Historic Preservation Commission
Staff Report
September 6, 2023
FILE NO: DHS-021943-2023
A request to make a Determination of Historic Significance for 451 East Center Street.
ADDRESS: 451 East Center Street
APPLICANT: Doug Alvey
PROJECT PLANNER: Geoffrey Starns, AICP, LEED AP, Historic Preservation Supervisor RECOMMENDATION: Determine that the property located at 451 East Center Street (File No.
DHS-021943-2023) is not historic and adopt Resolution No. 23-024.
BACKGROUND:
On July 27, 2023, Doug Alvey submitted an application to determine if the house at 451 East Center Street is Historic. Staff researched the property and completed an intensive-level survey for the property.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:
In reviewing Chapter 2 of the Pomona Guide to Historic Preservation, the structure was built in the Craftsman Bungalow style, which occurred starting in the late 1900s, but was the dominant architectural style in Southern California in the 1910s. The 1993 Survey identified the property as a Craftsman Bungalow.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
The house at 451 East Center Avenue is located in a neighborhood that has a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The house faces the street and has a front yard setback of approximately 15 feet. The house has parking lots on both sides, and a commercial building to the rear. There are single-family residences across the street.
The house is rectangular in plan with a low-pitched, gable roof with the gable end on the east and west sides of the home. It sits on a river rock foundation wall. There is a cross gable roof, which covers a Attachment No. 3
September 6, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
portion of the front porch. The only visible alterations are that the windows and front door have been replaced. The house has clapboard siding with an exposure of approximately 3 ½ inches, and corner boards. The window trim is more of a colonial revival style with a cornice molding as the window header trim that angles out at 45 degrees when it meets the side trim. The roof is composition shingle with exposed rafters. The end rafters have a rectangular notch, with a rounded edge, taken out to create a decorative detail. The exposed beams are notched at the bottom with a rounded piece added to the bottom to make the beam wider. The roof vent in the porch is shaped like a horseshoe, but the vents on the east and west sides of the home are rectangular, with trim matching the windows around the vents.
The porch takes up the center third of the house with a river rock foundation wall, a 2-3 foot high stem wall and four, 4x4” wood posts supporting the gable roof. The front door has glass sidelights that stop in line with the bottom of the other windows, approximately 3 feet above the floor level.
Relevant Alterations:
New Chimney – 1990 (Permit)
Remodel Service Porch – 1952 (Permit)
Window Replacement – Unknown Date
Character-Defining Features:
1. Clapboard Siding
2. Exposed Rafters
3. Exposed Beams
4. Decorative Roof Vents
5. Decorative rafter tails on end rafters
HISTORY:
The history is limited on this property. While there are a number of people that resided in this house, other than their names, and some of their occupations, there is not much detail on these residents.
Historic Context Statement:
The property falls under the Residential Theme of an Established City (1900-1919) section of the Citywide Historic Context Statement. The attached pages from the Historic Context Statement identify criteria and integrity standards in order to be considered historic.
Survey Information:
The property was not included in the 1993 Historic Resources Survey, although the area was surveyed, with the house at 477 East Center Street, along with two homes on the 300 block included in the survey.
City Directories:
The first time the property was included in the City Directories was 1919.
September 6, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
Year Name
1919 Mrs. Elizabeth Peet
1922 Betsy S. Peet (Widow of Sherman)
1924 Betsy S. Peet; Vera and Norman Fleming. Mr. Fleming was a mechanic; Vera and Robert N. Fleming. Robert was a press operator; and George Fleming, a mechanic) 1926 Violet and Fred Carnall
1928 Mrs. Etta Nugent; Clyde Nugent. Mr. Nugent was a fireman for the Pomona Fire Department.
1931 Mrs. Etta Nugent; Clyde Nugent.
1934 Una and Herbert M. Angus. Mr. Angus was a carpenter; Paul D. Angus, a laundry worker; Robert M. Angus, a bookkeeper.
1937 Mabel and John L. Ross. Mr. Ross was a painter.
1940 Mary and Walter Bowman. Mr. Bowman was a driver.
1945 Mildred L. and E. E. Fisk. Mr. Fisk is listed as being in the US Army; Lucille Roberts, an orange grower. (Listed by address as living here, but listed under their names as living at 451 N. Reservoir)
1948 George T. Vance; Jessie P. Vance.
1951 George T. Vance; Jessie P. Vance. Jessie Vance is listed as the owner in 1951. 1952 George T. Vance; Jessie P. Vance.
