Hercules City Council
October 22, 2024

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m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley September 17, 2024

Timothy Rood
Community Development Director
Community Development Department
City of Hercules
111 Civic Drive, Hercules, CA 94547

RE: FINAL – Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation
Building 54 / Queen Anne

Dear Timothy,

Enclosed is the Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation (Evaluation) prepared of the Hercules Powder Works Building 54, also referred to as the “Queen Anne”, built circa 1905 and originally located on 2 Kings Avenue and previously associated with the Hercules Village Historic District. In accordance with the agreed scope of work for the proposal dated July 18, 2024, Task 1 (Project Initiation and Site Visit), Task 2 (Draft Evaluation) , and Task 3 ( Final Evaluation) are now complete. On September 16, 2024, City staff reviewed the Draft Evaluation and provided comments which were addressed in the Final Evaluation. The Final Evaluation is provided on the following page, Attachment A.

Please reach out at your earliest convenience if you have any questions on the Final Evaluation and we may schedule a follow -up meeting. I look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience.

Respectfully submitted,

ISABEL CASTELLANO
Historic Preservation Specialist
[email protected]
707.304.7215

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley PREPARED FOR:

Community Development Department
City of Hercules
111 Civic Drive,
Hercules, CA 94547
PREPARED BY:

Metropolitan Planning Group (M-Group)
Isabel Castellano, Historic Preservation Specialist
Sean Manalo, Associate Planner

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Historical Resource Integrity Evaluation (Evaluation) was prepared by Metropolitan Planning Group (M-Group) at the request of the City of Hercules, Community Development Department to provide a determination whether the Hercules Powder Works Building 54, also referred to as the “Queen Anne,” (subject structure), retains integrity as a historic resource in accordance with the National Register Criteria for Evaluation and with Article 5, §15064.5 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.

The subject structure was evaluated in 2017 and was found to have individual significance based on its association with former Hercules Mayor Woodfield and was determined to retain integrity to convey that significance. As a result of the 2017 Historic Resource Evaluation (HRE) the Queen Anne was considered a historic resource for the purposes of CEQA. However, as outlined in this evaluation, the structure no longer retains integrity due to its deteriorated state and does not convey its historic significance. Therefore, the subject structure no longer qualifies individually as a historical resource under CEQA Guidelines §15064.5(a)(3)

2. SITE DESCRIPTION
The subject structure was constructed in approximately 1905, originally located at 2 Kings Avenue, and was formerly listed as a contributor to the “Hercules Village” Historic District. The Hercules Village was associated with the Hercules Powder Company, w hich came to be one of the most significant explosives and chemical factories in the west. The factory comprised nine square miles of the Refugio Creek watershed, with two piers extending to the San Pablo Bay and an extensive internal railroad system powered by compressed-air locomotives.

The subject structure was taken off its foundation and moved to a location slightly west of its original site by the Bixby Company between 2001 and 2002. In 2010, the subject structure was moved by the City of Hercules to the City -owned Corporate Yard, approximately one -half mile from its original location and outside of the District boundaries. The subject structure is supported over steel I-beams and surrounded by a chain link fence.

3. METHODOLOGY
The methodological approach used to complete this evaluation consisted of conducting a site visit with photographic documentation of the structure, brief historical research of the structure and the associated persons and events, and a review of former evaluations (refer to Appendix I to VI).

In addition, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), and the California Historic Preservation’s (OHP’s) “Built Environment Resource Directory (BERD), were consulted.

A site visit was completed by M-Group Associate Planner, Sean Manalo, on August 7, 2024. During the site visit, the subject structure’s existing condition was recorded with photographs of the Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley structure and its site (Appendix IV). Additional notes on the architectural features of the subject structure were recorded for the development of this evaluation.

The Evaluation was completed by M -Group Historic Preservation Specialist, Isabel Castellano.

Isabel Castellano meets the Secretary of the Interior Standards Professional Qualifications for Architectural Historian, Architecture, and Historic Architecture. She holds a Master of Arts in Conservation Studies of Historic Buildings and a Bachelor of Architecture.

4. HISTORIC OVERVIEW
An in -depth historic overview of the subject structure is available in the Historic Resource Evaluation (HRE) completed by Lilly Biano, M-Group Preservation Specialist, dated January 5, 2017 (Appendix I). The HRE provided a historic context of the Hercules Powder Company, an outgrowth of the California Powder Works founded in 1861 in Santa Cruz, California which grew to be one of the most significant explosives and chemical plants in the west. Additional context was also provided for the Worker Village that accommodated the Hercules Powder Company workforce due to their isolated location and rental shortages in Pinole.

5. HISTORY OF SUBJECT PROPERTY
The subject structure was one of thirty buildings included within the Hercules Powder Company, listed as the “Hercules Village” historic district in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The subject structure was identified as a contributing structure to the historic district. The Queen Anne was taken off its foundation and moved to a location slightly west of its original site by the Bixby Company between 2001 and 2002. In 2010, the subject structure was cut into two pieces and moved by the City of Hercules to the City-owned Corporate Yard, approximately one-half mile from its original location and outside of the District boundaries.

M-Group was retained in 2017 to prepare historical and environmental documentation, including a Historic Resource Evaluation (HRE), to evaluate potential impacts related to a proposal to again relocate the building (Appendix I). The HRE evaluated the historic significance of the building and determined that the structure had lost its significance as a contributor to the Hercules Village Historic District based on its relocation outside of the boundaries of the district. However, the HRE found that the subject structure had individual significance based on its association with former Hercules Mayor Woodfield and at the time of the evaluation the building retained integrity to convey that significance and therefore was considered a historic resource for the pu rposes of CEQA in 2017.

Following the completion of the HRE, the City of Hercules Planning Commission adopted Resolution #18-11 finding that the Relocation and Rehabilitation of the Queen Anne from its location at 1000 Sycamore Avenue in the City’s Corporation Yard to an undetermined location was Categorically Exempt under CEQA Guidelines. As noted in the City of Hercules’s Planning Commission Meeting Staff Report, dated May 7, 2018 (Appendix II), the need for an environmental Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley determination for moving the subject structure originated as a result of direction from the City Council in September 2016 to market the subject structure “to interested buyers that intend to rehabilitate and use the structure either in the City or in another community.” A 2016 solicitation process for the structure’s removal at no cost to the City (Appendix V) resulted in the selection of a house mover, Rockhead and Quarry, with whom a Bill of Sale was executed in 2022 with the intention to relocate the house to a site i n Pinole. In preparation to move the house to a site in Pinole, the house mover deconstructed the roof and front gable and stored the roofing lumber inside the subject structure. The front shingled gable was unable to fit inside and was stored outdoors, on the ground and exposed to the elements. In 2024, the subject structure was wrapped in a temporary tarp to prevent intrusion from rain.

Rockhead and Quarry notified the City on May 22, 2024 , that they were withdrawing from the project. No repairs or maintenance of the subject structure appears to have occurred since its relocation to the City’s Corporation Yard. A site visit to evaluate the existing conditions of the subject structure was conducted on August 7, 2024, by Sean Manalo, Associate Planner . Up to date photographs taken during the site visit are included in Appendix VIII.

6. EXISTING CONDITIONS
The subject structure was originally built in the Queen Anne architectural style, common from 1880 to 1910. A typical Queen Anne structure includes a steeply pitched roof of irregular shape, patterned shingles, cutaway bay windows, an asymmetrical façade with partial or full-width porch is usually one -story in height and extends along one or both side walls. Decorating detailing subtypes include spindlework, free classic, half-timbered, and patterned masonry work. Most of the single -family residential struc tures, within the Hercules Village District were designed as Queen Anne architectural style, referred to as “Queen Ann Cottages,” and varied between one- to two-stories.

The subject structure was not an elaborate example of the Queen Anne style and did not retain architectural merits for high ornamentation. The HRE (Appendix 1) described the subject structure as follows:

The primary entry features a partial, recessed porch supported by turned posts and was originally accessed by wood stairs, which are no longer intact. The entrance is centered and to the left of it is an angled bay window with gabled roof. The house is punctuated with simple double hung wood windows. Detailing on the house is relatively muted with the only embellishments being the fish scale shingles adorning the gable front of the cutaway bay and spindle work on the porch supports.

The HRE (Appendix 1) also identified the character defining features of the subject structure to be its one- story height, cross gable roof, partial porch, angled and square bay windows, double hung windows, v ariation in siding materials , and s pindle work . The following content provides an evaluation of the existing conditions of these character defining features.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley a. One-story height: The subject structure relatively retains its one-story height. However, the building had been divided into two pieces for its temporary relocation. The interior of the building was not accessed for this evaluation due to its unsafe condition, temporarily placed over the steel I-beams and covered with a temporary tarp. Other features near the roof, eaves, and porch, which were covered by the temporary tarp, may have been partially lowered, damaged, and/or reduced in height.
b. Cross gable roof : The subject structure’s primary cross gable roof had been removed in pieces and no longer provided coverage to the building’s interior. A piece of the decorated shingle is located on the ground, at the base of the structure. A temporary tarp is fixed above the subject structure and tied to the four primary corners. The subject structure’s secondary gable roof profile is visible from the edge of the temporary tarp. c. Partial porch: The partial porch was not identifiable within the subject structure. Exposed flooring on one side of the subject structure suggests that the partial porch was divided when the structure was split into two pieces during its relocation. d. Angled and square bay windows: The angled and square bays were not completely covered by the temporary tarp and have gravely deteriorated. Paint layers on the wood horizontal siding and window trim have pealed and chipped away leaving surfaces of dirt, built grime, dust, and exposed wood.
e. Doubled hung windows : Similarly to the angled and square bays, the windows were not completely covered by the temporary tarp. The windows’ wood frames and muntins have lost their exterior paint finish. Many of the muntins are out of place or missing. Surveyed from a distance, the window frames appeared non-operable, and many have been pried and left open. Most of the windows have been boarded from the inside and no longer retain its original glazing.
f. Variation in siding materials : The only siding material visible and not covered by the temporary tarp is the horizontal wood siding material. If other variations of siding materials were contained in the subject structure, it is presumed to have been removed and/or altered.
g. Spindle work: No spindle work was visible on the subject structure within the areas uncovered by the temporary tarp. It is presumed to have been deteriorated and hidden under the temporary tarp, and/or removed from the subject structure.

7. INTEGRITY EVALUATION
Properties listed within the National Register are automatically listed in the California Register of Historic Resources. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) resources that meet the criteria of the California Register of Historical Resources are considered historical resources for the purposes of CEQA. The State Office of Historic Preservation has recommended the National Register of Historic Properties Criteria for Evaluation as a uniform standard for California because they Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley provide a basis for assessing the significance of historical resources at the national, state, and local levels. As such, they encompass and provide for routine consideration of other applicable state and local criteria.1
Determination of historical significance requires that several factors are considered, including the property’s history (both construction and use); the history and context of the surrounding community; an association with important persons or uses; the number of resources associated with the property; the potential for the resources to be the work of a master architect, builder, craftsman, landscape gardener, or artist; the historical, architectural or landscape influences that have shaped the property’s design and its pattern of use; and alterations that have taken place; and lastly how these changes may have affected the property’s historical integrity.

Historic resources must possess both historical significance and retain historic integrity. As identified in the National Register Bulletin, “How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation,” integrity is the ability of a property to convey its significance. The National Register criteria recognizes seven aspects or qualities that, in various combinations, define integrity. As previously noted in the HRE (Appendix 1), it is not required that a property retains all of its historic physical features or characteristics, rather a property must retain at the very least, those essential features which allow it to convey its significance. The essential features are those that define (1) why a property is significant and (2) when it was significant. The seven aspects of integrity include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.

After the relocation of the subject structure, it was evaluated and found to retain enough integrity to convey its significant association with former mayor, Eugene Woodfield, who served as mayor from 1962 to 1975 and was instrumental in shaping modern Hercules following the closure of the explosives/chemical plant (refer to Appendix 1 – HRE, page 12). In 2015, the subject structure retained integrity as an individually significant resource associated with a person demonstrably important in local history.

