HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991/04/04 - Agenda Packet h OTYOF
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
- AGENDA
1977
THURSDAY APRIL 4, 1991 7:00 p.m.
RANCHQ CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER
10500 CMC CENTER DRIVE
RANClIO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA
I- Pledge of Allegiance
II. Roll Call
Commissioner Arner k.// Commissioner Haskvitz
Commissioner Banks Commissioner Preston
Commissioner Billings Chairman Schmidt
Commissioner Cooper
III. Approval of Minutes
Historic ~rese~vation Meeting Minutes of March 7, 1991
IV- Public Hearings
The following items are public hearings in which concerned
individuals may voice their. opinion of the related project.
Please wait to be recognized by the Chairman and address the
Commission by stating your name and address. All such opinions
shall be limited to 5 minutes per individual for each project.
C<i~i:!: ..~ ~.~...~.~ ~ A. 2LANDMARK DESIGNATION 91-01 - THE MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT -
I, ~ Consideration of an application to designate the Magic Lamp
Restaurant (formerly Lucy and John's), located at
8189 Foothill Boulevard, as an Historic Landmark - APN: 207-
113-12 through 18.
&.:'~,.~i>"~" ! B. LANDMARK DESIGNATION 91-02 - THE LUCAS HOUSE - Consideration
~, if' ~ to designate the Lucas House, located at 8068 Archibald
Avenue, as an Historic Landmark - APN: 208-153-01
V- Old Business
I~NDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT 90-02 - HIX DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION - Consideration of plans in compliance with
previous Conditions of Approval for alterations to the
property, landscaping, and main residence of the Lord House,
located at 6797 Hellman Avenue - APN: 202-061-12.
VI. Commission Business
~ D. PUBLIC OUTREACH UPDATE - Oral Report
E- DESIGNATION OF OUTREACH INFORMATION SUB-COMMITTEE
F. ROUTE 30 EXTENSION SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE - Oral Report
~c~-, G. THOMAS WINERY ARTIFACTS ACCESSION AND DISPOSITION POLICY -
(Report to be sent under separate cover)
~b-c~~,~ H- INITIAL DISCUSSION OF THE 1992 QUINCENTENNIAL PREPARATIONS
VII - Announcements
VIII. Public C~ments
This is the time and place for the general public to address the
Commission. Items to be discussed here are those which do not
already appear on this agenda.
IX, Adjournment
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
March 7, 1991
Chairman Bob Schmidt called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga Historic Preservation Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting
was held at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho
Cucamonga, California. Chairman Schmidt then led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Melicent Arner, Marsha Banks,
Gene Billings, Ada Cooper,
Alan Haskvitz, Steven Preston,
Bob Schmidt
COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: NONE
STAFF PRESENT: Linda Daniels, Deputy City Manager
Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner;
Larry Henderson, Principal Planner;
Shelley Petrelli, Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Moved by Billings, seconded by Preston, carried unanimously to
approve the February 7, 1991 Historic Preservation Meeting minutes, as
amended.
OLD BUSINESS
A. FISCAL YEAR 1991-1992 BUDGET REVIEW: GOALS AND WORK PROGRAM WORKSHOP
Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, presented the opening comments stating the
Redevelopment Agency has been very supportive of Historic Preservation
projects. He then introduced Linda Daniels.
Linda Daniels, Deputy City Manager, gave a brief explanation that the function
of the Redevelopment Agency is to eliminate blight in the community. She
stated in Rancho Cucamonga the primary blight conditions consist of flood
control and economic development. She reiterated the agency's support in the
area of Historic Preservation and mentioned a few of the projects being worked
on jointly by Redevelopment and Historic Preservation staffs including low-
income housing plans, development of an historic artifacts room at the new
library, development of an archives center and the historic naming of the
conference rooms at the Civic Center. She mentioned that the agency has been
setting aside $50,000 per year for the last two years specifically for the
HPC MINUTES - 1 - MARCH 7, 1991
purpose of preservation of historic structures and projects such as the Ledig
house relocation. Ms. Daniels commented that currently the agency is
examining the American National Can Company for the possibility of both
affordable housing and commercial use.
Commissioner Banks inquired from where Redevelopment Agency money comes.
