On the northeast corner of the intersection is Elks Lodge, dedicated in 1926. Of Spanish Mission architecture that reflects that Carlisle Building down the block, it has some interesting highlights.
On this steep block between First and Main occurred in 1905 an interesting little vignette that illustrates the change in tactics of law enforcement agencies. After a snowfall, the kids discovered this steep slope was ideal sledding. This bothered no one, since traffic couldn’t make it up the hill anyway. But the children couldn’t stop their sleds and kept shooting out in front of oncoming Main Street traffic, which was all horse-drawn, but nevertheless dangerous. Instead of ordering the kids off and then patrolling all day to keep them from returning, one clever policeman solved the problem neatly. He simply salted the street, melting the snow, and that took care of that.
Turn left on Main Street. The first major building on the north side was built in 1890. The engaged columns and ornate cornice that appear to be stonework are really pressed tin. The Victorians did that often.
The next building, constructed for a large department store that has since closed, was imaginatively turned into a mini-mall and now houses various galleries and creative shops, much to the delight of visiting shoppers and residents alike.