On our latest "Foody" adventure in the City of Napa , California, our walking tour happen to pass one of the most recognizable buildings in the city " The Winship-Smernes Building" also known as the "Hennessy Building". This building is a fine example of late 19 century "Italianate Victorian " architecture.
In 1887, a wealthy gentleman from Minneapolis by the name of Edward H. Winship had local architect " Luther M. Turton" design plans for the building.
The most notable feature of the building was it's octagon tower, which was damaged and later removed after the devastating 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The turreted tower you see today was reinstalled during the renovation and restoration of the building in 1985.
Thanks to the restoration efforts of developer " Ging Chan " architect "Dan Paterson ", and builder " William Cook", the Winship Building has won the covenant " Napa Chamber of Commerce Civic Improvement Award for Historic Preservation " and was placed in the National Registry of Historic Places in 1977.
The street level store front was first occupied by druggist "Springsteen" and then soon bought out by "Levinsons Drug Store" in 1897 and operated in this location for the next 80 years ! Today the building is home to one of Napa's most popular coffee roasters " Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Co."
So if you ever happen to be in the City of Napa, sit back , sip some wine and take in its amazing history ! I will surely be back soon !
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