The evaluation provided below assesses each of the seven aspects of integrity based on the subject structure’s condition evaluated during the site visit, conducted on August 7, 2024, to determine whether there is sufficient integrity remaining to support the Queen Anne’s significance associated with the former Mayor Eugene Woodfield.

1. Location: Refers to the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where historic event occurred.

The subject structure has been relocated twice. It was originally located at 2 Kings Avenue, within the Hercules Village Historic District. Then, relocated to approximately 100 feet west of its original site, but still within the boundaries of the Hercul es Village Historic District in

1 California Office of Historic Preservation . Instructions for Recording Historical Resources , March 1995. Available at:
https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1054/files/manual95.pdf
Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley approximately 2002. Its second relocation occurred in 2010, when the subject structure was moved by the City of Hercules to the City-owned Corporate Yard, approximately one-half mile from its original location and outside of the District boundaries. This second relocation was intended as a temporary location to allow time and interested parties to propose an appropriate location for the subject structure. However, the house mover selected by the City abandoned the project in 2024. It has since remained in two pieces at the City’s Corporation Yard. The City’s Corporation Yard is not a suitable or permanent location, and does not support nor reflect similarities with the subject structure’s historic place in a residential or village (mixed-use) area as the residence of the former Mayor Eugene Woodfield. As such, the subject property no longer retains the integrity of location.

2. Design: Refers to the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of a property.

The design of the subject structure has been compromised since its overall form, plan, and structure have been affected with the splitting of the structure into two pieces. Removal of the roof and use of a temporary tarp increased its deterioration and los s of historic fabric. The subject structure’s Queen Anne architectural style is slightly identifiable. However, its character defining features have been deteriorated beyond repair. Refer to Section 6 of the evaluation for description of its existing condi tions and evaluation of character defining features. As such, the subject structure no longer retains the integrity of design.

3. Setting: Refers to the physical environment of a historic property.

The subject structure is no longer located in its original location at 2 Kings Avenue, where its setting included a ridge, above the Hercules Powder Company plant operations in an area known as “the Hill.” As similarly noted for the evaluation integrity of location, the City’s Corporation Yard is not a suitable and not a permanent location, and does not support nor reflect similarities with the subject structure’s historic place of a residential or village (mixed- use) area as the residence of the former May or Eugene Woodfield . As such, the subject structure no longer retains the integrity of setting.

4. Materials: Refers to the physical elements that were combines or deposited during a particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property.

As previously described in Section 5 of the evaluation, no repairs or maintenance of the subject structure appears to have occurred since its relocation to the City’s Corporation Yard.

The roof was removed into sections and a temporary tarp was placed as t he only protection from the elements. Some roof pieces were left on the ground at the base of the subject structure. The exterior and structural elements that supported and enclosed the subject structure have been comprised with its removal, split, and/or deterioration. Due to its state of deterioration and the fact that various architectural features have been removed, destroyed, Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley or are no longer evident, the subject structure barely reflects a residential structure to identify as the former Mayor Eugene Woodfield’s residence. As such, the subject structure no longer retains the integrity of materials needed to convey its significance.

5. Workmanship: Refers to the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history or prehistory.

Some architectural features that identify the subject structure as a Queen Anne architectural style remain. These include the wood horizontal siding, angled and square bay windows, and double hung windows. However, they have been exposed to the weather, without repair, and have deteriorated beyond repair. Architectural detailing in the workmanship of the subject structure are no longer identifiable or salvageable. As such, the subject structure no longer retains the integrity of workmanship.

6. Feeling: Refers to a property’s expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time.

As previously evaluated in the HRE (Appendix 1), the subject structure was significant based on its collective contribution as a residential home associated with the Hercules Village. It was not able to communicate such significance in isolation. After its second relocation to the City’s Corporation Yard, the subject structure no longer retained the integrity of feeling as a contributor to the Hercules Village Historic District. Due to its state of deterioration and that various architectural features have been removed, destroyed, or are no longer evident, the subject structure barely reflects a residential structure to identify as the former Mayor Eugene Woodfield’s residence. As such, the subject structure no longer retains the integrity of feeling.

7. Association: Refers to the direct link between an important historic events or person and a historic property.

Similarly to the integrity of feeling, the integrity of association first related with the Hercules Village Historic District. The subject structure los t its integrity of association to the historic district after its second relocation to the City’s Corporation Yard. Within the HRE (Appendix 1), a second association of the subject structure was identified to the former Mayor Eugene Woodfield. As previously evaluated in 2018, building or structure removed from its original location, but which is primarily significant for architectural value, or which is the surviving structure most importantly associated with a historic person or event, may still be considered to retain integrity despite it s relocation. This is particularly true for resources which are relocated in an effort to avoid demolition or destruction. However, as of the site visit completed on August 7, 2024, the subject structure demonstrated deterioration beyond repair and relocation did not appear as a viable option with the subject structure’s current existing conditions. As such, the subject structure no longer retains the integrity of association to the Hercules Village Historic District or to the former Mayor Eugene Woodfield.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

8. APPLICATION OF CEQA
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Public Resources Code §21084.1 provides that any project that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment. Public Resources Code §5020.1(q) defines “substantial adverse change” as demolition, destruction, relocation or alteration such that the significance of the historical resource would be impaired. According to the Public Resources Code §5024.1, an historical resou rce is a resource that is listed in or determined to be eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources; included in a local register of historical resources; or is identified as significant in a historic resource survey if that survey meets specified criteria.

According to CEQA Guidelines §15064.5(a)(3), a lead agency can find a resource has been determined to be significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military or cultural annals of Calif ornia provided that the determination is supported by substantial evidence in light of the whole record.

Due to the loss of the subject structure’s overall integrity to convey its significance as first a contributing structure to the Hercules Village Historic District, and secondly as the residence of the former Mayor Eugene Woodfield, who served as mayor from 1962 to 1975 , the subject structure is no longer identified as a historic resource. Therefore, the application of CEQA pursuant to Guidelines §15064.5(a)(3), is no longer applicable.

9. RECOMMENDATIONS
The City of Hercules Community Development Department staff expressed the possibility of demolition to the subject structure if evaluated that the subject structure no longer retained integrity and therefore was not considered a historic resource. The integrity evaluation determination confirmed that due to a loss of integrity that the Queen Anne is no longer identified as a historic resource, it is recommended that the City of Hercules Community Development Department complete the following two recommendations prior to demolition. ❖ It is recommended that the California State Office of Historic Preservation is notified prior to the demolition of the subject structure, and presented with a copy of th e subject structure’s 2017 HRE and this integrity evaluation report.
❖ It is recommended that all records associated with the subject structure, including evaluations, Planning Department files, etc., are submitted and recorded with the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) for the record of the Hercules Village Historic District.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

10. CONCLUSION
Based on the Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation, the Hercules Powder Works Building 54, also referred to as the “Queen Anne,” (subject structure ), in the City of Hercules, no longer possess integrity to support its historical significance as a historic resource. It is the professional opinion of M -Group that (1) the subject structure no longer retains integrity to support its historic significance with its association with former mayor, Eugene Woodfield , (2) that the subject structure is therefore no longer eligible as a historic resources in the National Register of Historic Places, subsequently is no longer eligible as a historic resource within the California Reg ister of Historic Resources, and (3) no longer qualifies individually as a historical resource under CEQA Guidelines §15064.5(a)(3). It is also recommended that that the City of Hercules Community Development Department review and consider the t wo recommendations presented in this evaluation prior to demolition of the subject structure.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
California State Office of Historic Preservation. https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/ California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, March 1995. Available at: https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1054/files/manual95.pdf City of Hercules. Community Development Department. Planning Records.

McAlester, Virginia S. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York, NY; Alfred A. Knopf, 2013.

National Archives Catalog. California SP Hercules Village. Available at:
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123858536
National Park Service. Heritage Documentation Programs – Historic American Building Survey (HABS).

Available at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/heritagedocumentation/guidelines.htm National Parks Service, National Register of Historic Places. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP.

U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Cultural Resources. How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. Available at:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB-15_web508.pdf

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX I
Historic Resource Evaluation & Environmental Documentation, dated January 5, 2017 Provided in the following page.

The rest of this page is left blank intentionally.

m-group a new design on urban planning
policy planning  urban design  environmental review  historic preservation  community engagement  staffing solutions

February 22, 2018

Holly Smyth, Planning Director
City of Hercules
11 Civic Drive
Hercules, CA 94547

RE: Historic Resource Evaluation
The “Queen Anne House”
Hercules, CA

The attached Historic Resource Evaluation (HRE) and environmental documentation has been prepared for the “Queen Anne House.” The “Queen Anne House” is identified as a contributor to the “Hercules Village” Historic District — a worker village associated with the Hercules Powder Company— which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NR8000079). Since District listing in 1980, the house has been re-located twi ce and is presently located in the c ity-owned Corporate Yard, approximately one -half mile from its original location and outside of the District boundaries. The house has also been separated in to two pieces. A proposal is underway to re-locate the subject house once again and rehabilitate the building for continued use. This Historic Resource Evaluation has been prepared to confirm the type of significance, determine the level of integrity that remains, and to inform the requisite CEQA review.

The findings of the evaluation confirm that the “Queen Anne House” is significant at the state level as a contributor to the Hercules Village Historic District and also individually significant based on its association with former Hercules mayor, Eugene Woodfield . Given that the resource has been removed from the original setting and removed from its former associations, it no longer retains the ability to convey its significance associated with the Hercules Village. H owever, the resource does retain the ability to convey significance associated with former mayor, Eugene Woodfield , who played a significant role in the recent development of the City of Hercules .

Please do not hesitate to contact me at (707) 259-1790 with any questions related to the review or if clarification would be helpful.

Sincerely,

Heather Hines Lilly Bianco, MHP M-Group | Principal M-Group | Preservation Specialist

The Queen Anne House

Historic Resource
Evaluation
City of Hercules, CA
January 5 , 2017

Prepared by
m-group
1303 Jefferson Street, Suite 100-B
Napa, CA 94559

Historic Resource Evaluation 3 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA

1. Purpose
The City of Hercules has requested that M -Group provide the appropriate level of environmental documentation needed to comply with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and facilitate the re-location of the “Queen Anne House ,” a historic residential building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and identified as a historic resource in the General Plan.

The Queen Anne House is listed as a contributor to the “Hercules Village” Historic District (Building No.54). The Hercules Village was associated with the Hercules Powder Company, which came to be one of the most significant explosives and chemical factories in the west. The factory comprised nine square mil es of the Refugio Creek watershed, with two piers extending to the San Pablo Bay and an extensive internal railroad system powered by compressed -air locomotives.

The explosives plant operated from the late 1890s into the 1940s after which time it diversified to also manufacture fertilizer. Beginning in 1972 , the former plant was subdivided and transformed into residential suburbs. Today approximately 34 buildings associated with the former use are still intact. According to the National Register nomination , the District is significant as one of th e last company towns in America and a s a contributor to the Historic District, the Queen Anne’s significance associated with the former plant is largely reliant on the ability to interpret what remains of the cohesiveness of original village fabric.

At present, the Queen Anne house is located in the City’s Corp Yard, approximately one -half mile from its original location. The project proposal involves a request to re -locate and rehabilitate the subject house. The final destination is not known at this time , but it is understood that the final destination will most likely be outside of the Hercules City limits. The subject building is listed on the National Register and by default, the Califo rnia Register, and therefore any activities that could adversely affect its integrity are subject to CEQA review.

2. Methodology
M-Group used a systematic approach to perform the Historic Resource Evaluation. Our approach included review of archival information for the subject property , review of records available at the Contra Costa Historical Society , Pleasant Hill Library, as well as additional online resources including the California Digital Newspaper Collection. The evaluation was further informed by a great deal of email and phone communication with members of the Hercules Historic Society. Finally, a field survey was undertaken by M -Group Preservation Specialist, Lilly Bianco on November 30th, 2017 to evaluate the level of integrity that remains and obtain a more clear understanding of how the proposed relocation may impact the subject resource.

