Historic Preservation Commission
Staff Report
April 2, 2025
FILE NO: DHS-000048-2025
A request to make a Determination of Historic Significance for 1533 Indian Hill Boulevard.
ADDRESS: 1533 Indian Hill Boulevard
APPLICANT: Salim Kassis
PROJECT PLANNER: Karina Diaz, Assistant Planner
RECOMMENDATION: Determine that the property located at 1533 Indian Hill Blvd (File No.
DHS-000048-2025) is not historic and adopt Resolution No. 25-009.
BACKGROUND:
The Planning Division received an application submittal for a Determination of Historical Significance on January 14, 2025, for the purpose of determining any potential significance of the existing structure on the site. There is one single-story structure on site that previously served as a drive-thru dairy market. Site photographs of the subject structure have been attached for Commission’s reference (Attachment 2).
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:
The drive-thru dairy market at 1533 Indian Hill Boulevard has not been surveyed prior to 202 5. Staff determined from site observations that no major alterations have been made that may compromise the architectural integrity of this structure. According to Chapter XI. Architecture and Design (1837-1980) of the Citywide Context State (2022), the existing building on the site is a rudimentary example of the Googie architectural style.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
The existing structure does not show major evidence of alterations made to the exterior facades. The submitted pictures of the market demonstrate the existing conditions and architectural elements, such as the large overhangs, angled roofs, clear expression of material s, and large expressive signage. These architectural elements provide significance evidence of the building’s Googie style origins.
April 2, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
Relevant Alterations:
Not applicable.
Character-Defining Features:
1. One story
2. Expressive rooflines, including butterfly, folded plate, and cantilevers
3. Organic, abstract, and parabolic shapes
4. Angled roofs
5. Clear expression of materials, including concrete, steel, asbestos, cement, glass block, plastic, and plywood
6. Large expanses of plate glass
7. Large overhangs
8. Roofs that appear to float over buildings
9. Thematic ornamentation, including tiki and space age motifs
10. Large expressive signage
HISTORY:
Per the LA County Assessor Portal, t he subject structure was built in 1960 and based off research from City Directories and building permit history, the building was utilized as a drive-thru dairy market .
Business license records indicate that “Mr. Milk Bottle” and “Alta Dena Express” were the only businesses registered under this address. Mr. Milk Bottle opened their license with the City of Pomona in 1986 and closed in 2000. Alta Dena Express was the following tenant and occupied the market between the years 2000 to 2020.
Historic Context Statement:
The property is within the “Commercial Development” theme of “Postwar Growth, Diversification, and Redevelopment” (1946-1980) 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:
At the time of the 1992 City-wide survey, the site was not included as a target property with potential historical significance. There are no records of 1533 Indian Hill Boulevard (previously 1533 Alexander Avenue) in the city -wide survey and t he site was not identified as a potential local or national landmark.
Library Archives:
Research into directories were limited to cross -reference directories and newspaper postings, available for the years 1940-1989. Newspaper postings from August 10, 1960, contained a “Grand Opening” advertisement for the business, Mr. Milk Bottle. No other exhibits were uncovered from the Special Exhibits Library Unit nor were there any findings or leads from both the online a nd physical April 2, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
City Directories (Attachment 3). However, building permit records provided the following property owner information:
Year Name
1960
1960
1983
1990
Alexander Investment Company
Tony Mello
Young Kyu Park
Mr. Milk Bottle
There were no findings or exhibits for the names listed above that determined these individuals were linked to being historically significant at a national, state, or local level.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps:
The City of Pomona keeps a 1928 Sanborn Map that was update d by the Building and Safety Department approximately up until 1958. No record of the site was identified in the Sanborn Map.
Significance:
Post World War II, development in all sectors increased to cater to the population boom. Majority of commercial development constructed during this time period consisted of the modernization of existing commercial buildings and the relocation of commercial uses to areas of the city outside of the City’s commercial core. This included expanding to areas such as: Gare y Avenue, Indian Hill Boulevard, and Holt Avenue, Mission Boulevard, and Valley Boulevard. Some of the m ost notable commercial development at the time were: Der Wienerscnitzel, Pioneer Chicken, Pomona Valley Center, Tate Motors, and may more. A plethora of different commercial uses were popularized during this period, including but not limited to: restaurants, financial facilities, and automobile showrooms, department stores, and malls. All of which are examples that demonstrate the rise in consumer culture and auto car culture that was ever growing during this period. Popular architectural styles for the time included the Googie-style and Mid-century Modern style.
The subject property is located along Indian Hill Boulevard (previously Alexander Ave), howe ver was not listed as a historically significant site in the Citywide Historic Context Statement (Attachment 5).
More notable development along this corridor was the Pomona First Federal Savings building, constructed in 1960 by B.H. Anderson.
Overall, the building design for this market consisted of architectural elements such as : expressive rooflines, parabolic shapes, and thematic ornamentation . However, the subject building ’s simplistic design demonstrates it is a rudimentary example of Googie -style structures that were popularized during this time.
April 2, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
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).
Research on the site did not produce findings for any events associated with the site. Therefore, the site is not associat ed with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
2. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past (Criterion B).
Findings made in the City Directories and library archives indicated that the site and building are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
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).
The property no longer embodies distinctive characteristics of a type, style, and method of construction significant to a particular time in the history of a particular region , nor does it represent the work of a master, possess high artistic values, nor does it represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
4. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory (Criterion D).
This criterion relates to archaeological resources and there is n o information that this site 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 staff 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.
April 2, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
2. Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California or national history (Criterion 2).
Research into the site did not produce any correlation to link the subject site with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history.
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 features that would make it similar to other distinctive properties nor is there a common design pattern linking this property to others. This particular structure lacks multiple character-defining features of the Googie style, such as: large expanses of plate glass, expressive rooflines, thematic ornamentation or organic, abstract, and parabolic shapes .
