People

William Binder

Drawing of the Muirson Label Company building with trees, a fence, and an American flag flying over the building.

Muirson Label Company, drawing by Ralph Rambo, 1963.

William Binder (pronounced “bender”) was born in San Francisco in 1871. Binder began his architectural career in San José in the 1890’s, designing office buildings, hotels, theaters and other public buildings. He is well-known for his effective use of steel frame construction, an emerging technology of the early 20th century that allowed for taller and taller structures. Binder designed San José’s first steel frame building, the 7-story Garden City Bank Building, which was completed in 1907. Binder also designed most of San José’s early movie houses, including the Jose Theater (1904), including the Hester (1927) and the Willow Glen (1933). The Muirson Label Company was one of William Binder’s few industrial projects. The original building at 425 Stockton Avenue was constructed in 1913 and opened in 1914.

Learn about Ralph Rambo, Muirson's art director