The evaluation focuse s on the identification of areas of significance, essential character defining features important for conveying the propert y’s significance, the role the property played in the larger context of the District and the City of Hercules , and an assessment of the extent to which

Historic Resource Evaluation 4 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
those essential features have or have not been retained. This evaluation concludes with an abbreviated discussion of potential environmental impacts, as needed to inform the CEQA Analysis.

3. Summary of findings
The following Evaluation performed for the subject property confirms that the “Queen Anne” House is significant as a contributor to the Hercules Village. However, its relocation to an a rea outside of the District and disassociation from what is left of the “worker village” eliminates its ability to convey its significance as part of the former Hercules P owder Company and precludes it from serving as a contributor to the Historic District.

However, review of the “Queen Anne’s” architectural merit and occupant history indicates that it is significant at the individual level in accordance with CRHR Criterion 2 based on its as sociation with former Hercules m ayor, Eugene Woodfield, who served as mayor from 1962 to 1975. m ayor Woodfield was instrumental in the creation of the City’s first General Plan in 1972 and in developing the blueprint for modern Hercules. In its current location, within the boundaries of the City, the “Queen Anne” House is able to convey its significance based on its association with former mayor, Eugene Woodfield and his political contributions and while it exhibits a seriously degraded condition, it retains historic integrity.

In its present state the subject house is particularly vulnerable to demolition by neglect. Given it’ s vulnerable state and in the absence of other options to preserve in place or relocate to another location within the City limits, the proposed rehabilitation consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards (SOIS) and re location to an alternative location would be an appropriate treatment and would not constitute an adverse impact to an identified historic resource as the residence would continue to be eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources despite its relocation.

4. Historic Context.

Hercules Powder Company
The Hercules Powder Company—an outgrowth of the California Powder Works founded in 1861 in Santa Cruz, California — grew to be one of the most significant explosives and chemical plants in the west. At its height t he factory comprised nine square miles of the Refugio Creek watershed and employed approximately 300 workers.

In 1867, swede, Alfred Nobel , invented dynamite and it quickly became the explosive of choice for mining and tunneling in hard rock. In response to these new innovations and in 1879, the California Powder Works acquired 44.94 acres of land midway between Pinole and Rodeo where they established a plant. In 1881, The Powder Works began manufacturing “Hercules powder” — an explosive comprised of nitroglycerine absorbed in magnesium carbonate .

Historic Resource Evaluation 5 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
As activities continued to ramp up and the operation grew, the management identified a need for improved governance and incorporated as a City o n December 15, 1900. Not long thereafter, in 1903 the DuPont Family ( One of California Powder Works largest stock holders) acquired the company, but by 1912 was ordered by judicial decree to dissolve the company due to DuPont’s violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act. This resulted in the California Powder Works being divided into two distinct companies, one of which was the Hercules Powder Company.

The Hercules Powder Company went on to produce not just dynamite, but also black po wder and TNT. In the 1940s, the plant diversified and began manufacturing fertilizers that included methanol , formaldehyde, and urea formaldehyde. The plant officially closed in 1976 due to overseas competition. Even before that, in 1972, portions of the operations had already been sold off to developers for subdivision and to be transformed into residential su burbs. The plant was dismantled and today 34 buildings and structures associated with the former use remain.

Worker Village
To reconcile the need for workers with the isolated location of the plant and rental shortages in Pinole, the California Powder Works, and later, Hercules Powder Company , went about constructing their own housing to accommodate their workforce. The construction of the workforce housing took place over several decades and coincided with fluctuations in worker demand. Each phase of development exhibits a relatively distinct architectural style reflective of the era in which it was built.

The configuration of the plant was such that the manufacturing and operations were located clo sest to the Bay , with the “village” and workforce housing located in a relatively protected area removed from the manufacturing area and shielded by a hill.

The first homes were built as simple Queen Anne cottages. Later, in the early 1900s, a series of colonial revival homes were constructed a long Bay, Hercules, Park, Pinole and Santa Fe streets and in 1915, and coinciding with growth of the Company and introduction of a new TNT plant , duplexes were constructed on Hercules and Bay Streets.

In th e interve ning years between WWI and WWII , t he Company town exhibited the largest population of com pany towns located in the East B ay— a guide to 1930’s California, listed it’s population as 392, while the populations of other company towns did not exceed 220 residents. 1 Later on, and i n anticipation of increased demand for munitions just be fore WWII, a number of US Government funded homes were commissioned, but were not actually completed until after the wars end. The final phase of work force housing, a series of WWII era homes , was constructed on Skelly, Durham, and Bacchus streets. 2
Following the end of WWII, the need for worker housing had diminished along with the demand for explosives and in an effort to limit hazards associated with vacant homes, the company demolished

1 Cori Ojala and Kevin McGrath, Remembering Days Past, Hercules, CA 1879- 1987. 4 2 Cori Ojala and Kevin McGrath, Remembering Days Past, Hercules, CA 1879- 1987. 4

Historic Resource Evaluation 6 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
Figure 1 2 Kings Avenue. Photo Courtesy of
HHS
a number of unused structures. In 1980 , 36 buildings associated with the former Powder Works operations remained and were distributed among “The Hill,” “The Village” and on the “Acid Wharf ”.

In August of 1980, the remaining resources were listed as contributors to the “Hercules Village” National Register Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The worker housing that remained and was in restorable condition , included 20 Queen Anne and Colonial Revival Style homes dating to the turn of the Century , were restored by Aegis Corporation.

In October of 1980, 13 of the homes were moved from adjacent streets and re -located to be concentrated on Bay and Pinole streets with s even other historic worker home s remaining in their original location to form a cluster of former worker homes . The December 1981 Herculean described the plans for the District, as follows:
“The developer has plans to make the streetscape similar to that of the turn of the century when the homes were built. Upon approval of the Hercules Municipal Hist oric District Board (the City Council members), the developers will paint the homes to reflect their design. The colors will be muted and an overall color scheme will be used for the whole area. Doors, windows and decorative touches will be accented with colors complementing the main body of the houses. The interiors will reflect the era of the homes.” Restoration and relocation activities were completed in 1984. The Street remained in its original width of 25 feet and each home features a brass plaque by the front door communicating its national register status
Queen Anne House
Constructed in approximately 1905 and originally
located at 2 King s Avenue3, immediately northwest
of the “Clubhouse building” 4, the “Queen Anne
House” housed senior plant personnel and later
served office functions. It was constructed on the
ridge, above the plant operations in an area known
as “the Hill .” “The Hill” was comprised of a complex
of administrative, technical, and social buildings
that included the White Columns, the
superintendent’s mansion, a men’s clubhouse, and
Quinan Hall, a bachelor quarters and social hall, as

3 (Referred to as Building no. 54 by Hercules Powder Company 4 (Referred to as Building 8103 by Hercules Powder Company

Historic Resource Evaluation 7 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
well as, a post office, dining hall, and kindergarten. 5 This area was distinct from “the v illage” located below the ridge , which consisted of approximately 100 company-built worker homes . At its height, the Hercules Powder Company Village included approximately 100 worker homes.

Data regarding previous tenants of 2 Kings
Avenue is very limited. However, a vailable
records6 indicate that in the 1920s the Robinson
Family, Jovita and Ralph Robinson, along with
daughters, Anita, Eleanor, and Ruth occupied the
house, about whom not much can be discovered .

Later, plant engineer, George Appleton resided at
2 Kings Avenue, followed by plant engineer and
former mayor, Eugene Woodfield and his family.

Eugene (Gene) Woodfield served as mayor of
Hercules from 1962 -1975 which , based on
available records on file at the Hercules Historical
Society and personal accounts, appears to have
overlapped with his time living at 2 Kings Avenue;
he passed away in January 17, 1978 due to heart
problems. In a February 1978 city newsletter,
Woodfield is remembered as being instrumental
in the development of the 1972 General Plan
which is the blueprint for the current design of
the City. The City’s f irst park, as well as a street,
was later dedicated in his name.

Available records indicate that, William Thatcher,
a former Hercules employee and watchman f or
Valley Nitrogen Producers (which Succeeded Hercules Inc.) was the home’s final occupant.7 Personal accounts of the neighborhood written by the former resident of 6 Kings Avenue, E.M Fawcett, detailed a very neighborly environment where residents often held get -togethers on the lawn and which was a great place to raise children.

On August 22, 1980, The National Park Service placed the “Queen Anne House,” along with 35 other buildings and structures associated with the Powder Company operations on the Nation al Register of Historic Places. The “Queen Anne House ” is denoted as Building No. 54 in the Hercules Village National Register Nomination (No. 80000799).

5 Posedel, Images of America, 79
6 Available records that detail occupant history include photograph captions included in “ Images of America:

Hercules” and through personal accounts on file at the Hercules Historical Society. 7 Posedel, Images of America, 87
Figure 2 Queen Anne House, undated. Image courtesy of
HHS

Historic Resource Evaluation 8 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
By 1984 the house was already described as being in a compromised condition. A building survey conducted at this time indicates that, “brick foundations a re cracked and have settled. Front stairs are in a state of collapse. Roofing and sheet metal need replacement. Siding appears to be intact.” 8 In 2002 and in preparation for site grading associated with a proposed new development , the Bixby Company removed the subject house from its foundation and relocated it approximately 100 feet west of its original site , but still within the boundaries of the Hercules Village Historic District . Later, in 2010 the City of Hercules acquired the house from its then owner, Oso Trabuco, cut it in half to allow for transport, and relocated it to the City’s c orporation yard, near Willett Street and Sycamore Streets, approximately ½ mile from its original location and outside the boundaries of the District.

Today, the Ho use remains on the City’s corp oration yard and although partially secured, its condition continues to deteriorate.

5. Architectural Description
The Queen Anne House, presently located in the city’s corporate yard was built circa 1905 . It is a one-story over raised basement, single family residence, desi gned in the Queen Anne cottage style.

The building is rectangular in plan , clad with channel wood siding, and capped with a cross gabled , asphalt shingle roof. The former foundation appears to have been a brick foundation; although the residence has since been removed from its foundation. The primary entry features a partial, recessed porch supported by turned posts and was originally accessed by wood stairs, which are no longer intact. The entrance is centered and to the left of it is an angled bay window with gabled roof. The house is punctuated with simple double hung wood windows. Detailing on the house is relatively muted with the only embellishments being the fish scale shingles adorning the gable front of the cutaway bay and spindle work on the porch supports.

Character Defining Features
 One- story height
 Cross gable roof
 Partial porch
 Angled and square bay windows
 Double hung windows
 Variation in siding materials
 Spindle work

6. Significance
Eligibility for listing on the California Register and/or National Register is determined based on how well a given property meets one or more of the following criteria. It is not required that all four criteria are met for a resource to be considered significant. The applicable criteria are listed below

8 City of Hercules- Waterfront Park Study, Residence- 2 King Street. On file at the Hercules Historical Society.

Historic Resource Evaluation 9 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
with the analysis listed in italic typeface, below. Note that Criterion 1 -4 refers to the California Register of Historic Places and Criterion A-D refers to the National Register of Historic Places.

Criterion 1/A Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the United States.

As detailed above, the Queen Anne House served as one of the first worker homes constructed to house employees of the California Powder Works and what would later become the Hercules Powder Company. The company village, that included homes and supporting u ses including the clubhouse, etc, were an integral component of the plant operation. The Hercules Powder Company became one of the largest explosives plants in the United States. While the plant itself has since been dismantle, the remaining buildings and residential structures and their spatial organization serve as valuable reminders of this important time in not only California history, but also national history and trends. Taken together with the other remaining buildings and residences, the Queen Anne House is an important rem nant of that historical period and is significant under Criterion 1/A as a contributor the Hercules Village National Register District. The homes and remnants are only significant under this criterion as a collective whole given t hat on an individual basis they are unable to communicate the significance or associations of the worker village, but as a collective whole, they can be understood and interpreted.

