Santa Monica City Hall, located at 1685 Main Street, is a monumental example of the PWA Moderne style and serves as a testament to the city’s growth and civic pride during the Great Depression. Completed in 1939, the building was designed by the prominent architectural duo Donald Parkinson and Joseph M. Estep. Parkinson was already well-known for his work on Los Angeles landmarks like Union Station and Los Angeles City Hall. The project was funded by the Public Works Administration (PWA), a New Deal program created to provide employment and modern infrastructure during the economic crisis.
The building’s architecture is characterized by its symmetrical, stepped-back design, white concrete exterior, and intricate tile work. The tower, rising above the central entrance, features a colorful tile mosaic dome that has become a defining silhouette in the city’s skyline. While the exterior reflects the strength and permanence of local government, the interior was designed to tell a story of the region’s cultural and natural history.
The centerpiece of the lobby includes two massive murals entitled The History of the Santa Monica Bay Region and Recreation in Santa Monica, created by Stanton Macdonald-Wright. Macdonald-Wright was a pioneer of abstract art and a co-founder of Synchromism, an art movement that emphasized the use of color to create form and rhythm, similar to musical compositions. These murals were commissioned by the Federal Art Project (FAP), a division of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
On the north wall in The History of the Santa Monica Bay Region, Macdonald-Wright depicted the “Pre-European” era, focusing on the indigenous Tongva people and the arrival of Spanish explorers. This section emphasizes the natural springs and the pristine landscape of the bay. On the south wall in Recreation in Santa Monica, the focus shifts to the “Modern” era, showcasing the development of Santa Monica into a bustling seaside resort and industrial hub. These scenes include depictions of the Santa Monica Pier, the aeronautical industry (specifically Douglas Aircraft), and the vibrant beach culture.
What makes these murals particularly significant is the technique Macdonald-Wright used. Rather than traditional oil on canvas, he utilized petrachrome, a process involving crushed stone and colored cement. This technique was chosen for its durability and its ability to integrate seamlessly with the building’s architectural surfaces. The vibrant, saturated colors—reds, deep blues, and earthy ochres—reflect Macdonald-Wright’s obsession with color theory and give the figures a sculptural, heroic quality.
Despite their beauty, the murals have not been without controversy. In recent decades, historians and community members have critiqued the murals for their idealized and Eurocentric depiction of the Spanish “discovery” of California and the portrayal of indigenous people. This led to a period of public debate regarding how to preserve the art while acknowledging its historical biases. In 2021, the city made a commitment to install interpretive signage near the murals to provide context and honor the true history of the Tongva people, ensuring that the lobby serves as a place for education as well as aesthetic appreciation.
Santa Monica City Hall was designated a City Landmark in 1979 and remains a fully functioning seat of government. The lobby and its murals continue to be a primary destination for art historians and visitors interested in the intersection of New Deal politics, regional history, and the evolution of American modernism.
Learn more:
Living New Deal – City Hall, Santa Monica, CA
City of Santa Monica History Spotlight: Santa Monica City Hall
Hiding History at City Hall’s Mural | Santa Monica Conservancy
Perspectives on History – (Re)visioning Past and Present
City Hall: Macdonald-Wright Murals – Santa Monica, CA
KCRW – Inaccurate murals of Indigenous people might be taken down by Santa Monica. Tribal leader says that’s not enough