Therefore, this structure does not represent the work of a master or possesses a high artistic value.
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 criterion 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 Landmark Designation Criteria
Architecture / Physical Features
1. 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 (Criterion 3 in previous ordinance);
The property does not embody distinctive characteristics of a type, style, and method of construction significant to a particular time in the history of a particular region, nor does it represent the work of a master, possess high artistic values, nor does it represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
2. It is the work of a notable builder, designer, landscape designer or architect (Criterion 5 in previous ordinance);
The builder and architect have not been found, therefore, there is no notable builder, designer, or architect.
April 2, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
3. It embodies elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship that represent a significant structural or architectural achievement or innovation (Criterion 7 in previous ordinance);
The minimal architectural detail for the structure demonstrates that is does not embody the character defining elements of the Googie style. Given the lack of articulation, and simple massing theme, the building is not defined a s representing an example of architectural achievement of innovation.
4. It is similar to other distinctive properties, sites, areas, or objects based on an historic, cultural, or architectural motif (Criterion 8 in previous ordinance);
The subject structur e does not contain major distinctive architectural elements of the Googie Style. Therefore, the building does not present any features that are especially unique and exemplary of notably significant examples of the style.
5. It has a unique location or sing ular physical characteristics or is a view or vista representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community, or the city of Pomona (Criterion 6 in previous ordinance);
The site is located on Indian Hill Boulevard, previously Alexander Ave, and is in a unique location.
Majority of major commercial development areas for this time period were developed outside of the original commercial core to accommodate growing suburban communities. Indian Hill Boulevard identified as one of the streets within the city that witnessed commercial growth during this time.
6. 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 (Criterion 9 in previous ordinance);
The property is a rudimentary example of auto -oriented commercial development that became popular during this time period due to the rise of car culture and demand for both residential and commercial development.
7. 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 (Criterion 10 in previous ordinance).
The site is not one of a few remaining distinguishable examples of the Googie style in the city of Pomona, region, state, or nation. Pomona has a variety of distinguishable and rarer examples of the style that are extant in the Pomona, many of which can be found within the City.
April 2, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
Person(s) and Events Important in Our History
1. It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state, or national history (Criterion 2 in previous ordinance);
Findings made in the City Directories and library archives do not indicate that the site and building are associated with the lives of persons or events significant in local, state, or national history.
2. It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city of P omona's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history (Criterion 1 in previous ordinance);
This property does not reflect any special elements of Pomona’s history. Staff’s research did not uncover any exhibits that determined the subject site exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city of Pomona’s cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history.
Archaeology
1. Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California or the nation.
This criterion 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 Historic District Designation Criteria
1. It is a contiguous area possessing a concentration of eligible historic resources or thematically related grouping of struct ures which contribute to each other and are unified by plan, style, or physical development; and (b) 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 4 in previous ordinance);
The site does not possess any significance that may contribute to the historical value and theme of the surrounding neighborhood. This determination is made due to the building’s simplistic design and lack of relation to the Googie architecture style.
2. It reflects significant geographical patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, particular transportation modes, or distinctive examples of a park landscape, site design, or community planning (Criterion 9 in previous ordinance); and
April 2, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Staff Report
The property is a rudimentary example of auto-oriented commercial development that became popular during this time period due to the rise of car culture and demand for both residential and commercial development.
Meets at least one of Landmark Designation Criteria as follows:
a. Architecture / Physical Features Criteria 1, 2, 3, or 4; and/or b. Person and Events Criteria 1 or 2.
As discussed above, the property does not meet any of the required criteria.
INTEGRITY:
The structure on the site was determined to be a Googie-style commercial building, however it does not contain any major architectural elements that this architectural style is known for , such as: expressive rooflines, thematic ornamentation, or expressive rooflines. Therefore, the subject structure does not embody distinctive characteristic of the period of architectural style. It does appear to be relatively unaltered.
CONCLUSION:
Staff determined that the property is not historic and is not eligible to be designated as a local historic landmark. Although it is one of the few drive -thru dairies left in Pomona, it is not a good example of roadside architecture that characterized the period. Staff, therefore has determined that it does not meet the designation criteria and is not historic. Staff recommend that Commission determine that the property is not historic.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Historic Preservation Commission Resolution No. 25-009
2. Site Photos
3. Library Archives and Building Permits
4. Preserving Pomona Historic Architecture – Googie Style
5. Historic Context Statement – Postwar Growth, Diversification, and Redevelopment (1946-1980)
6. Historic Context Statement – Architecture and Design: Googie Style
Site Photographs
1533 Indian Hill Boulevard
DHS-000048-2025
Library Archives and Building Permits
1533 Indian Hill Blvd
DHS-000048-2025
Library Archives:
Mr. Milk Bottle, Newspaper Postings.
(Grand Opening Ad from 1960)
Building Permit Records:
Historic Resources Group Pomona Historic Context Statement 295 GOOGIE
Googie has been described as Modernism for the masses. With its swooping lines and organic shapes, the style attempted to capture the playful exuberance of postwar America. Named for the John Lautner-designed Googie’s Restaurant in Los Angeles, the style was widely employed in roadside commercial architecture of the 1950s, including coffee shops, bowling alleys, and car washes.
Character-defining features include:
Expressive rooflines, including butterfly, folded-plate, and cantilevers Organic, abstract, and parabolic shapes
Clear expression of materials, including concrete, steel, asbestos, cement, glass block, plastic, and plywood
Large expanses of plate glass
Thematic ornamentation, including tiki and space age motifs Primacy of signage, including the pervasive use of neon
Googie: Extant Examples
1280 E. Holt Avenue (1959).
1057 E. Mission Boulevard (1954).