Criterion 2/B Associated with the lives of persons important to local, Cal ifornia or national history.

This criterion applies to properties associated with individuals whose specific contributions to history can be identified and documented. Persons "significant in our past" refers to individuals whose activities are demonstrably important within a local, State, or natio nal historic context. The criterion is generally restricted to those properties that illustrate (rather than commemorate) a person's important achievements. Properties associated with living persons are usually not eligible for inclusion in the California or National Register.

A literature search and considerable amount of coor dination between the author and the Hercules Historical Society did indicate that in the 1920’s, the Robinson Family, Jovita and Ralph Robinson, along with daughters, Anita, Eleanor, and Ruth occupied the house. Later, plant engineer Eugene Woodfield and his family occupied the home . Woodfield served as mayor from 1962-1975. William Thatcher, a former Hercules employee and watchman for Valley Nitrogen Producers (which succeeded Hercules Inc. was the homes final occupant). 9 Of those tenants, Eugene (Gene) Woodfield appears to be the only one wi th demonstrable contributions to history, namely, he was instrumental in crafting the City’s first General Plan and creating a blueprint for how the City would evolve following the closure of the Hercules Plant ( by

9 Posedel, Images of America. 87

Historic Resource Evaluation 10 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
then operated by Valley Nitrogen Producers) and into the next era. After his death in 1978, the City honored him by dedicating the City’s first park and a street in his name. Accordingly, the subject residence does exhibit local significance based on its association with Eugene Woodfield who was demonstrably important in terms of local history and the Queen Anne House serves as the best representation of his productive life.

Criterion 3/C Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region or method of construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values The Queen Anne House was constructed in the Queen Anne cottage style and while representative of that style, does not contain a level of detail or characteristics of that style to be significant merely based on architectural merit. As such, the Queen Anne House is not individually significant under Criterion 3/C.

Criterion 4/D Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California or the nation Under this criterion a property is eligible if it has been used as a source of data and contains more, as yet retrieved data. A property is also eligible if it has not yet yielded information but, through testing or research, is determine d a likely source of data. The Queen Anne House does not constitute the principal source of information, for which to deem it eligible under this criterion. As such, there is no indication that the property would be significant based on the fact that it ha s yielded or is it expected to yield information important to the prehistory or history of California or the nation.

7. Integrity
Historic Resources deemed to be significant must also be able to convey their historic significance.

The ability to do this is judged by how well the resource meets the seven aspects of integrity:

Location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. However, the individual nature of the property and its particular significance may result in certain aspects holding more weight than others. It is not required that a property retains all of its historic physical features or characteristics, rather a property must retain at the very least, those essential features which allow it to convey its significance. The essential features are those that define (1) why a property is significant and (2) when it was significant.

1. Location: Refers to the building’s original geographical location.

2. Design: Design refers to the organization of space, proportion, scale, technology, ornamentation and materials used. Design is reflective of function, technology and aesthetic trends of a respective time period. In order for integrity of design to be retained the resource should retain the original structural systems, massing, spatial arrangement, texture

Historic Resource Evaluation 11 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
and color of materials, detailing and arrangement and type of vegetation or, at the least, a majority of those elements.

3. Setting: Setting refers to the character of the place in which the property played its historical role. Setting often reflects the basic physical conditions under which a property was built and the functions it was intended to serve.

4. Materials: Materials are the physical elements that were combined in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property. The choice and combination of materials reveal the preferences of those who created the property and indicate the availa bility of particular types of materials and technologies. In order to retain integrity a property should retain the key exterior materials dating to the period of significance.

5. Workmanship: Workmanship is important because it can furnish evidence of the t echnology of a craft, illustrate the aesthetic principles of a historic or prehistoric period, and reveal individual, local, regional, or national applications of both technological practices and aesthetic principles.

6. Feeling: Feeling is a property's expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time. It results from the presence of physical features that, taken together, convey the property's historic character.

7. Association: Association is the direct link between an importan t historic event or person and a historic property. A property retains association if it is the place where the event or activity occurred and is sufficiently intact to convey that relationship to an observer.

The essential aspects that must be retained to convey the significance of the Queen Anne House as a contributor to the Hercules Village Historic District include location, design, feeling, and association. Originally, the subject residence was located directly behind the Powder Company Clubhouse, and clustered with other worker housing meant for upper level management. The relocation of the house to the City’s corporate yard and outside of the District effectively severed the historic relationship the home shared with the Powder Company operation and employee village.

Given that the Queen Anne House is significant based on its collective contribution as a residential home associated with the Hercules Village, it is not able to communicate such significance in isolation and would not be able to cite thi s criteria consideration. In its present state, the Queen Anne House retains integrity of design, materials, and workmanship, but has lost integrity of location, feeling, and association. Given that the latter three aspects are most important for the Queen Anne House to convey significance as a contributor to the District, the loss of those aspects has resulted in the resource losing integrity as a contributor to the Hercules Village.

Historic Resource Evaluation 12 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
While the subject building does not retain integrity based on its association with the Hercules Powder Company, it does retain enough integrity to convey its signi ficant association with former mayor, Eugene Woodfield. A building or structure removed from its original location but which is primarily significant for archi tectural value, or which is the surviving structure most importantly associated with a historic pe rson or event , may still be considered to retain integrity despite its relocation. This is particularly true for resources which are relocated in an effort to avoid demolition or destruction.

As detailed in this report, not only is the building significant based on its association with Hercules Powder Company, but is also determined to be individually significant based on its association with former mayor, Eug ene Woodfield, who was instrumental in shaping modern Hercules following the closure of the explosive s/chemical plant. The house has been moved one -half mile from its original site, but because it is still located in a similar area and because it’s signifi cance is derived from its association with former mayor and not strictly tied to its location, it retains integrity as an individually significant resource associated with an a person demonstrably important in local history.

8. CEQA Determination
Pursuant to CEQA Section 15064.5, a historical resource is one which generally meets the criteria for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR) or is otherwise a locally listed resource. Resources listed on the National Register of Hi storic Places are, by default, included on the CRHR. To qualify as a historical resource, a building must be both significant and retain a level of integrity to be able to convey that significance.

As detailed herein, t he Queen Anne House is significant both as part of a District and individually; however, it only retains enough integrity to convey its individual significance. This evaluation confirmed that the Queen Anne House is a significant resource based on its association with the Hercules Powder Co mpany and as a representative of one of the last remain ing company towns in California; nevertheless, it’s integrity and the ability to convey that significance relies on the cohesion and collection of buildings and ability to interpret their relationship and organization. The 2010 relocation of the Queen Anne House to an area removed from the other remaining Powder Company residential buildings and outside the boundaries of the District prevents the subject building from being able to convey its significan ce as part of the larger company town and eliminated its integrity. As a result, th e Queen Anne House is no longer serves a contributor to the District.

While the Queen Anne House does not retain historic integrity as a contributor to the Hercules Village Historic District it does retain integrity as an individual resource associated with a locally significant person. Former m ayor Eugene Woodfield was instrumental in guiding the evolution of Hercules into the 21st century. Because the ability to interpret a building’s significant association with an important person is less tied to the location and setting and more reliant on design,

Historic Resource Evaluation 13 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA
workmanship, feeling, association, the property continues to retain enough integrity to convey its significance despite its previous relocation.

As discussed under California Office of Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Series #6, u nder most scenarios, the relocation of a historic resource , as is proposed under this project, would not be a preferred treatment; however, when undertaken in an effort to avoid demolition or destruction of the resource, it may be appropriate and the resource may remain on (or eligible for) the California Register of Historic Resources insofar as the resource is rehabilitated and maintained con sistent with the SOIS, is re-located in a compatible area, and its significance is able to be interpreted.

Proposed activities, including relocation of the “Queen Anne House” to a vacant residential lot outside of the Hercules Village Historic District and rehabilitation of the residence , would therefore be exempt pursuant to CEQA Exemption 15301 which exempts the rehabilitation of damaged structures to meet current standards of public health and safety, as well, as the removal of individual small struc tures including single family residences. It would also be exempt pursuant to CEQA Exemption 15331, which exempts projects which maintain , repair, stabiliz e, rehabilitat e, restore, preserv e, conserv e or reconstruct a historical resource in a manner consist ent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards . Last , the proposed project is not located in a sensitive environment, would not generate cumulative impacts , there is no reasonable possibility that it would have a significant effects, is no located prox imate to a scenic highway, or o n a site with hazardous waste, and based on th e reasons enumerated above, would not cause a substantial adverse to a historical resource.

Historic Resource Evaluation 14 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA

REFERENCES
Online Resources
Jennifer Posedel. “The Company Town of Hercules, Sept. 5, 2011.” http://herculeshistory.org/tag/hercules-powder-co/, Accessed Dec 8, 2017 Published Work,
Hittell, John Shertzer. The Commerce and Industries of the Pacific Coast of North America: Comprising the Rise, Progress, Products, Present Condition, and Prospects of the Useful Arts on the Western Side of Our Continent, and Some Account of Its Resources, with Elaborate Treatment of Manufactures; Briefer Consideration of Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, and Mining; and Mention of Leading Establishments and Prominent Men in Various Departments of Business. A.L Bancroft Company, 1882.

Morton, W. Brown Ill; Hume, Gary L; Weeks, Ka y D; Jandl, H. Ward, Revised by Anne E Grimer. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior. 2017.

Ojala, Cori and Kevin McGrath. Remembering Days Past, Hercules, CA 1879- 1987.

Posedel, Jennifer and Stephen Lauton with the Hercules Historical Society. Images of America:

Hercules. Arcadia Publishing: Charleston, SC. 2011

Public Records
West County Times: Oct 25, 1987; Oct 9, 1989; Feb 27, 1988; Feb 10, 1990;Dec 7, 1993.

Hercules Village National Register Nomination, NO. 80000799, 1980.

Contra Costa History Center Archives
Hercules Historical Society archives
Personal Correspondence
Victor Carniglia, in person meeting, November 30, 2017
Stephen Lawton, Hercules Historic al Society, Email Correspondence, December 5, 11,12,13,14,15 2017.

Historic Resource Evaluation 15 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA

QUALIFICATIONS

Lilly Bianco of M -Group performed the Historic Resource Evaluation for the Hercules “ Queen Anne” House . Ms. Bianco holds a Masters in Historic Preservation and is a qualified Architectural Historian pursuant to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61. Ms. Bianco is listed as an Architectural Historian on the C alifornia Historic Resources Information Systems list of qualified consultants.

M-Group Principal, Heather Hines, oversaw the evaluation. Heather Hines is a qualified Architectural Historian pursuant to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and as def ined in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61. Ms. Hines holds a Masters in Urban Planning and Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation. She has 14 years of experience in the fields of historic preservation and urban planning and is listed a s an Architectural Historian on the California Historic Resources Information Systems list of qualified consultants.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Site Photos

Attachment 1
Historic Resource Evaluation 16 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA

Front Façade , November 2017.

Side Elevation , November 2017.

Attachment 1
Historic Resource Evaluation 17 Queen Anne House- Hercules, CA

Rear Elevation, November 2017
Front Façade , November 2017.

State of California  The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date

P1. Other Identifier: Hercules Village Historic District Building No. 54 *P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County: Contra Costa County and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Date: T ; R ; ¼ of ¼ of Sec ; M.D. B.M. c. Address: City of Hercules Corporate Yard City: Hercules Zip: 94547 d. UTM: Zone: 10 ; mE/ mN (G.P.S.)
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) Elevation:

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) The Queen Anne House, presently located in the city’s corporate yard was built circa 1905. It is(was) a one-story over raised basement, single family residence, designed in the Queen Anne cottage style. The building is rectangular in plan, clad with channel wood siding, and capped with a cross gabled, asphalt shingle roof. The former foundation appears to have been a brick foundation; although the residence has since been removed from its foundation. The primary entry features a partial, recessed porch supported by turned posts and was originally accessed by wood stairs, which are no longer intact. The entrance is centered and to the left of it is an angled bay window with gabled roof. The house is punctuated with simple double hung wood windows.