1953 Grace and William H. Atz. Mr. Atz worked at the Factory Furniture Outlet. 1961 Stella and Myrl E. Gates. Mr. Gates owned Myrl’s Lawnmower Shop. 1965 S. Gates.
1967 Stella Gates.
1969 Not Listed.
1971 Roy Coffman.
1973 Roy Coffman.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps:
The City keeps a 1928 Sanborn Map that was updated by the Building and Safety Department. The changes show the remodel of the service porch and change to the detached garage.
September 6, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
Significance:
The residence at 451 East Center Avenue was built in 1910 and appears to have been used as a rental most of its life, based on the number of residents that have lived in the house. Based on staff’s research, the house is not significant. It does not meet any of the City of Pomona’s designation criteria. In addition, this neighborhood does not meet the criteria for an historic district.
According to Assessor Records, the house was built in 1910. The first time that the address appears in the City Directories is in 1919 when Mrs. Elizabeth Peet lived in the house. In 1922 and 1924, Mrs.
Peet continued to live in the house. Also in 1924, Vera and Norman Fleming, Vera and Robert Fleming, and George Fleming all lived in the house. In 1926, Violet and Fred Carnell live in the house, while several other Carnell’s (presumably family members) lived next door at 463 Est Center Street. In 1928 and 1931, Mrs. Etta Nugent, and Alma and Clyde Nugent resided on the property. Clyde was a member of the Pomona Fire Department. The 1934 City Directory started a revolving door of tenants, with different names in each city directory, until 1948 when Jessie P Vance and George Vance lived in the house. Jessie Vance was listed as the homeowner. They lived in the house until 1953 when Grace and William Atz lived there. In 1961, Stella and Myrl Gates lived in the house. Mr. Gates owned Myrl’s Lawnmower Shop. Stella Gates is shown as living on the property until 1967. In 1969, it is not listed and in 1971 and 1973, Roy Coffman resided on the property.
Our research, while interesting, did not present any significant aspects of Pomona’s history. Pomona has thousands of bungalows of similar style and quality.
Designation Criteria:
Staff reviewed the National Register, California Register, and local designation criteria to determine whether the property is historic.
National Register of Historic Places Criteria
1. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history (Criterion A).
Through our research, there have been no events identified that occurred on this property that would have made a significant contribution to National, California, or Pomona’s history.
2. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past (Criterion B).
None of the persons associated with this property have been found to be significant in the history of the Nation, California, or Pomona.
3. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, represents the work of a master, possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction (Criterion C).
September 6, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
This property does not have any distinctive characteristics that would distinguish it from the thousands of other Craftsman Bungalow style houses in Pomona. In addition, the property does not have any features that would be considered high artistic values, and it is not the work of a master.
4. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory (Criterion D).
This criteria relates to archaeological resources and there is no information that this site was could have been important to Native American tribes in the area. Therefore, the property is not likely to yield any information.
California Register of Historical Resources
1. 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 (Criterion 1).
Through our research, there have been no events identified that occurred on this property that would have made a significant contribution to National, California, or Pomona’s history.
2. Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California or national history (Criterion 2).
None of the persons associated with this property have been found to be significant in the history of the Nation, California, or Pomona.
3. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region or method of construction, represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values (Criterion 3).
This property does not have any distinctive characteristics that would distinguish it from the thousands of other Craftsman Bungalow style houses in Pomona. In addition, the property does not have any features that would be considered high artistic values, and it is not the work of a master.
4. Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California or the nation (Criterion 4).
This criteria relates to archaeological resources and there is no information that this site was could have been important to Native American tribes in the area. Therefore, the property is not likely to yield any information.
City of Pomona Designation Criteria
September 6, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
1. It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city of Pomona's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history; This property does not reflect any special elements of Pomona’s history. Staff’s research has not identified anything special regarding this property that would make it historic under this criterion.
2. It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state, or national history; None of the persons associated with this property have been found to be significant in the history of the Nation, California, or Pomona.
3. It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; This property does not have any distinctive characteristics that would distinguish it from the thousands of other Craftsman Bungalow style houses in Pomona. In addition, the property does not have any features that would be considered high artistic values, and it is not the work of a master.
