Anderson Medico-Dental Building

The Anderson Medico-Dental building at the northwest corner of East and Matheson Streets is the only known example of Streamline Moderne architecture in Healdsburg. Constructing such a modern building in 1939 demonstrated Dr. A.M. Anderson's faith in his practice and signaled confidence in the future to a community reeling from the Depression. The business opened with state-of-the-art equipment and cutting edge technology. Current owners, Dr. David and Cathy Anderson, have owned and maintained the building since 1973. Honored to receive a Commercial Historic Preservation award from the Healdsburg Museum in January 2022, the Andersons have loaned the original building plans to the Museum for display.

Built in 1939, the Anderson Building was built in the Streamline Moderne style (also called Art Moderne). Art Moderne buildings represent sleek modern industrial design. The exterior design is simple and elegant. Art Moderne represents a departure from pre-Depression designs that were considered to have too much frivolous ornamentation. Stylistic elements emphasize curving forms, long lines, metal windows, and smooth wall finishes.^{[1], [2]}

The Anderson Building was constructed for Dr. A.M. Anderson, DDS, near the end of the Great Depression. At this time, events such as the Golden Gate International Exposition and the New York World’s Fair took place to show that America had faith in its future. Anderson was doing the same thing by constructing this building. By investing money, he showed that his company was strong; that he believed in the community; and that good times were ahead.

The sleek Art Moderne Medico-Dental building demonstrated Anderson’s faith in his practice and community. Designed by J. Clarence Felciano, a prominent Santa Rosa architect, the building was the first of its kind with glass block windows in Healdsburg. Not only was it in a modern architectural style, but it had an x-ray room, laboratory, and children’s playroom, all considered cutting edge for the time. Dr. Anderson paid $7500 to build the Anderson Medico-Dental Building.^[3] 

Today the building serves its original purpose as medical offices. In 1973, Dr. David Anderson (no relation) came to practice in the building with Dr. Bill Bruce. Dr. Anderson laughs, that, "without knowing it I signed a paper buying half the building." Then Bill Bruce decided to leave town about 1976. They tried to sell the building, but no one wanted an old building in Healdsburg. So Dr. Anderson reluctantly had to buy out Dr. Bruce. Shortly after that, Dr. Anderson and his wife Cathy discovered that the building was built by dentist A.M. Anderson, and already named the Anderson building. They now appreciate that the building has been such a good investment. The couple had thought about modernizing it; getting rid of those old glass blocks. Fortunately they went to architect Mike Rubenstein for advice and he said: “No way! They are special.” He also told them to paint the circles around the windows like they did in the 1930s style. Dr. Dave and Cathy Anderson (no relation to A.M. Anderson) were honored with a Commercial Historic Preservation Award from the Healdsburg Museum for the Anderson Medico-Dental Building in 2022. "We're proud to own it," they declared.

^[1] Longstreth, Richard. The Buildings of Main Street: A Guide to American Commercial, pp 126-127

^[2] Architectural Styles of America and Europe, Art Deco and Moderne, https://architecturestyles.org/italianate/, October 2011

^[3] Healdsburg Tribune, Enterprise and Scimitar, Volume LXXV, Number 17, 30 November 1939 — MEDICO-DENTAL BUILDING OPENS THIS SUNDAY Public Invited to Inspect Anderson Structure