Detailing on the house is relatively muted with the only embellishments being the fish scale shingles adorning the gable front of the cutaway bay and spindle work on the porch supports.

Character Defining Features: One- story height,Cross gable roof, Partial porch, Angled and square bay windows,Double hung windows, Variation in siding materials, Spindle work.

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 ( Single Family Home) *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.)

P5b. Façade, November 30,2017

*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Sources: Historic
Prehistoric Both
1905, estimate based on available
records at Hercules Historical Society.

*P7. Owner and Address:

City of Hercules
111 Civic Drive,
Hercules California 94547

*P8. Recorded by
Lilly Bianco
M-Group
1303 Jefferson St. Suite 100-B
Napa, CA 94558

*P9. Date Recorded: 11.30.17

*P10. Survey Type:

Intensive

*P11. Report Citation: The Queen
Anne House, Historic Resource
Evaluation, City of Hercules CA, January 19, 2018 Prepared by M- Group.

*Attachments: NONE  Location Map  Sketch M ap  Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record  District Record  Linear Feature Record  Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record  Other (List):

DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
P5a. Photo or Drawing (Photo required for buildings, structures, and objects.)

*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 421 Walnut *NRHP Status Code 5S1

DPR 523B (9/2013) *Required information
State of California  The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#

BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
(This space reserved for official comments.)
(Sketch Map with

B1. Historic Name: Hercules Village Building no.34
B2. Common Name: Hercules Queen Anne
B3. Original Use: Single Family Residence B4. Present Use: None *B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne Cottage
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) 1905- Constructed
2002- Home removed from foundation and relocated approximately 100 feet west of original location
2010 – Cut in half, and relocated to City of Hercules Corporate Yard near Willet and Sycamore Streets and approximately ½ mile from its original location

*B7. Moved? No X Yes Unknown Date: 2002, 2010 Original Location: 2 Kings Avenue *B8. Related Features: None

B9a. Architect: N/A b. Builder:
*B10. Significance: Theme Industry; City planning Area Hercules

Period of Significance 1905-1972; 1962-1975 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria 1,2 (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)

The Queen Anne House is significant under Citerion 1, in that it served as one of the first worker homes constructed to house employees of the California Powder Works and what would later become the Hercules Powder Company. The company village, that included homes and supporting uses including the clubhouse, etc, were an integral component of the plant operation. Continued on Page 3.

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)

*B12. References:

B13. Remarks:

*B14. Evaluator: Lilly Bianco, M-Group
*Date of Evaluation: 01.11.2018
N
age of *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) *Recorded by: *Date  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (9/2013
State of California - The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial

CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: Hercules Queen Anne ________________________________________________________ Page ___ of _____

Continued from Page 2, B10, Significance:

The Queen Anne House is significant under CRHR Criterion 1 given that it served as one of the first worker homes constructed to house employees of the California Powder Works and what would later become the Hercules Powder Company. The company village, that included homes and supporting uses including the clubhouse, etc, were a n integral component of the plant operation. The Hercules Powder Company became one of the largest explosives plants in the United States. While the plant itself has since been dismantled the remaining buildings and residential structures and their spatial organization serve as valuable reminders of this important time in not only California history, but also national history and trends. Taken together with the other remaining buildings and residences, the Queen Anne House is an important remnant of that h istorical period and is significant under Criterion 1/A as a contributor the Hercules Village National Register District. The homes and remnants are only significant under this criterion as a collective whole given that on an individual basis they are unab le to communicate the significance or associations of the worker village, but as a collective whole, they can be understood and interpreted.

The Queen Anne House is further significant under CRHR Criterion 2 , based on its association with plant engineer and former Hercules Mayor, Eugene (Gene) Woodfield. According to available records, Eugene Woodfield served as mayor from 1962 to 1975 and resided at the subject house during that time.

Eugene (Gene) Woodfield was instrumental in crafting the City’s first G eneral Plan and creating a blueprint for how the City would evolve following the closure of the Hercules Plant ( by then operated by Valley Nitrogen Producers) and into the next era. After his death in 1978, the City honored him by dedicating the City’s first park and a street in his name. The subject residence exhibits local significance based on its association with Eugene Woodfield who was demonstrably important in terms of local history and given that the the Queen Anne House serves as the best represen tation of his productive life.

Continued from Page 2, B12, References:

Online Resources
Jennifer Posedel. “The Company Town of Hercules, Sept. 5, 2011.” http://herculeshistory.org/tag/hercules-powder-co/, Accessed Dec 8, 2017 Published Work,

age of *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) *Recorded by: *Date  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (9/2013
State of California - The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial

CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: Hercules Queen Anne ________________________________________________________ Page ___ of _____
Hittell, John Shertzer. The Commerce and Industries of the Pacific Coast of North America: Comprising the Rise, Progress, Products, Present Condition, and Prospects of the Useful Arts on the Western Side of Our Continent, and Some Account of Its Resources, with Elaborate Treatment of Manufactures; Briefer Consideration of Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, and Mining; and Mention of Leading Establishments and Prominent Men in Various Departments o f Business. A.L Bancroft Company, 1882.

Morton, W. Brown Ill; Hume, Gary L; Weeks, Kay D; Jandl, H. Ward, Revised by Anne E Grimer. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior. 2017.

Ojala, Cori and Kevin McGrath. Remembering Days Past, Hercules, CA 1879- 1987.

Posedel, Jennifer and Stephen Lauton with the Hercules Historical Society. Images of America: Hercules.

Arcadia Publishing: Charleston, SC. 2011

Public Records
West County Times: Oct 25, 1987; Oct 9, 1989; Feb 27, 1988; Feb 10, 1990;Dec 7, 1993.

Hercules Village National Register Nomination, NO. 80000799, 1980.

Contra Costa History Center Archives
Hercules Historical Society archives
Personal Correspondence
Victor Carniglia, in person meeting, November 30, 2017
Stephen Lawton, Hercules Historical Society, Email Correspondence, December 5,11,12,13,14,15 2017.

ABOUT HERCULES POWDER WORKS BUILDING 54 Built in about 1905, Building 54 is a two-story, wood frame residential building, originally with a brick foundation and basement. Its architecture is in the Queen Anne style. Building 54 was used as housing, probably for a company official, and later for office functions. Its original address was 2 Kings Street, a site just northwest of Building 8103, the “Clubhouse”. It was part of the complex of administrative, technical and social buildings known as “The Hill”. Building 54 is one of the thirty-six buildings identified as comprising the plant village of the Hercules Powder Company. This and the other remaining listed buildings are historically significant because they comprise the only remaining example of a company town of an explosives plant in the United States. The City of Hercules, the State of California and the Department of Interior of the United States recognize the building as a historic resource. These buildings were placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 22, 1980. This decision, taken by the Secretary of the Interior of the United States, required a finding and nomination by the California State Historic Preservation Officer. In addition, the City of Hercules took subsequent official actions to recognize and protect the historic resources, such as this building, within its adopted General Plan and Zoning Ordinance. In 2002, to accommodate site grading, the Bixby Company removed Building 54 from its foundation and relocated it about one hundred feet west of its original site. In 2010, the City of Hercules acquired Building 54 from Oso Trabuco, its owner, and moved it about a half mile south to City property. This relocation required cutting the building in two. [Jii~ [!~!!~E!~oi!~!
HERCULES, CALIFORNIA 94547
PHONE: 758-4880
FEBRUARY, 1978

HERCULES POLICE UNIT FORMS
Steps have been taken to organize a full-time, full-service police unit'for the City of Hercules beginning with the appoint­ ment of Russell S. Quinn as Director of Public Safety Services.

Quinn, 36, is a veteran police careerist having served the Ventura, California Department, Naval Intelligence and other police­ related organizations. He teache$ police science in Alameda.

His duties will include responsibility for all city programs re­ lated to public safety such as burglary protection, fire safety, medical alert, etc. With his wife, Marion, and three boys, he hopes to make Hercules his home in July .

Recruitment procedures have been completed for five police officers; three of whom will be entering the Police Academy at Los Medanos Community College. They are Arthur Shields, 30; Tom Muehleisen, 27; and Alona Payne, 28. After complet­ ing the Academy, they will be on temporary assignment with ~-- ~-rrrePi:ITOle- rotiavepartn'Ie11lfot furthertTainin-g-!JefoTea:ssum"­ ing duties in Hercules. A fourth officer is Jeff Lastusky, who just finished in the upper quartile of the Academy and is now undergoing training with the Pinole Department. The fifth mem­ ber of the team is Lester Wasco, 37, who is currently a San Francisco police officer and will be joining the unit as supervisor on June 1. The Department is expected to be fully operational by July 1. r
Shields and Wasco are residents of Hercules.

More than 400 applications were received-a measure of
the desirability of Hercules.

The underlying concept of the Hercules Police Unit will be to bring the police back to the people. More time will be spent on the sidewalks, in the schools and parks, meeting with the citizens groups and, by invitation, in the homes meeting resi­ dents, getting to know the kids and trying to solve inter-personal problems before they become crisis. The officers will be fully equipped to handle emergencies and will be distinctively uni­ formed , but the more threatening appearance and attitude of "cop" will be moderated.

A Police Reserve unit is also being organized which will be trained, equipped and uniformed to ride with regular officers as back-up, cover special events, etc., on a part-time basis. If you are interested call Director Quinn at 7584881.

FLOWER POWER SEWAGE PLANT (cont'd)
digester to generate methane gas wl).ich can generate electricity to operate the plant. Ozone will be used as a sterilizing agent as the sewage is introduced into the plant. Ozone leaves no residual and is completely neutral.

The techniques employed have been known for thousands of years but only recently understood . Much of the technology is a result of studies and demonstrations performed by EPA and NASA, but it is believed that the Hercules plant will be the first "City-size" installation of its kind, anywhere.

Designs are underway and it is hoped to begin construction in late June with the plant on-line in December or January.

If you are interested in reading more about this unusual and pioneering project, loan copies of studies and reports are available at City Hall, 758-4880.
-eOME-'ftT THE "H(){)Pl:;X--'1 ~ - -------
The Hercules City Council and staff has challenged the Pinole City Council and staff to a basketball game dubbed the "Hoopla".

The respective Councils have often been at odds over service con­ tracts, truck routes, zoning and other matters but personal rela­ tionships have always been congenial. To demonstrate their spirit of friendly antagonism, they face off on the court at the Pinole Valley High School on Saturday, February 18 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are only $1 .00 for adults and 50 cents for kids under twelve.

All proceeds go to the Carquinez Coalition, an area organization performing some badly needed social services for the aged and disadvantaged.

Both sides are secretly planning antics on and off the court and it all shapes up to be a real fun evening. Why not show up with all the family to see your Council people and staff make fools of themselves other than in the City Hall? There will be a drawing, too! Tickets are available at either City Hall or by calling 758-4880.

SOLAR COMMUNITY CENTER?
An application is being prepared to the Department of Energy for a grant to discover the feasibility of using solar energy to heat and cool a Community Center in Hercules. The designs are being prepared by the architectural firm of Hardison and Komatsu HOW TO PROTECT PERSON AND PROPERTY which has had extensive experience in solar use in buildings.

Enclosed with this issue oL Newsletter is a copy of the The complex, in addition to containing city offices, will also Contra Costa County "Crime Prevention Manual" . Compiled by include a Youth Center, meeting rooms , day-care classrooms and the Crime Prevention Committee of the County , an organiza- an amphitheater. A swimming pool is an essential part of the solar system and will be designed as a "heat sink" , warming the tion of private citizens inte rested in reducing the incidence of water for year-round swimming. Excess heat will be drawn off burglary and other criminal acts, the City Council believed you by fountains or roof cascades as a decorative as well as a func-would be interes ted in having a copy for study and applicl!tion .

