Day 121, iPhone Pics, Court House, Riverside, CA

IMG_0005.jpg, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

These are not the best quality, in fact, they are being posted to try to post from my iPhone. I emailed these to Flickr and then from the Blog This button entered text to post this without being by my computer. I cannot on the iPhone cut and paste the EXIF Data. So I will add that later on at home. This is the intereior of the Riverside County Court. This is really a nice building entrance. It is two stories and except for the metal detectors, a nice place to come.

Thanks for looking.

EXIF Data,

Camera:	Apple iPhone
Aperture:	f/2.8

Day 95, Lions, Court House, Riverside County, CA

Day 95, Lions, Court House, Riverside County, CA, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

Another detail of the old courthouse. Lions that are drain spouts for the rain gutters.

Thanks for looking.
EXIF Data,

Camera:	Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture:	f/8
Focal Length:	55 mm
ISO Speed:	400
Exposure Bias:	0/3 EV

Day 91, Court House, Riverside County, CA

Day 91, Court House, Riverside County, CA, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

A few more architectural details from the old courthouse. The columns and ceiling details are great. I will say, the county needs to clean the buildings exterior more often. I need to go inside and shoot some of the details and I will come back when Jury Duty is over and shoot at night or twilight.

One other interesting note, from the time of Judge North to the present, Riverside has been one of the Republican strongholds, the last democrat who won a majority in Riverside was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. In 1992 Clinton won but it was not a majority and the separation between Republicans and Democrats was about 1.5%. The shift is explained by the 24.3% that went to Independent Ross Pereau. Riverside is mostly in California's 45th congressional district, with parts in the 41st, 44th, and 49th all are held currently by Republicans. The same holds true for the State Assembly. In the State Senate, 3 of the 4 districts are held by republicans. 

Out takes:

Thanks for looking.
EXIF Data,

Camera:	Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture:	f/7.1
Focal Length:	55 mm
ISO Speed:	400
Exposure Bias:	0/3 EV

Day 90, Court House, Riverside County, CA

Day 90, Court House, Riverside County, CA, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

In the pic from yesterday you could see the old courthouse reflected in the windows of the new courthouse. More accurately, you could see the statues atop the old courthouse. So today I will show you some of what is on the old courthouse.

Built in 1903, the courthouse is really symbolic of why and how Riverside County was created. Up until 1893 Riverside was part of San Bernardino County and San Diego County. Ray McDevitt, in his book, "Courthouses of California; An Illustrated History" details the fight that led to the creation of Riverside County. "Between 1886 and 1891, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors sought voter approval for three successive bond issues for a new courthouse, hall of records, and jail, all to be located in the City of San Bernardino. Each measure failed, in large part due to opposition from Riverside - a rival for the county seat. The board of supervisors, unwilling to abandon its plans, first levied a tax to finance construction of the new buildings on a "pay as you go" basis. Indignant Riverside leaders tried, unsuccessfully to secede. But then the supervisors went one step further - they lowered property assessments in San Bernardino and raised them dramatically in Riverside and other areas where the bonds had failed. This vindictive measure persuaded the legislature to call an election on the question of creating a new Riverside County. The voters approved it overwhelmingly, naming Riverside as the county seat."

The courthouse was designed by prominent Los Angeles architectural firm of Burnham & Bliesner. Franklin Burnham was an accomplished architect, who also designed the Georgia State Capitol. Other Burnham projects in Riverside are the Cressman House (3390 Orange Street), Rockledge Cottage (2575 Madison Street), and the Roosevelt Building (3616-38 University Avenue). The courthouse was not built until 1903 because the same year that the county was created was the same year that the economy went south. Also, the first colony that was established when the transcontinental railroad came in 1869 was Riverside. Judge John Wesley North was an abolitionist from Tennessee who brought a group out to Southern California and founded Riverside. He was ostracized in Tennessee when he talked a crowd out of lynching a black man. A few years after that the first navel orange was planted and by the time the county was formed, Riverside was the wealthiest city, on a per capita basis, in the entire country.

In 1933 there was a major addition. There were other remodelings over the years that included fluorescent lights, air conditioning, and lowered ceilings. The courthouse was closed after the Northridge earthquake. Rather then demolish the building, the county spent $25 million to refurbish and it was reopened in 1998.

To me, it appears that our landscape is decidedly empty when it comes to a sense of history. I for one am glad that they restored rather then built new. When ever I travel back east, I am amazed at the way the history of the different cities is so tied to the buildings and places that are there. In California, so much of our history is built in malls and theme parks. There is a sense of centering and your place in the world when you get to know the history of your place. That is difficult to do when your world is built around a place that does not have any discernible feel of history.

Here are some out takes.

Thanks for looking.
EXIF Data,

Camera:	Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture:	f/10
Focal Length:	55 mm
ISO Speed:	400
Exposure Bias:	0/3 EV

Day 89, Riverside County Court, Riverside, CA

Day 89, Riverside County Court, Riverside, CA, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

As you know I have been on Jury Duty. I am actually on a Jury. Which means I can not discuss the trial. It will have to suffice to say that it is a serious matter, and emotionally it is difficult to sit through. But I can walk around a little during lunch and take some pictures.

The down town area has the "new" court house and the "old" court house. I guess it would be better said, the Hall of Justice (opened in 1991) and the Court House (originally opened in 1903 and restored in 1998). It feels a little like the Super Friends should be operating out of here just based on the name alone. But Superman and Aqua-man don't spend any time here while Wonder Woman monitors the giant computer tracking system of crime.

I love this shot. The old court house is reflected in the windows of the newer Hall of Justice. The chairs that you can see in that window are on the causeway that is part of the jury lounge. You can see clearly in the reflection the statues that adorn the old court house along with some of the palm trees. More from down town to come.

Thanks for looking.
EXIF Data,

Camera:	Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure:	0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture:	f/7.1
Focal Length:	55 mm
ISO Speed:	400
Exposure Bias:	0/3 EV