4. It contributes to the significance of an historic area, being a geographically definable area possessing a concentration of historic or scenic properties or thematically related grouping of properties which contribute to each other and are unified aesthetically by plan or physical development;
The area is identified as a potential historic district through the Citywide Historic Context Statement, but the alterations to the neighborhood over the years has created an inconsistent development in the area and does not create a “geographically definable area possessing a concentration of historic or scenic properties or thematically related grouping of properties” and therefore the area would not meet the criterion for being an historic district. In addition, the 1993 Citywide Historic Survey failed to include the homes in the neighborhood and as a potential district even though other areas along Center Street were included.
5. It is the work of a notable builder, designer, landscape designer or architect; The builder and architect have not been found, so therefore, there is no notable builder, designer, or architect.
6. It has a unique location or singular physical characteristics or is a view or vista representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community, or the city of Pomona; September 6, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
There is nothing on this property that would make is a unique location, or that has a singular physical characteristic, or a view or vista that represents an established and familiar visual feature of the surround neighborhood.
7. It embodies elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship that represent a significant structural or architectural achievement or innovation; The Craftsman Bungalow were not expected to be constructed in a manner that would represent a significant structural or architectural achievement or innovation. The styling and construction methods tended to trickle down from larger home to smaller “bungalows”, making innovations or achievements unlikely.
8. It is similar to other distinctive properties, sites, areas, or objects based on an historic, cultural, or architectural motif;
This property does not have features that would make it similar to other distinctive properties, nor is there a common motif linking this property to others.
9. It reflects significant geographical patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, particular transportation modes, or distinctive examples of park or community planning;
The neighborhood that this house is located in is an area that reflects the early growth of Pomona, but alterations to this neighborhood post World War II, created an inconsistent development that no longer conveys this era of development. In addition, this particular property is one of thousands of bungalows in Pomona and cannot reflect those settlement patterns on its own.
10. It is one of the few remaining examples in the city of Pomona, region, state, or nation possessing distinguishing characteristics of an architectural or historical type or specimen.
This home is one of thousands of Craftsman Bungalows in Pomona. It is not one of a few remaining homes in Pomona in either style or type.
INTEGRITY:
The property has been identified as a Craftsman Bungalow style home based on Chapter 2 of the Pomona Guide to Historic Preservation. The windows and front door have been replaced. There is a great deal of integrity left in the home, despite the window replacement.
CONCLUSION:
Our research, while interesting, did not present any significant aspects of Pomona’s history. Pomona has thousands of bungalows of similar style and quality. While a nice old home, staff does not think it is historic, or that it would be part of a potential historic district.
September 6, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Historic Preservation Commission Resolution No. 023-024
2. Photographs of site and surrounding area
3. Survey Forms
4. Applicable Historic Context Statement Pages
Photographs of Site and Surrounding Area
451 East Center Street
East of Property
West of Property
Across the Street from Property
Across the Street from Property
State of California - The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
*Resource Name or #: (Assigned by Recorder) 451 E Center Street NRHP Status Code 6Z
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Survey #
DOE # Review Code Reviewer Date
Other Listings
Other Identifier None
*P3a. Description:
The house at 451 East Center Avenue is located in a neighborhood that has a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The house faces the street and has a front yard setback of approximately 15 feet. The house has parking lots on both sides, and a commercial building to the rear. There are single-family residences across the street.
The house is rectangular in plan with a low-pitched, gable roof with the gable end on the east and west sides of the home. It sits on a river rock foundation wall. There is a cross gable roof, which covers a portion of the front porch. The only visible alterations are that the windows and front door have been replaced. The house has clapboard siding with an exposure of approximately 3 ½ inches, and corner boards. The window trim is more of a colonial revival style with a cornice molding a- (--See Continuation Form--) (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition,alterations, size, setting, and boudnaries) *P3b. Resource Attributes HP02
*P4. Resources Present Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other P5b. Description of Photo:
*P7. Owner and Address:
ALVEY,JOHN P AND SHARON L TRS AL
496 East Holt Avenue
Pomona, CA 91767
*P9. Date Recorded: 8/24/2023
*P10. Survey Type (Describe)
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Reature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (List):
(View, date, accession #)
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source:
1910
(List Attributes and codes)
P1.
(isolates, etc.)