In the near future members of the Hercules Police Unit will be tion~~elerent.. t t . It " contacting you and your neighbors for discussion of ways you . e pans are. st~ll very en ahve and . a~p e oppor umty will can help controlCflIIie and protect your propmty-arrtt-yuursetf- _~_ kgtv:en~bhCJn ~uJ befo ~de..QSlOnS a.r~ ml!de ,:- ___ _____ ._ f 0 tt k DIscussIOns are bemg held WIth Hercules, Inc. to dedIcate a r ~~u ~~e'strongly urged to read the manual carefully and to , IS-acre site for ~he. Commll:nity ~enter on the no~ theast side of put its recommendations into effect at earliest possible moment. Sycamore near Its mtersectlOn WIth Redwood Dove.

Only an alert and aware community can be a totally safe com­ munity for all its residents.

If you are interested in joining the Crime Prevention Com­ mittee, call Barbara Parker or Don Burke at 798-2572, They'll welcome your support.

FLOWER POWER SEWAGE PLANT
The City Council has authorized the construction of a unique ecology-oriented sewage treatment plant on property recently purchased from Valley Nitrogen Producers, Inc. The 350 ,000 gallon-per-day plant utilizes nature's methods of cleaning water­ solar heat, plants , organisms and acquatic life. The end product is a recyclable water which can be used by industry and/or for irrigation, or returned to streams with no harmful affects upon the environment.

Wastewater will be introduced into tanks for up to six days . retention time during which it is subjected to sunlight under a greenhouse-type roof , heating the sewage to over 750 , thereby stimulating the growth of healthfu l bacteria which consume coliforms and other pathogens present in the sewage. These, in turn, are fed upon by invertebrates such as snails and shrimp and fmally, by fish. Water hyacinths will be grown on the surfacp. of the ponds, which will absorb heavy metals and nutrients :
from the sewage. The water hyacinths can be easily harvested and converted to fertilizer and cattle feed, or fed to an anerobic

V ALLEY OF THE GIANTS
Planning is underway to design and develop the extensive open space in Refugio Valley into a linear park and recreational area. The firm of Susaki, Walker and Associates have been en­ gaged to do the preliminary planning. Play and exercise areas, along with bike, hike and horse trails, scenic turnouts, picnic spots and just plain unspoiled open spaces are being talked about.

Again, there will be public meetings before plans become hard and fast.

The preservation of the gigantic eucalyptus groves in the val­ ley is a primary objective.

FIRST PARK TO BE DEDICATED TO EX-MAYOR
Many residents were saddened to learn of the death of Gene L. Woodfield who was Mayor of Hercules during its formative period. "Woody" was instrumental in the development of the 1972 General Plan which is the blueprint for the current design of the City. He was a devotee of the out-of-doors and insisted that there be as much open areas as possible accommodated in the anitcipat­ ed development. He was on hand to greet the first new family in Hercules, Mr. & Mrs. Tim Blotzer, 100 Azalea Court, and took time from his job as Maintenance Superintendent of the then Hercules Plant to present them with champagne and roses as they moved in. (over)
FIRST PARK (cont'd)
Retired in 1976 because of disabling heart problems, he built a woodsy retreat l}ear' Nevada City where he lived with his wife, Barbara, until his death on January 17. .
.The City Council 'felt that it was fitting to name the first city park after Mayor Woodfield and it was so done by official resolution.

The PlIrk is located next to the Hercules School on Lupine.

Presently under construction, it is planned for completion in June with the official opening 'and dedication to follow soon after.

HERCULES NEEDS YOU!
Hercules is unique in that it is a new community in every sense of the word. New development, new people, new ideas and concepts that have not or connot be applied in other cities, open opportunities and challenges that few have experienced. If you have read this far in Newsletter you can readily see that some dif­ fere-nt approaches to urban lifestyle are on the horizon.

The Council and staff have long felt that there are talents and skills among our new residents that should be utilized to help build the future for all of us and those who will be coming along later. '.

A questionnaire has been drafted to elicit from you: 1) what you think Hercules should be like and look like; 2) our needs, and; 3) ho,*, you can contribute to the process. It will be mailed soon.

We need to know what you can contribute in time and talent to the betterment of your community. Won't you respond? HEY MAN, YOU'RE BLOCKING MY VIEW!
At its inception, Hercules was designed as a "no clutter" community. This meant requiring ample off-street parking, under­ grounding all utilities, prohibiting RVs and boats in sideyards, keeping massive fencing to a reasonable height and, generally, attempting to maintain an open feeling in the neighborhood.

Accordingly, both the City Ordinances and the CC & Rs
(Covenants, Conditions and Agreements) act to these ends.

Ordinances are laws: they can be enforced in a court of law and you may be fined- even jailed for serious violations. The CC & Rs are contractual agreements that you have made with your neighbors and any or all of them may bring a civil suit to enjoin you from detracting from the enjoyment of their property . In some cases, they can collect damages from you if they can make a case.

The most prevalent problems in Hercules are: 1) fences
over six feet in sideyards and backyards (the sideyard is that portion of your lot behind the main front building line ), "privacy fences", usually installed with swimming pools, mounted on top of the normal six foot backyard fence ~ not allowed; 2) RV s and boats stored or parked in front ~ (trucks and cars, too); 3) roof-top antennas. The CC & Rs limit the height of roof- top aritennas and prohibit them entirely when cable television is available.

The City is inderstanding about TV antennas and will not take, action against those residents who enjoy reception from their installations. CB and ham radio fans, though, should take stock of their situations and make application for special permits (to be considered by the Council) if they are to operate without in­ convenience to their neighbors. TV antennas must be removed when Cable is in.

Please take a look at your property and evaluate whether or not you are violating your neighbor's property rights. Let's try to keep"1:his -a -"h:rsste-:free-'-'-CUmrhunlty.- -- ----.. ~. ~- ---

COUNCIL MEETS IN NEW LOCATION
In an effort to make themselves available and accessable, the City Council now me'ets in the Hercules Elementary School multi­ purpose room on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m .

The City Hall is still located in the Old Village at 555 Railroad Avenue. Day-to-day business is conducted there, but the Council sessions will now be at the Hercules School.

The Council sincerely welcomes the input of any citizen to their discussions.

COMMUNITY GET-TOGETHE R
A Hercules resident , Edwardo Manuel has submitted a compre­ hensive plan to the City Council for a community "hoe down" to bring together all of the neighborhoods and residents to meet each other and their official representatives. An event is proposed for early Spring which would feature entertainment, food and drinks and a "Getting to Know You" theme .

Manuel also proposed the organization of a Hercules mixed choir which, if it comes off, will be one of the first in this area.

He suggests that the community should capitalize on its rich cultural resources and develop a series of ethnic festivals wherein all residents could flavor the traditions, food, dance, and music of the heterogeneous popUlation which marks Hercules.

COUNCIL ELECTI ONS MARCH'S. 7
All registered voters are urged to vote for Council candidates on March It? At this writing there are fwo persons running for ___ .~ two seats on the City Council. Fred Wachowicz, an incumbent ; - is running as is Lynn Judnich. Former Mayor Ernest Fawcett fIled for candidacy but resigned following a job offer that required his transfer from this area. Unfortunately, the legal requirements will keep his name on the ballot but it should be known that he is not a viable candidate. It is understood that there are petitions circulating for write-in candidates which is a sign of the political health of our City.

Councilman Ron Ardissone has taken over as Mayor and
Fred Wachowicz is Vice-Mayor.

Lynn Judnich, if elected, will be the first woman Council­ person in Hercules since its inception in 1900.

Form No. 10-300 REV. (9/77)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM

SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS

TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS
(NAME
HISTORIC Hercules Village
AND/OR COMMON same

LOCATION

STREET &JSIUMBER
Hercules Avam*c% Tallev Way, Say and Pinole Streets
1<ings Avenue, Railroad /Vvenue, Santa Fe
—NOT FOR PUBLICATION
CITY. TOWN
Hercules VICINITY OF

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
#7

STATE CODE
California
COUNTY
Centra Costa 013 CODE

CLASSIFICATION

CATEGORY
_XDISTRICT
_BUILDING(S)
—STRUCTURE
—SITE
—OBJECT

OWNERSHIP
—PUBLIC
_PRIVATE
_XBOTH

PUBLIC ACQUISITION
—IN PROCESS
—XBEING CONSIDERED
STATUS
^.OCCUPIED
^.UNOCCUPIED
—WORK IN PROGRESS

ACCESSIBLE
,X_YES: RESTRICTED
—X.YES: UNRESTRICTED
—NO

PRESENT USE
_AGRICULTURE —MUSEUM
—COMMERCIAL —PARK
—EDUCATIONAL .^PRIVATE RESIDENCE
—ENTERTAINMENT —RELIGIOUS
—XCQVERNMENT —SCIENTIFIC
—XlNDUSTRIAL —TRANSPORTATION
—MILITARY —OTHER:

OWNER OF PROPERTY
NAME
multiple ownership

STREET & NUMBER

CITY, TOWN
(See Continuation Sheet)
_ VICINITY OF
STATE
i LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Courthouse of Contra Costa CountyCOURTHOUSE,
REGISTRY OF DEEDS.ETC.

STREET& NUMBER
843 CourCITY. TOWN STATE
California

REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS
TiTLE
DATE
—FEDERAL —STATE —COUNTY —LOCAL

DEPOSITORY FOR

SURVEY RECORDS
CITY. TOWN STATE

DESCRIPTION

CONDITION

X-EXCELLENT
—GOOD
X-FAIR
^DETERIORATED
_RUINS
_UNEX POSED

CHECK ONE

XUNALTERED
—ALTERED

CHECK ONE

XORIGINALSITE
—MOVED DATE-

DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE The Hercules, California plant village being nominated is comprised of thirty-six buildings remaining from the original plant village in the geographical area included in this nomination. This represents the majority of the total buildings in this area that was the company town operated by the explosive manufacturing companies in Hercules in the 1890ls-1940's. Originally, the village had a population of several hundred, but now the majority of the residential buildings are vacant, subjected to vandalism and abuse both unauthorized and authorized, and are scheduled for possible demolition.

The remaining plant village buildings represent the cohesiveness of the original village fabric, with the company buildings on the hill being all intact and used; the social and utilitarian buildings being intact, vacant, and available for re-use; superintendent's hill having sufficient remnants of the area to note its former presence; and the remaining residential buildings. • ;
Buildings; and Sites Contributing to the Character of th4 District (Note: The numbering system used here utilizes the original plant village structure numbering system.)
Building No.
8100
Location
Kings Avenue
8101
8103
Kings Avenue
Kings Avenue
8111
8118
9302
9701
Kings Avenue
Kings Avenue
Description
Main Office Building: Three-story, masonry,
Classic Revival, symmetrical patterns of
functional windows characteristic of turn-
of-the-century industrial/office buildings.
laboratory: Two~story, masonry, utilitarian,
Classic Revival.\ ....-.,
Hercules Club House: Massive, two-story,
wood frame built in 1897. Included large
auditorium, bar, barber shop, shower-bath,
billiard room, library, bowling alley.

Guard House: Now housing Hercules Post
Office, a small, utilitarian, wood frame,
shingled hip roof building.

Office Annex: Now housing Hercules City Hall,
a mildly sprawling, one-story, wood frame,
bungalow style.

Low Level Plant Road Store/shed; large storage sheds, wood frame, sheet metal siding and roof.

Low Level Plant Road Store/shed, large storage sheds, wood frame, sheet metal siding and roof.

Pinole Street Queen Anne cottage, two-story with basement Qlevated (same as No. 10).
0] SIGNIFICANCE
PERIOD
—PREHISTORIC
—1400-1499
_1500-1599
_1600-1699
—1700-1799
Xl 800-1899
X.1900-

AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW
_ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC
_ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC
_AGRICULTURE
_ARCHITECTURE
_ART
.^COMMERCE
—COMMUNICATIONS
_COMMUNITY PLANNING
,\ CONSERVATION
—ECONOMICS
—EDUCATION
—ENGINEERING
—EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
^.INDUSTRY
—INVENTION
—LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
—LAW
—LITERATURE
—MILITARY
—MUSIC
_PHILOSOPHY
—POLITICS/GOVERNMENT
—RELIGION
—SCIENCE
_SCULPTURE
_SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAivT
—THEATER
—TRANSPORTATION
—OTHER (SPECIFY)

SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER/ARCHITECT

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The proposed historic district represents one of the last remaining company towns in California. Its existence cannot be separated from the explosive indistry in America.