Ms. Daniels responded that the funds come from annual tax assessments of
improved properties; thus, the money the agency collects is turned around and
put back into the community. She stated that recently funds have decreased
because of the slowdown in new development.
Commissioner Preston asked what percentage of the tax increment the
Redevelopment Agency receives.
Ms. Daniels responded the agency receives 39 percent.
Commissioner Haskvitz inquired if there was a priority list.
Ms. Daniels stated that priorities are established every year by Council and
this year's priorities are; the Central Park Library, the Milliken Avenue
underpass, the Fire Stations that are currently under construction, Foothill
Boulevard, and the regional shopping center.
Commissioner Preston asked how many full-time staff positions are funded
through the agency currently.
Ms. Daniels responded there are three staff positions and one clerical
position; portions of her salary and the City Manager's salary are also funded
through that budget.
Commissioner Preston inquired if the agency consulted with the Planning staff
regarding historic preservation aspects as they relate to Disposition and
Development Agreements.
Ms. Daniels stated that the information is usually brought to their attention
by Planning staff members who normally have the first contact with a project.
Commissioner Banks requested clarification on whether the landbank money had
been used for the Ledig house.
Ms. Daniels gave an update on the Ledig house stating two alternatives are
currently being looked into: 1) relocation of the house to the Neighborhood
Center site on Arrow Route and 2) relocation of the house on a donated lot
for use as a private residence. She also stated that the City would most
likely be buying the house from the agency and turn the money around for the
landbank.
Mr. Henderson clarified that the second alternative being considered specifies
moving the house 600 feet to the east, on a lot facing Hellman, rehabilitating
the house, and selling it for use as a private residence.
Commissioner Banks asked if the landbank money is cumulative.
HPC MINUTES - 2 - MARCH 7, 1991
MS. Daniels responded yes, that the money has accumulated to a current figure
of $100,000.
Commissioner Haskvitz inquired about the renovation of the railroad depot on
Archibald.
Mr. Henderson replied that SANBAG is currently looking at the property for the
commuter rail project and renovation could occur through that process through
a mixing of various funds.
Commissioner Preston asked at what level the agency is willing to commit
resources for historic preservation issues on agency projects within agency
boundaries.
Ms. Daniels stated that the primary focus of RDA is economic development; the
most feasible area funding of this nature could be used would be in the area
of low income housing.
Commissioner Preston asked if there was a possibility of using a portion of
the "20 percent set-aside" money for preservation and low/moderate income
housing linkage.
Ms. Daniels responded yes and explained the Council subcommittee of
Councilmembers Diane Williams and Bill Alexander support this type of use for
the funds.
Commissioner Banks requested maps with the RDA boundaries for a reference
material for the Commissioners.
Mr. Henderson stated that staff would see to it that the Commission would get
a map.
Commissioner Arner asked why the area of Arrow and Grove was not part of the
RDA boundaries.
Ms. Daniels stated that it meets the qualifications of being a blighted area
but another requirement is that an area must be 85 percent developed to be in
a project area today and the area does not meet that requirement.
Mr. Henderson stated that the City has been able to fund certain repairs and
restoration in that area with Community Block Grant Development (CDBG) funds
because the area meets HUD's low/moderate income requirements.
Commissioner Banks questioned why the Stoebe house qualified for CDBG funds.
Mr. Henderson stated that the house is qualified under blight because of its
deplorable condition and secondly, it does not meet certain Building and
Safety code requirements (i.e., electrical, plumbing, etc.).
Commissioner Banks commented that under those circumstances she did not
understand why the Chaffey-Garcia house did not qualify for these funds.
Mr. Henderson stated staff could have the City's block grant consultant tour
the Chaffey-Garcia house to see if it would qualify.
HPC MINUTES - 3 - MARCH 7, 1991
Mr. Henderson presented a staff report on the budget and work program items
when the Commission finished questioning Ms. Daniels.
Commissioner Banks asked how staff would be handling the oral history program
on the current budget. She voiced concern about the program because, in her
dealings with the Mayor, she felt that this was a very high priority to him,
as well as the Council.
Mr. Henderson replied there were a couple of ways: 1) require funding for
oral history as a mitigation measure on historic projects and 2) train
volunteers how to conduct oral history programs. He commented that a requests
for proposals to set up the oral history program has been prepared and is
being mailed out tomorrow; part of the proposal process includes setting up a
program to train volunteers.