P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, structures, and objects.) Historic Prehistoric
Both
*P8. Recorded by:
Geoffrey Starns
DPR 523A (01/04) *Required Information
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Date T R 1/4 of 1/4 of Sec B.M.
d. UTM: mE/ mN
e. Other Locational Data:
*P2. Location:
c. Address 451 E Center Street Zip 91767
(Give more than one fr large and/or linear resources)
;; ;
Zone ;
City:
Not for Publication
*a. County Los Angeles and (P2c, P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach a Location Map as Necesary Pomona
(e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, etc. as appropriate) unrestricted
505 South Garey Avenue
Supervising Planner / Historic Preserva
City of Pomona
Pomona, CA 91769
*Recorded by: Geoffrey Starns
Continuation Update
*Date 8/24/2023
x
State of California - The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
*Resource Name or #: (Assigned by Recorder) 451 E Center Street Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
P3a. Description (continued):
s the window header trim that angles out at 45 degrees when it meets the side trim. The roof is composition shingle with exposed rafters. The end rafters have a rectangular notch, with a rounded edge, taken out to create a decorative detail. The exposed beams are notched at the bottom with a rounded piece added to the bottom to make the beam wider. The roof vent in the porch is shaped like a horseshoe, but the vents on the east and west sides of the home are rectangular, with trim matching the windows around the vents. The porch takes up the center third of the house with a river rock foundation wall, a 2-3 foot high stem wall and four, 4x4” wood posts supporting the gable roof. The front door has glass sidelights that stop in line with the bottom of the other windows, approximately 3 feet above the floor level.
Relevant Alterations:
New Chimney – 1990 (Permit)
Remodel Service Porch – 1952 (Permit)
Window Replacement – Unknown Date
DPR 523A (01/04) Required Information
DPR 523L (01/04) *Required Information
State of California - The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
*Resource Name or #: (Assigned by Recorder) 451 E Center Street *NRHP Status Code: 6Z
Primary #
HRI #
B1. Historic Name: None
B3. Original Use: Single Family Residence B4. Present Use: Single Family Residence *B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
B2. Common Name:
*B6. Construction History: (construction date, atlerations, and date of alterations) The residence at 451 East Center Avenue was built in 1910 and appears to have been used as a rental most of its life, based on the number of residents that have lived in the house. Based on staff’s research, the house is not significant. It does not meet any of the City of Pomona’s designation criteria. In addition, this neighborhood does not meet the criteria for an historic district.
According to Assessor Records the house was built in 1910. The first time that the address appears in the City Directories is in 1919 when Mrs. Elizabeth Peet lived in the house. In 1922 and 1924 Mrs. Peet continued to live in the house. Also in 1924, Vera and Norman Fleming, Vera and Robert Fleming, and George Fleming all lived in the house. In 1926 Violet and Fred Carnell live in the house, while several other Carnell’s (presumably family members) lived next door at 463 Est Center Street. In 1928 and 1931, Mrs. Etta Nugent, and Alma and Clyde Nugent resided on the property. Clyde was a memb- (--See Continuation Form--) Theme: Architecture
*B9a. Architect: Unknown
Area City
Period of Significance 1910
b. Builder: Unknown
*B10. Significance:
Property Type Single Family Residence
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Aslo address integrity.) (List attributes and codes)
B13. Remarks:
*Date of Evaluation: 8/24/2023
(This space reserved for official comments.)
*B8. Related Features:
None
*B12. References:
*B7. Moved? Date: Original Location:
*B14. Evaluator: Geoffrey Starns
Date Built: 1910
Yes/No
National Register: California Register: Local Register:
Applicable Criteria:
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: HP02
(Sketch Map with north arrow required.)
DPR 523B (01/04) *Required Information
*Recorded by: Geoffrey Starns
Continuation Update
*Date 8/24/2023
State of California - The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
*Resource Name or #: (Assigned by Recorder) 451 E Center Street Survey ID:
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
B10. Significance (continued):
er of the Pomona Fire Department. The 1934 City Directory started a revolving door of tenants, with different names in each city directory, until 1948 when Jessie P Vance and George Vance lived in the house. Jessie Vance was listed as the homeowner. They lived in the house until 1953 when Grace and William Atz lived there. In 1961, Stella and Myrl Gates lived in the house. Mr. Gates owned Myrl’s Lawnmower Shop.
Stella Gates is shown as living on the property until 1967. In 1969, it is not listed and in 1971 and 1973, Roy Coffman resided on the property.
