lobby to the third floor. The building is considered a good example of Second Renaissance Revival design, a style that was new to the Sacramento Valley at the time. Over the years it held the post office, a medical center, a department store, physicians, dentists, attorneys and accountants, and some of Woodland's oldest businesses remained as tenants in 1978. Its exterior is little changed from early photographs, and it remains a focal point of downtown.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a good example of Second Renaissance Revival commercial architecture from the early twentieth century. It is Woodland's largest downtown commercial and office building, sits at the corner of two key streets, and retains its original integrity. It has also housed long-running local businesses and the post office.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000828, listed November 30, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 501--511 Main St., Woodland |
|---|---|
| County | Yolo County |
| Listed | November 30, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000828 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Earle Younger (builder) |
| Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described in 1978 as structurally sound with the exterior appearing much as it did in 1916; some offices were vacant while interior restoration continued, and the building was still occupied. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Within district | Downtown Woodland Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.67762, -121.77445 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000828.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7231597
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.