On an afternoon in September, 2014, Judge Robert Oliver stood alongside the iconic Fresno Courthouse Cupola as representatives from the Fresno Historical Society, The Big Fresno Fair, Friends of the Big Fresno Fair and the Caglia family gathered to formally announce an agreement between The Big Fresno Fair and Fresno Historical Society that will allow the cupola to be part of The Big Fresno Fair Museum as part of a long-term loan agreement.
“The cupola preserves a piece of our history in Fresno County and our judicial system,” stated Judge Oliver, former President of the Fresno Historical Society board and current member. “We have a mission – and a responsibility – to ensure more of our artifacts like the Fresno Courthouse Cupola are preserved for the public to see, learn from and understand its rich history. This partnership with The Big Fresno Fair allows us to accomplish that mission. We look forward to having the cupola on display at the Fair Museum for a very long time.”
Constructed in 1875 with the design led by Sacramento architect A.A. Bennett, the Fresno Courthouse was 95 ft. long, 60 ft. wide and 57 ft. high. The dome that topped the courthouse brought that height to a staggering 112 ft. In 1893 two wings were added to the courthouse, one on each side of the original building, and the first dome was replaced by a larger copper dome. Wide granite steps and tall columns were also added that same year. On July 29, 1895, a fire damaged the courthouse, causing the copper dome to melt and collapse through the upper floors. The courthouse was then rebuilt with a third story, a large front room and a wider, fireproof dome. A cupola, designed by John M. Curtis of San Francisco, was set on top of the dome.
Then in 1962, a report found that the old Fresno Courthouse would be unable to withstand an earthquake as strong as that which destroyed the Kern County Courthouse in Bakersfield in 1952. The engineers estimated it would cost $844,250 to make the building structurally sound – recommending they do not rehabilitate the structure. This led to a long, highly publicized political battle that took place over the courthouse and the iconic cupola that rested at its perch. In 1966, the cupola was removed from the Fresno Courthouse, not to be viewed by the public again for nearly 20 years until it was displayed briefly in 1985 outside the Fresno Metropolitan Museum, and then again returned to a warehouse for storing. The Fresno Historical Society officially took ownership of the cupola in 1997.
In March 2015, The Big Fresno Fair and the Fresno Historical Society partnered to bring the iconic 1895 Fresno Courthouse Cupola to The Big Fresno Fair Museum. On Friday, March 20, 2015, the Cupola was moved from the Caglia Family storage unit in Downtown Fresno to the Fresno Fairgrounds where it underwent extensive restoration before it was put on display at the 2016 Big Fresno Fair. This was the first time in more than 30 years that the public has seen the famed Courthouse Cupola. It now stands proudly on the perimeter of the Paul Paul Theater, completely restored and lit up for all to enjoy.