HISTORIC FRESNO COURTHOUSE CUPOLA MOVES TO FRESNO FAIRGROUNDS FOR RESTORATION ON FRIDAY, MARCH 20
FRESNO, Calif. — As a result of an agreement struck between The Big Fresno Fair and Fresno Historical Society in September 2014, the Fresno Courthouse Cupola will move to the Fresno Fairgrounds to be prepared for restoration. A fundraising campaign is currently underway to pay for the restoration of this iconic piece of Fresno history tentatively scheduled to be completed in Fall 2016 if sufficient funds have been raised. Individuals, businesses or organizations interested in supporting this effort are asked to contact the Friends of the Big Fresno Fair, the Fair’s non-profit foundation, at (559) 650-3228 or via email at lking@fresnofair.com.
Once restored, the Cupola will be displayed as part of expanded section of The Big Fresno Fair Museum, which is currently being constructed. The expanded Museum, which will also include a name change to better represent the wide array of Fresno County artifacts showcased, will be a new two-story, 7,000 sq. ft. building located just inside the Chance Avenue Gate next to the Paul Paul Theater. The expanded Museum building will include roll up doors to accommodate large pieces of memorabilia like tractors, cars and wagons on the first floor. Then as part of the second floor, a Fresno Courthouse courtroom will be recreated with 100-year old preserved Fresno courtroom furnishing, along with historical photos that will transport visitors back to what a courtroom looked like in the early 1900s. This area will be opened to the public for viewing, as well as to Fresno County students for mock trials.
Additionally, the historic 1947 Mars Drive-in sign will be transported to the Fair to be part of the expanded Big Fresno Fair Museum.
Friday, March 20, 2015 the Cupola will be placed on a trailer for transportation to the Fresno Fairgrounds.
The Big Fresno Fair Museum, which was first revealed in 2013, features more than 2,600 items relative to the Fair, Valley agriculture and life in Fresno County over the past 132 years. The Fresno Courthouse and Cupola were a significant part of Fresno’s history and as such, is imperative to include as part of the newly expanded Big Fresno Fair Museum. Once restored and debuted as part of the Museum at the estimated date of Fall 2016, it will be the first time in nearly 30 years that the Fresno Courthouse Cupola has been seen by the public.
About the Fresno Courthouse Cupola:
Constructed in 1875 with the design led by Sacramento architect A.A. Bennett, the Fresno Courthouse was 95 ft. long, 60 ft. wide and 57 ft. high. The dome that topped the courthouse brought that height to a staggering 112 ft. In 1893 two wings were added to the courthouse, one on each side of the original building and the first dome was replaced by a larger copper dome. Wide granite steps and tail columns were also added that same year. On July 29, 1895 a fire damaged the courthouse and caused the copper dome to melt and collapse through the upper floors. The courthouse was then rebuilt with a third story, a large front room and a wider, fireproof dome. A cupola, designed by John M. Curtis of San Francisco, was set on top of the dome.
