While smooth or polished stone surfaces are frequent, brick and, later, concrete and plaster were used in many of the California buildings. The central element is more like a three-dimensional door frame which extends forward from the flat plane of the rectangular building, and which does not break the roof line. The simple style easily accommodated a variety of architectural elements and became increasingly popular in the later Carnegie years when grants were smaller and materials more costly. As described by Van Slyck, the Classical Revival style lends itself to incorporation of elements of other styles. In California, the type can be divided into those more purely classical, and those incorporating Mission elements.
Sixteen are more strictly Classical, without extensive incorporation of elements from other styles.
They are characterized by symmetry and a central entrance element, with an assortment of segmented pediments, columns, pilasters and parapets. Alturas now more closely resembles the Moderne style, having been substantially altered, inside and out. Those no longer standing are Redwood City, San Mateo, Huntington Beach, and Sebastopol. Also in this group but less clearly Classical are Lakeport and Ukiah, both symmetrical, simple and dignified. If research reveals that Calexico was built in the style in which it now appears, it might be reclassified with Lakeport and Ukiah.