Our research, while interesting, did not present any significant aspects of Pomona’s history. Pomona has thousands of bungalows of similar style and quality. The property was not included in the 1993 Historic Resources Survey, although the area was surveyed, with the house at 477 East Center Street, along with two homes on the 300 block included in the survey.
The property has been identified as a Craftsman Bungalow style home based on Chapter 2 of the Pomona Guide to Historic Preservation.
The windows and front door have been replaced. There is a great deal of integrity left in the home, despite the window replacement.
B12. References (continued):
DPR 523L (01/04) *Required Information
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 97 Theme: Residential Development
By the turn of the 20th century, residential growth had picked up speed in Pomona. Partially due to the introduction of increased public transportation, residences reached ever further north and south, and the subdivision of land for residential developments accelerated. Table 3 at the conclusion of this section lists several early housing developments that are now located within the City limits. Details about select early tracts in Pomona are included in Appendix A.
Between 1907 and 1909, it was estimated that approximately 300 acres were bought by various syndicates and subdivided into town lots “in order to make room for the increasing homes that have been demanded by the newcomers who have flocked to [the] city from all parts of the globe.”221
One of the largest tract subdivisions was the Ganesha Park Tract, which subdivided 80 acres of orange groves into approximately 300 residential lots. As recorded in a 1909 advertisement for the Ganesha Park Tract in the Pomona Daily Review:
The subdivision of lands through the demand of the home builders has transformed the aspect of things in Pomona in the past five years. The visitor must see the city each year in order to maintain any adequate idea of the community as it really is, for the changes are rapid, although with a fundamental strength in the growth which means stability for all time… There is a standing building restriction on the property which provides that any bungalow erected in the subdivision cost at least $1,800, and those build in the more ambitious form of residences must not fall below the $3,000 mark.222
Different neighborhoods of Pomona were advertised for their relative wealth and exclusionary practices (such as the required spending amounts in the Ganesha Park Tract) versus those areas that were accessible for lower income residents (such as the area southeast of downtown). In 1910, the Pomona Progress noted, “the east side of Pomona south of the railroad tracks …offers the moderate wage earner the chance for a home at prices now within reach of his earning and saving possibilities… thousands of homes have been bought and paid for…on the easy payment plan.”223
Several other large tract developments during this period included Crabb’s Subdivision (1903); Alvarado Court Tract (1906); Kenoak Drive (1907); Antonio Heights (1909); Lincoln Park (1910); Monte Vista (1910); Palomares Heights (1911); and Naranja Val-Vista (1918). 221 Morris H. Wilson, “The Real Estate Situation in Pomona,” Pomona Daily Review, October 27, 1909. 222 “The Rapidly Growing Ganesha Park Tract,” Pomona Daily Review, March 20, 1909. 223 “Opening New Residence Tract,” Pomona Progress, May 10, 1910.
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 98 TABLE 3: SELECTED TRACT DEVELOPMENTS IN EARLY 20TH CENTURY POMONA
NAME DATE DEVELOPER
Crabb’s Subdivision 1903 Palmer & Dewey
Alvarado Court Tract 1906 Mark H. Potter
Kenoak Drive Tract 1907 Mark H. Potter
Ganesha Park Tract 1908 Morris H. Wilson; Pacific Electric Land Co.
Antonio Heights Tract 1909 Lee Pitzer, Fred E. Graham, Grant Pitzer, Mark H. Potter, and Pomona Investment Company
Lincoln Park Tract 1910 Mark H. Potter; Pomona Investment Company Monte Vista Tract 1910 Walter A. Lewis and Hutchings & Squires Palomares Heights Tract 1911 Morris H. Wilson
Naranja-Val Vista Tract 1918 Lorseer Bros. Co; Frank E. Adams; S. M. Fulton This period of development continued to be substantially characterized by single-family homes, although some multi-family homes were also constructed. Popular architectural styles included Craftsman, Victorian Vernacular, transitional Victorian, Queen Anne, and Dutch Colonial Revival styles. Other less common styles included the American Foursquare and American Colonial Revival styles. There are several historic districts in Pomona that were developed during this period: the Lincoln Park Historic District; Wilton Heights Historic District; and Hacienda Park Historic District.