The parent of Hercules was the California Powder Works which was incorporated on De­ cember 28, 1861, and operated in Santa Cruz, California. It was the first incorpora­ ted powder company in the far west and was established to afford explosives for gold miners and for the building of the western end of the transcontinental railroad. The prime mover and first president of the California Powder Works was Captain John H.

Baird (1822-1880), a "forty-niner" who was elected to the State Senate for 1852-1854.

By 1869, the California Powder Works began manufacturing dynamite in San Francisco.

The explosive was called "Black Hercules Powder" which eventually became its major product. The plant was called Hercules Powder Works. Because of explosions and an encroaching population, the California Powder Works, along with other powder companies, was forced to move to a less inhabited area. The site chosen to construct the new Hercules Powder Works was the present day Hercules, California. It was ideally situ­ ated on the bay with a railroad running through the property.

On October 27, 1879, a 44.94 parcel of land was purchased from the heirs of Don Ignacio Martinez, the grantee of Rancho El Pinole, a Mexican land grant of 1824. In 1888, a second parcel of land was purchased. It included a marshland/floodplain. The deed also included a covenant that prohibited the California Powder Works from ever manufacturing any explosives on a section of land that presently comprises the old village of Hercules. This section, shielded from the explosive plant by a hill, is the site of the residences of the workers employed by California Powder Works and later by Hercules Powder Company.

Dynamite was not manufactured at Hercules until 1881, but over the ensuing two decades Hercules became the largest producer of dynamite in the world. Eventually, during World War I, it also became the largest producer of TNT in America. The plant supplied explosives to both sides until America entered the war. The first plant explosion occurred on January 11, 1882, and was felt nerly 35 miles away. At least six other explosions had occurred before the turn of the century, two in 1892 and one each in 1895, 1896, 1898, and 1899. The most disastrous explosion occurred on February 20, 1908. Subsequent explosions had been few and confined to small sections of the plant.

By the end of the 19th century, a strong need for government was felt, so that on December 15, 1900, the City of Hercules was incorporated by a vote of 103-3. It was the third incorporated town in Contra Costa County. With one exception, the council- men were and always have been, until very recently, employees of the industry. Simul­ taneously with organization of a city, the homes and structures were built to accomo- date the plant employees and their families.

JJMAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
A. History of the Explosive Industry in America by Von Gelder/Schatter B. History of Contra Costa County by Slocum
C. History of Contra Costa County (1917) by Hulaniski
D. Contra Costa County—Historical and Biographical Illustrated (1926) E. Newspapers: San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Pinole-Hercules News F. Library of Pinole Historical Society
G. Archeological Site Record/ Sonoma State College , CA-CCQ-370 r»T?r\r>'o AnuTr« AT T^ATA LiIiLHjKArrllL.AJLi U/\l/\
ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 34 . 4±
Follow-up Archeological Report, June 7, 1978
_IffM NOT VERIFIEDMare Island JtPPFAPF MflT VnHHFft DRANGI-E SCALE 7.5 minute series A| . | I I , I . , I I . i t ] . . I B| . I I I . I ... | I . i . 1 . , |

ZONE EASTING NORTHING ZONE EASTING NORTHING
cl , I I I , I i , I I.I.I,.! D! . I I I . U_J I • I • I • • I

QUADRANGLE NAME

UTM REFERENCES
II , i , . J I , » -
i . i » L_LuJ: ''' Hr'rMT ;:.

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION
See Continuation .-Sheet
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES >>"v.' STATE
none CODE COUNTY

STATE CODE COUNTY CODE

FORM PREPARED BYNAME/TITLE
Dr. Joseph Mariotti_____ Fdwin S. Ast.nnp, C 1-16-7Q
Pf rftilf e^TPTs to r i ca 1 Soc i e ty
Avonuo————
Astone & Associates
Q?ft
DATEJM (415)
{«*)-
PA
STATE

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION
THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS:

NATIONAL__ STATE X LOCAL___
As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE
TITLE
A//.DATE
Form No 10-300a
(Hev 10-74)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
JUN 1 7 I960
DATE ENTERED Al ft ? ? IQRD

CONTI NUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE
Citation Buildings
2777 Alvardo Street
P.O. Box 2359
San Leandro, CA 94557
Valley Nitrogen Products, Inc.

P.O. Box 1752
Fresno, CA 94717
Hercules, Inc.
910 Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19899
State of California
State Lands Commission
1807-13th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
East Bay Regional Park District
11500 Skyline Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94619
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
San Francisco District
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Form No 10-300a
(Hev. 10-74)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM
CONTI NUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE 2
Building No.
7 10
12 16
17 18
19 20
21 23
24 Location
Bay Street
Pinole Street
Pinole Street
Pinole Street
Pinole Street
Pinole Street
Santa Fe Avenue
Santa Fe Avenue
Santa Fe Avenue
Santa Fe Avenue
Santa Fe Avenue
Description
Two-story, "pattern book," wood frame house, -t
hip roofed, now covered with synthetic siding
material.

Queen Anne cottage, two-story with basement
(elevated), having tall, narrow bay windows,
columns supporting entryway, high front steps.

Structure is generally intact with no major
alterations.

Queen Anne cottage, two-story with basement
elevated (same as No. 10).

Two-story, "pattern book," wood frame house,
hip shingled roof, presently covered with
a synthetic siding material.

Two-story, "pattern book," wood frame house
identical to the majority of the buildings
in the village.

Two-story, "pattern book," same as No. 17.

Two-story, "pattern book," wood frame house,
hip roof, brick fireplace/chimney, brick
foundation presently covered with a synthetic
siding material.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Form No 10-300a
(Hev 10-74)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 3
Building No.
27 30
34 37
38 39
47 48
54 56
62 69
102
Location
Santa Fe Avenue
Park Street
Park Street
Park Street
Park Street
Park Street
Park Street
Kings Avenue
Kings Avenue
Santa Fe Avenue
Railroad Avenue
Railroad Avenue
Description
Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Three-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19 at an elevated level with the
addition of a basement level.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19 except with porch railing removed.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19 except with porch railing removed.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Two-story, "pattern book" house, identical
to No. 19.

Two-story with basement, wood frame bungalow,
excellent condition.
/
Two-story with basement, wood frame bungalow,
good condition.

One-story, flat duplex bungalow, built during
World War I, generally flat roof, with each
unit having a studio unit layout.

One-story flat.

Masonic Lodge: Originally a bachelor's
quarters and supplemental clubhouse, one
story with basement, bungalow styling, wood
frame.

Form No 10-300a
(Hev 10-74)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM

FOR NFS USE ONUT
RECEIVED JUN 1.7 1980

CONTI NUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE
Building No.
129
132
Location
Railroad Avenue
133 Railroad Avenue
135
160
200
Kings Avenue
Kings Avenue
Waterfront
Description
One-story duplex, elevated bungalow style,
wood frame with a synthetic siding material
on the exterior.

Two-story with basement, elevated bungalow,
brick fireplace/chimney, brick foundation,
large porches and roof eaves, excellent
condition.

One-story with basement, elevated bungalow,
brick fireplace/chimney, brick foundation,
large porches and roof eaves, excellent
condition.

One-story with basement, wood frame bungalow,
good condition.

One story with basement, wood frame bungalow,
excellent condition.

Wharf: Constructed in 1902 pursuant to the
franchise granted by the City's Board of
Trustees. Includes a pump house at its
terminus which pumps cooling water to the
plant; narrow gauge tracks, previously used
to haul raw materials to and finished
explosives from the plant. The superstructure,
including the bridge over the railroad right'
of way, is deteriorated with age and neglect
but is essentially as it was during the high
production time of the plant and plant village.

Form No. 10-300a
(Hev. 10-74)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM
CONTINUATION SHEET SIGNIFICANCE_____ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 2 Because of the necessity of locating explosive manufacturing plants in remote areas, housing for key employees in close proximity to the plant was usually a necessity.

Numerous explosives manufacturing companies erected plant villages such as Hercules.

In addition, to satisfy the housing demand, the plant village provided for a strong social atmosphere and other needed community services. One of the important features of the plant was the Hercules Club, founded in 1896 by a few employees. The project received the enthusiastic support of the Company, the Plant Superintendent and the Board of Trustees of the City who appropriated $5,000 for it. The socializing at the Club, which still stands today, proved to be very popular with the workmen and re­ sulted in stab!izing the work force. From time to time, the Company enlarged and improved the building and equipment, but its management has been entirely carried on by the workmen. The Hercules Hospital was established by the California Powder Works as the first hospital and resident physicians service in the American explosive trade.

The building still stands today.

Basically, there were two groups of homes. One group was situated in an area commonly called "The Hill" which accommodated the administrative personnel and families. It was less crowded and demonstrated greater variation of style. The other group, which was built on the side of the sloping hills, was somewhat separated and accommodated the working class and their families. The town also included a clubhouse and a resident physician staffed hospital. The town had abundant recreational facilities including lighted tennis courts and a baseball field which had been in near constant use for greater than three-quarters of a century.

Hercules was the area*s most desirable community in which to live, with its untarnished and desirable social atmosphere, and its cleanly polished and well kept homes with the neatly trimmed yards. All of the residents of Hercules were company employees. Al­ though the number of residences and residents increased precipitously during World War I and World War II, the number averaged approximately 100 and 300 respectively. The following were the population totals of the plant village: 1910 - 274; 1920 - 373; 1930 - 389; 1940 - 343.

Consistent with the attitude of the times, however, no residences were afforded the hundreds of Chinese workers. In 1903, the plant and the homes were absorbed by the DuPont company. In 1912, the DuPont holdings were dissolved by decree (Sherman antitrust) and assigned to the new Hercules Powder Company. Eventually, Hercules Powder Company became Hercules, Incorporated, and the plant began manufacturing agricultural chemicals.

Form No. 10-300a
(Hev. 10-74)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM
CONTINUATION SHEET SIGNIFICANCE ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 3____________________ In spite of the changes within the industry, the town of Hercules has remained essentially unchanged for three-quarters of a century. At the turn of the century, the region in which Hercules is located, was the center of explosive manufacturing in the west. Of the six (or more) other previous explosive manufacturers, only the town of Hercules re­ mains as remnants of this era. Only recently has the community atmos­ phere dissolved and a portion of the homes destroyed in preparation for total redevelopment.

The village area includes a referenced archeological site (CA-CCO-370) and a "possible site" as indicated on the enclosed map. There is con­ fusion as to the existence of any moderate or substantial archeological material. The exact location of the listed site is not pin-pointed.

As referenced in the listed reports, ".....it appears that we will have to wait a bit to find the site if it extends into the project area.

George Gales says that it's under the Lions Club or Masons Hall or whatever is just across the street outside of the project area". The possible site is even more nebulous. "The site I located inside the project area has not been recorded as a site because I feel that it was dumped there along with a whole lot of other fill material." uim No 10 3OOa
new 1O Ml
I M 11 USiAll S hi PAR 1 Mi M 01 111! IN It KIOR

NATIONAL PAHK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER Or HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM

FOR NFS USE ONLY
REC£IV£D JUN 1 7 1980
DATE ENTERED ™& <'- - IO
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 10 PAGE 1
Beginning at a point of intersection of the continuation of the center!ine of Santa Fe Avenue and the easterly right of way line of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks; thence northerly along said right of way line to the intersection of the continuation of the westerly edge of the wharf/bridge; thence over the tracks and continuing out to the end of the wharf, continuing along the easterly edge of the wharf the bridge ovejC. the tracks; thence continuing this line to a point approximately 50' east of the Laboratory Building (Bldg. No. 8101); thence along the existing fence line in a southerly direction to a point approximately 50' south of the security gate at King Avenue; thence westerly 100' at a right angle; thence continuing in a generally southerly direction 450'; thence continuing at a 45 angle in a southwesterly direction 250'; thence continuing at a right angle in a southeasterly direction 3001; thence at a right angle in a southeasterly direction 650'; thence at a right angle in a southwesterly direction 200' to a point of intersection with the center line of Santa Fe Avenue; thence along the center-line 250'; thence at a right angle continuing in a southwesterly direction to the centerline Hercules Avenue; thence at an approximate 55° angle continuous 285'; thence at a right angle, continuing 200* in a northerly direction; thence at a right angle continuing 100' in an easterly direction; thence at a right angle continuing 150' in a northerly direction; thence at a 45° angle continuing in a northeasterly direction 125' to the intersection of the centerline of Santa Fe Avenue; thence continuing in a northwesterly direction 1125' to the point of beginning.

