Mendocino County Planning & Building Services / Environmental Health
120 W. Fir St. — A former county office building with an earlier life in local medicine, tied to doctors, patients, permits, and the everyday workings of Fort Bragg.
Last updated: October 3, 2026
From doctors' offices associated with Redwood Coast Hospital to Mendocino County's planning, building and environmental health departments, this West Fir Street building has a history of public service. Its story also includes Dr. Paul Jay Bowman's remarkable rhododendron collection and memories of childhood visits to the doctor.
Overview
The building at 120 W. Fir Street served for many years as Mendocino County's Fort Bragg office for Planning & Building Services and Environmental Health.
Its earlier history connects it to Dr. Paul Jay Bowman, who reportedly constructed the building to provide office space for physicians working at Redwood Coast Hospital.
The building subsequently housed local medical practices before becoming a county government facility. In June 2025, both county departments relocated to 752 S. Franklin Street.
Location
Located at 120 W. Fir Street, the property stands in an established Fort Bragg neighborhood.
Unlike the commercial storefronts downtown, the building was designed for professional offices. Its surrounding rhododendrons provide a connection to the botanical interests of its original developer.
History
Dr. Paul Jay Bowman and the Medical Offices
According to family recollections, Dr. Paul Jay Bowman constructed the building so physicians associated with Redwood Coast Hospital could move their offices out of the hospital's basement.
A family descendant believes it may have been designed by Marshall Sherman or based on one of his building plans. The construction date and architectural attribution remain unconfirmed.
Dr. Bowman was also an enthusiastic botanist. Family history describes his extensive rhododendron collection at 160 Brandon Way, reportedly among the largest in the United States by the mid-1920s.
His interest in horticulture led to the rhododendrons planted around the West Fir Street building.
Dr. Hamlin, Dr. Thomas and Georgia McCloskey
Longtime residents remember Dr. Hamlin and Dr. Thomas maintaining medical offices at the property.
Dr. Hamlin was associated with Redwood Coast Hospital, the former hospital building now known as the Grey Whale Inn.
Nurse practitioner Georgia McCloskey also treated patients at the West Fir Street offices.
Together, these medical professionals provided healthcare for local families during the building's years as a medical facility.
Mendocino County Offices
Following its medical use, the property became the Fort Bragg location for Mendocino County Planning & Building Services and the Division of Environmental Health.
Planning & Building Services handled building permits, land-use applications, coastal development questions and construction inspections.
Environmental Health addressed septic systems, wells, food safety, hazardous materials and other public health concerns.
The departments served coastal residents, contractors, property owners and businesses navigating construction, environmental requirements and development projects.
The Move to South Franklin Street
On May 27, 2025, Mendocino County announced that both departments would relocate to 752 S. Franklin Street.
The move occurred June 9–13, 2025, with regular services scheduled to resume at the new location on June 16.
Their departure ended the building's longstanding role as the county's Fort Bragg planning and environmental health office.
Community Memories
For many longtime residents, the building is remembered as a doctor's office.
One former patient recalls repeated visits for strep throat, receiving treatment from Dr. Hamlin or nurse practitioner Georgia McCloskey.
Another remembers the waiting room's unusual ashtrays, which featured push buttons that dropped cigarette butts into compartments underneath. Children were warned not to play with them.
The waiting room also contained Highlights children's magazines, remembered for their word games and puzzles.
These small details offer a glimpse of everyday medical care in Fort Bragg before the building became a county office.
Why It Matters
The history of 120 W. Fir Street connects Fort Bragg's medical heritage with its later development and government services.
Originally constructed to accommodate physicians associated with Redwood Coast Hospital, the building eventually became a place where county employees addressed construction, land use, environmental protection and public health throughout the Mendocino Coast.
Its rhododendron landscaping also preserves a connection to Dr. Bowman's botanical interests.
Although the county departments relocated in 2025, the property remains an important part of Fort Bragg's medical and civic history.
Sources & Original Research
This article blends verifiable historical records with personal recollections shared by longtime Fort Bragg residents. Much of this information comes from community memory and is not available in any published source.
Original Facebook posts, photographs and community discussions provided by Gee Bee.
Community contributions from Rus Jewett, Evelyn Bishop Anderson, Suzi Rasmusson Friar, Jay McMartin-Rosenquist, Gary Koski and Joe Wagner.
Family history provided by Jay McMartin-Rosenquist concerning Dr. Paul Jay Bowman, the original medical offices, possible Marshall Sherman design and rhododendron plantings.
Historical information concerning Redwood Coast Hospital and its later identity as the Grey Whale Inn.
Mendocino County Planning & Building Services — departmental records and former West Fir Street office information.
Mendocino County — May 27, 2025 relocation announcement and June 26, 2025 countywide update.
Mendocino County Environmental Health — departmental information identifying the South Franklin Street office.
The original construction date, architectural attribution and precise chronology of the medical offices remain unverified.
