For the past 20 years, one of my favorite habits has been taking a morning walk through downtown Palo Alto.
I have walked these same streets so many times, but I still find something new when I slow down and look around.
This morning, I looked up and noticed the words “Downing Block” at the top of a beautiful old building at 201 Hamilton Avenue. I immediately wondered: Who was Downing? Why is his name up there?
It reminded me of how I discovered the Arch of Ely—simply by being curious. So, of course, I went home and did a little research.
And wow, there was quite a story.
The Downing Block was built in 1909 and was an important building in early downtown Palo Alto. It even served as Palo Alto’s post office from 1909 to 1928. To put that in perspective, Palo Alto’s population grew from 37 people in 1890 to 1,658 by 1910.
The building was named for T. B. (Thomas Benton) Downing, an early Palo Alto property investor and a member of Palo Alto’s first City Council from 1909 to 1913. He invested heavily in Palo Alto when it was still a young, growing community.
That caught my attention. Mr. Downing Block was buying property, opening businesses, building neighborhoods, and investing in Palo Alto’s future.
After working in real estate for so many years, I find that especially meaningful. Real estate is about more than a house or a building. Every property has people and decisions behind it—and sometimes a story that lasts for generations.
Sometimes all I have to do is look up and stay curious.
Juliana
Walking in downtown Palo Alto