Ms. Hartig interjected that the Community Foundation has allotted a sizable
amount for the program also.
Commissioner Preston asked where the Estacia Court project and the John
Klusman house fall in the work program.
Mr. Henderson stated they would both fall under the Foothill Boulevard review.
Commissioner Preston stated that it was his impression that the housing
linkage program needed to be pursued more aggressively.
Mr. Henderson explained that staff felt that item would fall under the process
of landmark designations, landmark alterations and review of projects with
impacts on historical resources.
Commissioner Preston commented he felt the Commission was trying to pursue
actual housing projects based on an historic preservation strategy.
Commissioner Preston proposed developing a strategy for Council that utilizes
historic structures to provide low/moderate income housing. He felt the
Commission wanted to pursue a more active approach to the low/moderate income
housing issues besides the funds in the landbank. He also felt that the
Commission has an obligation to set a goal as to where they are headed over
the next two to three years. He stated he wanted to ensure that all issues
the Commission has concerns about are discussed, categorized, and prioritized
with specific timeframes.
Commissioner Arner stated that the Commission had talked several times about
having land to put houses on rather than having them torn down.
Ms. Hartig stated that she and Mr. Henderson had both been working very hard
to set a precedence with the Ledig house on how historic houses should be
moved and renovated; the work RDA is now doing on housing stems directly from
the information that the HPC staff has given them. Ms. Hartig stated she
would also like to pursue this item in a more pro-active manner and as a
separate item.
HPC MINUTES - 4 - MARCH 7, 1991
Mr. Henderson asked for an explanation on exactly what the Commission implied
by the "housing linkage" strategy. He stated he needs to know what the
program should contain and the amount of staff time required to pull it
together; after that is established, he needs direction on where this item
will fit in with the other priorities.
Mr. Preston replied that it may be premature to give him that information
because the Commission is still developing strategies and goals for the next
two or three years and housing linkage may not be the only issue that will be
developing through this process.
Commissioner Banks requested clarification regarding the work program
summary. She inquired if items could be moved around at the Commission's
request from one meeting to the next.
Mr. Henderson replied yes.
Commissioner Banks requested a copy of the summary at every meeting so the
Commission and staff could make changes in priority of individual items.
Ms. Hartig stated she was working on employing a graduate assistant to help
her work on special projects.
Commissioner Banks inquired about the amount of staff's time projected for the
Citywide archives' program. She felt three months of staff's time was
excessive because there are more pressing issues given staff's limited
available time and each City department should be setting up their own
procedures for the archives' program.
Mr. Henderson clarified that the archives' program included both archives and
historical artifacts. He also told the Commission that the hours the archive
center would be open can be very flexible and can be limited as staff sees
fit.
Commissioner Haskvitz stated he thought more research should be taking place
to check out available grants.
Mr. Henderson stated with the limited staff time available already,
researching grants would not be very feasible, but he would appreciate hearing
about any possibilities from the Commission.
Commissioner Banks stated she wondered if this research couldn't be done by a
graduate student or a volunteer.
Mr. Henderson said staff would check on that possibility. He clarified that
the Commission wanted a program added to the Work Program Summary to research
and apply for grants.
The Commission concurred.
Commissioner Banks clarified that the item entitled "Etiwanda & Foothill SP
Review/Update" on the Work Program Summary was actually intended for review as
a potential historic district status for Etiwanda.
HPC MINUTES - 5 - MARCH 7, 1991
Mr. Henderson stated that would also be added to the list.
Commissioner Preston asked staff to ensure that public contact would be
included in the Outreach Project and that this would be done on a regular
basis.
Commissioner Banks stated that she would like to see the Commission issue a
press release each time the Commission does something positive for the
community.
Ms. Hartig asked if the Commission would be interested in forming a
subcommittee for the purpose of public outreach.
Commissioner Banks thought that was a good idea and that the program could
eventually run without taking any of staff's time in much the same way that
the Sesquicentennial "Know your History" program was organized.
Chairman Schmidt commented that he regularly presents a slide show and oral
history program to interested groups in the community.
Commissioner Banks commented that volunteers would come forward to participate
in the Outreach Program if they were aware of our programs and activities.