From the 1900s to the 1920s, the Craftsman bungalow became a favorite architectural style for residences in Pomona. As recorded in the Pomona Daily Review in 1909, “there have been numerous attractive bungalows erected in Pomona and vicinity, and this popular style of architecture continues to entice homemakers.”224
Residences in Ganesha Park Tract, 1909. Pomona Daily Review. 224 “A Glimpse at Our Bungalowland,” Pomona Daily Review, March 20, 1909.
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 99 In his book, The California Bungalow, author and architectural historian Robert Winter discusses the perfect storm that was the favorable climate, relatively low cost of land, and the economy of materials and building costs that made the bungalow attractive to waves of migrants from the east seeking to purchase “their own piece of the sunshine.”225 Plans for bungalows were widely published in national magazines. Bungalow books proliferated.
Additionally, a new technology, the “kit home,” was perfectly suited to bungalow construction.
Catalogs for pre-cut and shipped housing construction kits became wildly popular. Pre-cut lumber, roofing materials, kitchen and bathroom equipment for each home was loaded on a boxcar and delivered to the site owner, who could either use the plans and instructions to build it himself, or to hire a contractor to do. The Aladdin Company, based in Bay City. Michigan specialized in prefabricated bungalows and larger homes. Aladdin even had a model called “The Pomona.” Other important local purveyors of kit homes included the California Ready-Cut Bungalow Company and the Pacific Ready-Cut Company.
Kit home catalogs featured a variety of styles for the buyer to choose from with photographs of just what to expect the finished product to look like. Styles changed with the changing times, but Craftsman-style designs were extremely popular in the early 20th century. However, there were also designs for Mission-style bungalows and Spanish Colonia Revival-style bungalows as the decades advanced.
The “Pomona” Bungalow by Aladdin Company, 1919. University of California, San Diego. 225 Robert Winter, The California Bungalow, (Santa Fe, NM: Hennessey and Ingalls, 1980), 23.
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 100
ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
Summary Statement of Significance
This period saw the introduction of tract development in Pomona, as some agricultural fields gave way to residential construction. Boosterism also influenced the development, as many people traveling from the East settled in Pomona. Residences from this period span outwards from the earlier downtown area, and more consistently have planned subdivision infrastructure, such as curbing, wide streets, and sidewalks. Resources significant under this theme include single- and multi-family residences constructed from the turn of the century in 1900 to 1919.
Properties evaluated under this theme may be significant as a collection of residences associated with a notable tract development (as a potential historic district), as an excellent example of a rare multi-family residence, or for an association with an ethnic or cultural group or a person important in local, state, or national history. Individual residences are typically eligible for representing an important development pattern as part of a historic district; individual examples typically must represent an important catalyst or have a proven association with influencing development during a particular period, or be the last remaining example illustrating a significant development period or pattern. Properties may also be significant as an example of a style or type; architectural styles in Pomona are discussed in the Architecture and Design Section.
Period of Significance 1900-1919
Period of Significance Justification Broadly covers the period of early tract residential development in Pomona from the
turn of the century to 1919.
Geographic Location Many early tract developments were located north and southeast of the historic downtown
core.
Associated Property Types Residential: Single Family Residence, MultiFamily Residence, Tract Features/Amenity, Historic District.
Property Type Description Significant property types are those representing important periods of residential
development in Pomona, including single-family
residences, tract features and amenities
including street trees, significant landscape
features, and streetlights. These properties can
be single-family or multi-family residences and
may collectively form a historic district.
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 101 Criterion A/1/1,9 (Events/Patterns of Development)
Individual residential properties that are eligible under this criterion may be significant:
• As the site of an event important in history; or
• For exemplifying an important trend or pattern of development; or • As a rare remaining example of a residential building type (ex. multi-family residence).
Note that in order to be individually eligible for designation for representing a pattern of development, the property must be the first of its type, a rare remnant example of a significant period of development, or a catalyst for development in the city or neighborhood.
Merely dating from a specific period is typically not enough to qualify for designation.
Residences that are eligible for an association with a trend or pattern of development from this period may be more appropriately evaluated as part of a historic district.
A collection of residential properties that are eligible under this criterion as a historic district may be significant:
• For representing an important pattern or trend in residential development, such as the establishment of a notable tract.
• As an intact collection of residences that represent the growth of Pomona in the early 20th century.
Note that some residential tract development may span several themes or periods of development. Local designation for historic districts includes Criteria 4, 6, and 8.
