California Pioneer

MORGAN

The first female architect to be licensed in California, Julia Morgan was a master of structural design and interior decoration.

Trained in Paris, Morgan possessed a talent in drafting and design that was balanced by a thorough understanding of engineering and materials. Her crowning achievement is the legendary Hearst Castle in San Simeon.

After the San Francisco earthquake, Morgan was hired to reinforce the damaged Merchants Exchange and reconfigure and redecorate its vast trading hall. She also completely redesigned the grand ballroom, which has been named in her honor.

The Julia Morgan Ballroom has been a premier location for elegant events in San Francisco for more than a century.