The Commission concurred that they wanted to form a subcommittee.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
B. LANDMARK DESIGNATION 91-01 - THE MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT - Consideration of
an application to designate the Magic Lamp Restaurant (formerly Lucy and
John's Cafe), located at 8189 Foothill Boulevard, as an Historic Landmark
- APN: 207-113-12 through 14-
Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and recommended
extending the landmark designation to include the decorative brick walls and
paving along the property at the Foothill Boulevard boundary and therefore,
enlarging the legal description to correlate to this extension.
Commissioner Arner asked if the living quarters are currently upstairs.
Ms. Hartig responded yes.
Commissioner Arner stated that the back looks like the front used to look.
Commissioner Cooper added that the building was originally green stucco ·
Commissioner Billings recalled the original restaurant being on the east end
of the building located at the southwest corner of Archibald Avenue and
Foothill Boulevard.
Commissioner Cooper agreed with that statement.
Commissioner Schmidt opened the public hearing.
HPC MINUTES - 6 - MARCH 7, 1991
Tony Vernola stated it would please him and his family to have the Magic Lamp
designated as a Landmark.
MOTION: Moved by Cooper, seconded by Banks, unanimously approved 7-0-0, to
continue Landmark Designation 91-01 to the April 4, 1991 meeting to re-
advertise the extended property features identified by Assessor's parcel
numbers 207-113-12 through 18-
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ARNER, BILLINGS, BANKS, COOPER, HASKVITZ,
PRESTON, SCHMIDT
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
--carried
NEW BUSINESS
C. "CELEBRATE YOUR HERITAGE" PROGRAM
Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Commissioner Arner asked if an advertisement would be done to publicize the
large scale photo opportunity and if interested people from local communities
could come.
Ms. Hartig responded yes to both questions.
Commissioner Banks said she envisioned this photo session taking place at the
Thomas Winery in appreciation of the fact that the developer has gone through
a tremendous amount of expense and effort to preserve it as an historical
site. She felt we had asked a great deal from this developer and this would
be an excellent opportunity to give something in return.
~Ms ~._/~tig stated she had some preliminary discussions with the owners of the
~"~olwooa~Restaurant and they are very receptive to the idea of the historic
photo opportunity.
The Commission proposed the following potential heritage sites for possible
publication:
1- The Christmas House
2. Garrett and Company
3. Chaffey-Garcia House
4. Sycamore Inn
Mr. Henderson commented that the Commission could develop their own
professional poster that shows key historical properties with information
about that property on the poster.
HPC MINUTES - 7 - MARCH 7, 1991
Ms. Hartig offered to bring back a few sketches for the "Know Your Heritage"
poster.
Commissioner Preston suggested using the poster that is available and
developing ideas for a future historical poster which could possibly be used
for a fund raiser.
Commissioner Haskvitz suggested involving the schools in the process of
developing sketches for the future poster.
Commissioner Banks stated this idea should be part of the Outreach sub-
committee.
MOTION: Moved by Preston, seconded by Arner, unanimously carried 7-0-0, to
accept staff's recommendations as outlined in the March 7, 1991, memorandum.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ARNER, BILLINGS, BANKS, COOPER, HASKVITZ,
PRESTON, SCHMIDT
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
--carried
COMMISSION BUSINESS
D. ROUTE 30 EXTENSION SUB-COMMITTEE - Oral Report
Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner, presented an oral report. The sub-committee
met discussed the following items:
1. Review of impacts resulting from removing the East Avenue
interchange.
2. Recommended replanting windrows by the Ross' House.
3. Explore preliminary archaeological concerns surrounding the Goerlitz'
House and Casaletti's Polka Palace.
4. Prepare a letter to landmark owners or potential landmark owners to
inform them of the proposed freeway's impacts.
6~m~ented that the~e are about three alternatives to the roUte'~hlat would not
__~i_~pact thes_tr.u.c_.tUlre~as significantly as first thought. She further stated
there was discussion on the Isles' House regarding the purchase of property
for relocation of the house.
Ms. Hartig commented that many high-level State and local negotiations are
going on regarding the number of off-ramps, their locations, etc. She stated
more information would be forthcoming from the City Engineer prior to the next
meeting.
HPC MINUTES - 8 - MARCH 7, 1991
Mr. Henderson stated that monthly negotiations taking place at the Sam Maloof
house have been very beneficial.