Integrity Considerations:
In order to be eligible for designation under this criterion, a property must retain sufficient integrity to convey its historic significance.
• Residential properties from this period should retain integrity of location,226 design, workmanship, feeling, and association, at a minimum, in order to convey their significance.
• An individual property that is eligible for a historic association must retain the essential physical features that made up its character or appearance during the period of its association with an event or historical pattern. • A property that has lost some historic materials or details can be eligible if it retains the majority of the features that illustrate its style in terms of the massing, spatial relationships, proportion, pattern of windows and doors, texture of materials, and ornamentation.
• The setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses). 226 Unless the property was moved during the period of significance.
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 102 • Note that some properties that may not retain sufficient integrity for listing in the National Register may remain eligible for listing at the state and local levels.
For historic districts:
• The majority of the components that add to the district’s historic character must possess integrity, as must the district as a whole.
o The historic district must retain a majority of contributors that date from the period of significance.
o A contributing property must retain integrity of location, design, workmanship, setting, feeling, and association to adequately convey the significance of the historic district.
o Some alterations to individual buildings, such as replacement of roof materials, replacement garage doors, and replacement of windows within original openings may be acceptable as long as the district as a whole continues to convey its significance.
o Original tract features may also be contributing features.
Registration Requirements:
To be eligible under this criterion, an individual property must:
• Date from the period of significance; and
• Have a proven association with an event important in history; or • Represent an important catalyst for a pattern or trend in residential development; or • Display most of the character-defining features of the property type or style; and • Retain the essential aspects of historic integrity.
To be eligible under this criterion, a historic district must:
• Retain a majority of contributing buildings from the period of significance; and • Retain significant character-defining features from the period of significance, including any important landscape or hardscape features; and
• Retain the original layout, reflecting planning and design principles from the period; and
• Retain the essential aspects of historic integrity.
Criterion B/2/2 (Important Persons)
Individual residential properties eligible under this criterion may be significant:
• For an association with persons significant in our past; or Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 103 • For a proven association with a specific significant ethnic or cultural group that made a demonstrable impact on the community.
Note that according to National Park Service guidance, persons significant in our past refers to individuals whose activities are demonstrably important within a local, state, or national historic context. A property is not eligible if its only justification for significance is that it was owned or used by a person who is a member of an identifiable profession, class, or social or ethnic group. In addition, the property must be associated with a person’s productive life, reflecting the time period when he or she achieved significance.
Integrity Considerations:
In order to be eligible for designation under this criterion, a property must retain sufficient integrity from the period of significance to convey its association with the important person. • Residential properties from this period should retain integrity of design, workmanship, feeling, and association, at a minimum, in order to convey the property’s association with the significant person’s productive period.
• A general rule is that the property must be recognizable to contemporaries of the person with which it is associated.
Registration Requirements:
To be eligible under this criterion a property must:
• Have a proven association with the productive period of a person important to local, state, or national history; and
• Display most of the character-defining features of the property type or style from the period of significance (i.e., the period when the property was associated with the important person); and
• Retain the essential aspects of integrity.
Criterion C/3/3,5,7 (Architecture and Design)
Individual residential properties that are eligible under this criterion may be significant as:
• A good/excellent or rare example of an architectural style, property type, or method of construction; or
• A distinctive work by a noted architect, landscape architect, builder, or designer.
Integrity Considerations:
In order to be eligible for designation under this criterion, a property must retain sufficient integrity from the period of significance to convey its architecture. • Residential properties significant under this criterion should retain integrity of design, materials, workmanship, and feeling, at a minimum.
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 104 • A property that is eligible for designation as a good/excellent or rare example of its style or type retains most - though not necessarily all - of the character-defining features of the style.
• A property important for illustrating a particular architectural style or construction technique must retain most of the physical features that constitute that style or technique. A property can be eligible if it has lost some historic materials or details but retains the majority of the essential features from the period of significance. These features illustrate the style in terms of the massing, spatial relationships, proportion, pattern of windows and doors, texture of materials, and ornamentation. • A property is not eligible if it retains some basic features conveying massing but has lost the majority of the features that once characterized its style.
Registration Requirements:
To be eligible under this criterion a property must:
• Date from the period of significance; and
• Represent a good/excellent or rare example of a style or type; and • Represent quality of design and distinctive details; and • Display most of the character-defining features of the style or type; and • Retain the essential aspects of integrity.