California Register of Historical Resources

California Register of Historical Resources
Name	California Register of Historical Resources
Established	1992
Location	California, United States
Administered by	California Office of Historic Preservation
Type	state historic register

Contents

California Register of Historical Resources is a state-level list recognizing historic properties, districts, and artifacts in California for their significance under state criteria, intended to guide preservation and planning decisions. It operates alongside federal and local programs to identify cultural resources associated with Spanish missions in California, California Gold Rush, Sierra Nevada, Los Angeles, and other significant places and events. The register aids agencies such as the California State Parks and the Native American Heritage Commission in evaluating impacts connected to projects under laws like the California Environmental Quality Act and policies adopted by the California Legislature.

Overview

The register was created by amendments to the California Public Resources Code and implemented by the California Office of Historic Preservation, reflecting precedents set by the National Register of Historic Places and influenced by preservation movements associated with figures like Ansel Adams and institutions such as the Preservation Action. It documents resources linked to historic persons such as John C. Fremont, Marin County leaders, and enterprises like the Central Pacific Railroad Company, while capturing sites related to events like the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. The register functions within a matrix that includes properties nominated from Los Angeles County, San Francisco, Sacramento County, San Diego County, and tribal lands involving the Yurok and Pomo peoples.

Eligibility draws on criteria paralleling the National Historic Preservation Act and emphasizes association with important persons such as Junípero Serra, events like the Bear Flag Revolt, architectural significance represented by firms like Greene and Greene, and potential to yield information akin to archaeological sites excavated by teams from University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and University of Southern California. Nomination may be prepared by county historical societies, municipal planning departments such as City of San Diego Planning Department, or preservation organizations like the Society for California Archaeology. The State Historic Preservation Officer and advisory bodies, including the State Historical Resources Commission, review nominations and apply criteria to determine designation, with opportunities for public comment from entities such as the California Historical Society and impacted tribal governments like the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

Listed resources include historic districts found in neighborhoods like Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, individual landmarks such as the Hearst Castle, bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge, industrial sites including the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, transportation corridors such as the Route 66 in California segments, and cultural landscapes tied to Mission San Juan Capistrano and Presidio of Monterey. Archaeological sites from indigenous cultures in regions associated with the Chumash and Tongva are eligible, as are works of architects like Julia Morgan and artists connected to institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Properties may be associated with social movements, including labor actions tied to the United Farm Workers and civil rights events involving leaders like Cesar Chavez.

Designation on the register provides a formal status used in reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act and influences determinations by agencies such as the California Department of Transportation and Bay Area Rapid Transit District. While listing does not automatically prevent alteration or demolition, it can trigger mitigations, incentives, and consultation obligations involving the State Historic Preservation Officer, the National Park Service when federal undertakings occur, and tribal consultations guided by the Assembly Bill 52 process. Legal interactions may involve statutes such as the Public Resources Code sections addressing archaeological discoveries and the California Coastal Act when coastal resources like Santa Monica Pier are implicated.

The California Office of Historic Preservation maintains the California Historical Resources Information System and coordinates with the State Historical Resources Commission to process nominations, maintain records, and publish guidance. Local governments, including county clerks in Alameda County and planning departments in Orange County, manage inventories that feed into the state register. Grant programs administered by agencies like the California Cultural and Historical Endowment and partnerships with nonprofit groups such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation support maintenance, stabilization, and interpretation projects at properties like Angel Island Immigration Station and Alcatraz Island.

The register interfaces with the National Register of Historic Places, municipal landmark programs in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Pasadena, and specialized lists like the California Points of Historical Interest. Properties listed on the state register are often also listed on the national register, and coordination occurs with federal agencies including the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration for infrastructure projects. Tribal cultural resource protocols involve agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and federally recognized tribes such as the Yurok Tribe and Yurok Reservation when archaeological or sacred sites are considered.

The register has recognized a wide range of resources, from urban landmarks like the Bradbury Building and Union Station (Los Angeles) to industrial complexes like the Mare Island Naval Shipyard and agricultural sites tied to Central Valley (California). It has influenced preservation outcomes for properties associated with Walt Disney at Disneyland environs, maritime heritage at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Native American heritage at places connected to the Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park. The cumulative effect informs planning in regions such as the San Joaquin Valley, protection efforts in Monterey County, and tourism managed by entities like Visit California while fostering scholarly research at universities including University of California, Los Angeles and California State University, Sacramento.