The 1913 Porter Building features its original steam heating system

The Porter Building is a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the Downtown Historic District of Woodland, California. Designed in 1913 by architect W.H. Weeks - who also designed the Woodland Opera House and the Yolo County Courthouse - the building features an exterior of buff-colored Roman brick with an elaborately decorated cornice. It was constructed by Earle L. Younger, a builder from San Jose who later became a resident of Woodland and a popular commercial builder in the area until the 1940s.

When it was built, the structure featured several modern amenities for its era, including an electric elevator, a steam heating system, and telephone service in each office. The building served as a significant project for Younger, helping to establish his reputation in the local construction scene. For much of the 2000s, the building remained vacant until a private community college announced plans to move into the space in December 2009.

The building is currently undergoing a remodeling project led by architect Duane Thompson to meet modern safety standards. While the interior is being prepared for classrooms and offices by keeping as many preexisting walls as possible, the exterior is being restored to its 1913 state. Notably, the original steam heating system from the 1913 construction remains intact, even as a new heating and air conditioning system is being installed.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons