Dr. Rowan Building, Long Beach

The Dr. Rowan Building may not fill cavities anymore, but it still has bite. Named after its first upstairs tenant鈥擠r. Rowan, better known around town as 鈥渢he Credit Dentist鈥濃€攖his quirky professional offered smiles on layaway back in the 1930s, complete with flexible payment plans and street-level signage that practically shouted, 鈥淵our molars are safe with me.鈥� Slide downstairs and you could find the Bank of Italy鈥檚 turf. The whole building, commissioned in 1930 and sketched into being by architect Charles W. Pettifer, doubled as a place to stash your cash and fix your grin鈥攖alk about multi-use real estate.

Today, the Rowan Building isn鈥檛 just a handsome face on Pine Avenue鈥攊t鈥檚 an Art Deco showstopper. Known as one of the finest surviving examples of the 鈥渮igzag鈥� phase of the era, the building wears its geometry proudly. Its terra cotta tiles don鈥檛 whisper elegance鈥攖hey sing in seaside melodies. Picture stylized waves, fish, sea birds, and glints of sun, all swimming through turquoise and gold patterns that would make even pharaohs pause for a second look.

More than just eye candy, this building stood strong through the 1933 earthquake and came out with even more character. It鈥檚 a testament to Long Beach鈥檚 talent for reinvention, resilience鈥攁nd really good taste in architectural ornamentation. These days, the ground floor is home to shops and small businesses, while the upper levels still hum with office life. For visitors, it鈥檚 a perfect snapshot of 1930s glamour that refuses to fade鈥攑roof that buildings, much like good dental work, are meant to be both beautiful and made to last.

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Sight Name: Dr. Rowan Building
Sight Location: Long Beach, USA (See walking tours in Long Beach)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Long Beach, California

Create Your Own Walk in Long Beach

Creating your own self-guided walk in Long Beach is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Long Beach Historical Buildings Tour

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