The boundaries proposed for the Hercules Village include all of the remaining viable areas which represent the earlier plant village. There are four activity zones of the earlier village, all with key existing structures.

No, Activity Zone
Activity
Institutional Headquarters
Office
Existing Buildings
Main office building, laboratory, hospital
(police headquarters), office annex (City
Hall)
Hercules Clubhouse, Lodge
Two large residences, street pattern, park,
etc. of the location of the large, prestigious
residential building.

Two basic clusters of workmen's houses
separated only by topography and the open
area, which was the acid flow area, from
the olant complex and now a park-like
setting.

Omitted from this Hercules Plant Village District nomination were any of the industrial buildings of the plant complex for the following reasons:
2 3

4. Social
Superintendent's Hill
Workmen's Houses
Form No 1O-300a
(Hev 10-74)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 10 PAGE 2

1. Questionable as to the extent of the age, alteration, etc. of any building going back to the ore-1928 era of the plant village.

2. District separation from the four above activity zones by topography and distance.

3. Obvious nonhistoric intrusion by additions of industrial pines, valves, sheds, etc. adjacent to all industrial buildinos.

Also omitted from the nomination was the area south of the triangle residential complex which originally included twenty-seven (27) residential buildings (24 singles, 3 duplexes) on the streets of Durham, Skelly, Bacchus, and Hercules This area was omitted for the following reasons:

1. Of the original 27 residences, only five (5) remain today, which represents only 18% of the original, far below the accepted benchmark of 50% remaining structures.

2. There is a separation of approximately 1050' between Buildina No. 3^ and the closest of the five remaining residential buildings, a separation which is unable to be justified either by landscaping, archeological, topography, etc. Only the street pattern remains.

FHR-8-300A
(11/78)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 10 PAGE
Hercules Village Historic District
Hercules, Contra Costa County, California
A. 10/5624 00/4207150
B. 10/562390/4207380
C. 10/562230/4207560
D. 10/562490/4208000
E. 10/562360/4208210
F. 10/562100/4208350
G. 10/562140/4208470
H. 10/562450/4208300
I. 10/562590/4208050
J. 10/562620/4207720
K. 10/562540/4207530
L. 10/562620/4207430
M. 10/562540/^207370
N. 10/562630/4207260
HER C UL F,200'

PLANT VILLAGE

HERCULES VILLAGE
Hercules, Centra Costa Co., California
Plant Village Activity Zones
\W- \\\\v^\\\\v
Plant Village Activity Zones
Institutional Headquanters/Office
Social
3) Superintendents Hill
Mr > Workmen's Houses

30. House #20
SITE AREA C: HOUSES C WITH VIEWS OF THE APPROACH TO THE PARK

ON HERCULES AVENUE AND ACROSS THE PARK TOWARD SANTA FE AVENUE (Photos 31-34)

31. House C, Hercules Avenue,
others of this type are discussed
on page 19.

32. View across the
triangular park to
Santa Fe Avenue.

33. View northwest on Hercules
Avenue showing mature landscaping
and approach to the park._______

34. View from Hercules Avenue
to the intersection with Santa
Fe Avenue showing Houses #8-#10.

Figure No. 6
HER C UL £~,
200

PLANT V/LLAGL
Possible Archeological Site
Archeological Site
CA-CCO-370

HERCULES VILLAGE
Hercules, Contra Costa Co., California
Location of archaeological sites
Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX II
Planning Commission Meeting Staff Report, dated May 7, 2018 Provided in the following page.

The rest of this page is left blank intentionally.

Queen Anne PC staff report for 5-7-2018

Ro
Planning Department

TO: Chairperson and Members of the Planning Commission

FROM: Holly Smyth, AICP, Planning Director
Victor Carniglia, Municipal Resources Group

DATE: May 7, 2018 Regular Planning Commission Meeting

SUBJECT: Categorical Exemption Determination under CEQA for Relocation and Rehabilitation of the “Queen Anne House” (aka building #54) by Adopting Resolution #18-11 from its Current Temporary Location at 1000 Sycamore Avenue at the City’s Corporation Yard to site Either Inside or Outside the City Limits of Hercules

APPLICANT: The City of Hercules, Planning Division, City Hall

LOCATION: 1000 Sycamore Avenue, within the City’s Corporation Yard located near Willet Street, Hercules, CA

1. RECOMMENDATION

Receive s taff report , discuss potential changes, and consider approving Resolution #18 -11 (Attachment 1) finding that a Categorical Exemption is adequate to address the Environmental Consequences of moving the Historic Queen Anne Structure (Historic Building 54).

2. PROJECT OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND:

The action before the Planning Commission is to determine whether a CEQA finding of “Categorical E xemption: Existing Facilities ” is the appropriate determination to address the environmental consequences of moving a historic structure, commonly referred to as the “Queen Anne House” (Historic Structure #54), from its current location at the City’s Corporation Yard, to an undetermined location either inside or outside the City of Hercules.

This need for an environmental determination for moving the Queen Anne House originated as a result of direction from the City Council in September 2016 to market the “Queen Anne” house to interested buyers that intend to rehabilitate and use the structure either in the City or in another community. While the City had at one point considered moving the house onto City park land at Duck Pond Park to serve as a public structure, it was determined that doing so was no longer financially viable given the condition of the “Queen Anne “ house. The City subsequently issued RFP’s to determine the level of public interest in purchasing, moving, and rehabilitating the Queen Anne house. At the November 9, 2016 City Council meeting, Rockhead and Quarry, LLC were Queen Anne PC staff report for 5-7-2018
selected to purchase the home for $1 with the intent to relocate outside of the City and rehabilitate the structure to serve as affordable housing.

In December 2017 , City Council directed staff to staff to retain a consultant to prepare the environmental documentation needed to address the environmental consequences under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of moving the Queen Anne house, with the intent of facilitating the future sale, relocation, and renovation by a third party of the Queen Anne house.

The consulting firm the “M Group” was retained by the City to prepare the necessary CEQA report, as the structure is on the National Historic Register as a contributor to the “Hercules “Village” Historic District (which was a worker village associated with the Hercules Powder Company) , which they subsequently completed in March 2018. Attachment 2 contains the report prepared by “M Group” that provides the environmental and related historic documentation needed for moving the subject “Queen Anne” house.

The following is a summary of the information contained in this attached report . The report concludes that a CEQA finding of Categorical Exemption is appropriate for “relocating and rehabilitation” of the subject Queen Anne house “in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards”. According to the report the only historic significance retained by the structure once moved and renovated is that the structure was once occupied by Eugene (Gene) Woodfield….who served as mayor from 1962-1975 and was “instrumental in crafting the City’s first General Plan and creating a blueprint for how the City would evolve following the closure of the Hercules Plant”, and whom the first City park was named after.

Key contents of M-Group report:
• Summary of Findings and Methodology used (pages 3 to 4, Attachment 2) • Information about the historic context background of the house , including when it was built and moved (pages 4 to 8, Attachment 2).
• The historical significance of the house in relation to the State and Federal criteria used to judge significance (pages 8 to 10 Attachment 2).
• The historic integrity of the house (pages 9 to 10, Attachment 2). • The CEQA determination of Categorical Exempti on is discussed on pages 11 to 12 of Attachment B.

A “Notice of Exemption, Categorical Exemption: Existing Facilities Form” has been completed by staff and would be filed with the County once it is acted on by the Planning Commission.

On a side note, in speaking with Dmitri Belser, co-owner of Rockhead and Quarry, LLC, on May 3, 2018 his company is in process of placing a bid on a vacant lot in El Sobrante to relocate the building and his company is still ready to take on the project.

Attachments:

1. Resolution approving Categorical Exemption

2. M Group “Queen Anne House Historic Evaluation” report

3. Categorical Exemption form
Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX III
Categorical Exemption Resolution, dated May 7, 2018
Provided in the following page.

The rest of this page is left blank intentionally.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX IV
Notice of Exemption, dated May 8, 2018
Provided in the following page.

The rest of this page is left blank intentionally.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX V
Relocation Advertisement, dated 2016
Provided in the following page.

The rest of this page is left blank intentionally.

2016 Back Entry

WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN INTERESTED PARTY TO REMOVE

HISTORIC HOME AT NO COSTS TO THE CITY
(AND POTENTIALLY INCORPORATE OTHER ALTERNATIVES)
Parties
Interested in
Removing the
“Queen Anne”
building at no
cost to the
City need to
contact
Planning
Director Holly
Smyth by
Wednesday,
October 26th at
510-245-6531

Years ago the City purchased Historic
Home #54 building (referred to as the
“Queen Anne”) that was located on a
hill behind the Hercules Powder Works
Club House Building for a dollar. The
City had a moving company cut the
building in half in order to transport
the building to its current location on
the City’s Corporation yard (near
Willett Street / Sycamore Avenue)
anticipating that it would be
incorporated into Duck Pond Park 1
block away. Duck Pond Park currently
contains a compacted pad with utilities
stubbed out next to the park’s parking
lot.

The City has not had the capacity to
carry out any project with the building
and wants to remove the structure. The
City is inviting interested parties to
submit proposals by November 1 that
would remove the building at no costs
to the City (potentially incorporating
other alternatives). Interested parties
will be able to tour the building on
October 27th and are asked to RSVP in
advance to Shiva Matinpour at 510 -
799-8244.

Proposals will be evaluated looking at
the greatest public benefit with the
least costs to the City with low risk
.level
2016 Front Entry
2016 Side View

All proposals need to outline the following:
1) Name and Contact information
2) What is being proposed to be done and how with timeline 3) Cost implications if any for the City
4) Provide a listing of any potential team members
5) Past relevant experience and capacity to carry out proposed task 6) Any relevant licenses, credentials, etc.

Note: The four steel girders under the house, fencing, and cribbing are not part of the removal as they belong to other parties and satisfactory insurance will need to be provided in the future.

2005 – Queen Anne Building
before relocation
Interpolated raised entry level
and 2nd floor plan layout

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX VI
Building Survey, dated 1984
Provided in the following page.

The rest of this page is left blank intentionally.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX VII
Archived Photographs, Dates Unknown

Original location of subject structure. Date Unknown.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

Subject structure at former temporary location with roof. Prior to 2018.

Subject structure at current temporary location (City’s Corporation Yard) with roof removed and with temporary tarp. Prior to August 2024.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

Partial roof with wood shingles detached. Prior to August 2024.

Door and siding detached and outside of the subject structure. Prior to August 2024.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

APPENDIX VIII
Site Photographs – Site visit completed on August 7, 2024

Overal length of subject structure with temporary tarp.

Side of subject structure with removed doors on the ground.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

Corner of subject structure supported above steel I-beams.

Side of subject structure with one window partially exposed.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

Side of subject structure with three windows partially exposed.

Side of subject structure with three windows partially exposed and flooring exposed.

Final Historic Resource Integrity Evaluation – Building 54 / Queen Anne – Hercules, CA

m-group.us campbell  santa rosa  berkeley

Angled bay window partially exposed from the temporary tarp.

Interior or porch floor exposed and partial roof with shingles on the ground.