E. DISCUSSION ON CANYON SIGNS
Commissioner Haskvitz discussed the possibility of placing road signs for the
canyons in the area to identify them.
Commissioner Arner commented she thought people would may think they can drive
up the canyons when they see the signs.
Commissioner Banks agreed with Commissioner Arner and also stated she had
concerns that the City would liable for potential injuries by encouraging the
situation with the signs.
Commissioner Haskvitz explained that a traditional road sign should not be
used; perhaps HPC could come up with a design for an informational sign.
Commissioner Banks commented perhaps the signs could be renderings of the
mountains labeled with the canyon name. She thought this item may be more
appropriately discussed within the Outreach subcommittee. She agreed with
Commissioner Haskvitz that the people should have this information, but she
was still concerned about creating an attractive nuisance and thought perhaps
this would not be the best way to educated the public.
There was some discussion regarding the possibility of a topographical map and
it was decided to defer the matter the Outreach Committee.
F. HERITAGE PARK SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE - Oral Report
Ms. Hartig updated the Commission on the status of the Heritage Park
subcommittee. She stated that one of the Park and Recreation Commissioners
has left the City and an election will be taking place this month for the new
Commissioner; also included on their agenda will be dates to pick from for the
next joint meeting.
Commissioner Haskvitz felt that any organization or person that was to be
honored by way of a sign on the walkway should incur the expense of the sign,
but this perception was not shared by the full Commission.
G. REVIEW OF DRAFT LETTER OF GRATITUDE TO SAM MALOOF
The Commission reviewed and suggested changes to the draft letter for
Mr. Maloof thanking him for his offer to donate a piece of his joinery.
HPC MINUTES - 9 - MARCH 7, 1991
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Banks brought it the Commission's attention that the Etiwanda
Historical Society has noticed a development in northeast Etiwanda (east of
Summit school) that has incorporated historical names on their street signs
with several spelling errors. She commented they also included the name of
"Clark" and Mr. Clark objects because his family is not historical family to
the area.
Mr. Henderson stated staff would write a letter to Engineering with the
misspelled names; however, the street that is incorrectly named will have to
be researched and would require going through the normal process for a street
name change.
Commissioner Arner questioned the color scheme chosen for the Alta Loma
Elementary School.
Ms. Hartig stated she was not consulted about the color choice and because it
is not a local landmark, the Commission does not have input on color choice.
Commissioner Preston stated that he and Ms. Hartig appeared before Council to
provide information on the Guidera Complex/Foothill Marketplace. He commented
that Council backed the HPC with a vote of 5-0-0 sending the message to the
developer that the mitigations HPC recommended on the project were reasonable.
Commissioner Arner asked if the Commission would be planning any events for
the Quincentennial.
Mr. Henderson suggested placing the item on the next agenda under Commission
Business.
MS. Hartig announced the upcoming Public Humanities Lectures on "Longing for
Community - Dream or Nightmare" and passed out the corresponding brochure.
Ms. Hartig reminded the Commissioners of the California Preservation
Foundation Conference May 9-12 and asked which Commissioners would be
interested in attending.
Chairman Schmidt and Commissioner Arner stated they were interested.
Ms. Hartig announced the first landmark plaque is being negotiated for by
Sahama Development for the Schowalter Rock Pile. She commented that the City
would be trying to get some publicity on the first landmark plaque.
}[PC MINUTES - 10 - MARCH 7, 1991
Mr. Henderson gave the Commission an update on the remaining artifacts and
wine casks donated by the developer from the Thomas Winery project. He stated
the City had been given notice to move wine casks within two weeks and with
the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce, staff was able to locate a donated
storage area. He further commented it was a monumental task to move the
artifacts and wine casks, but with the assistance of Yukon Disposal, their
donated trucks and services, and the City maintenance staff, everything was
moved into storage. He commented that staff would be bring back a policy next
month regarding dissemination of the artifacts for the Commission to review.
Commissioner Banks suggested the Guidera site for placement of a barrel. She
asked if there is an inventory of the items in storage.
Ms. Hartig responded she would be working on the inventory soon.
Mr. Henderson stated that possibly some of the artifacts could be used in a
fund-raiser for an historical fund if all the items are not dispersed to
public entities first. He stated that staff is working with City Council on a
proclamation for the people who helped staff with the project; staff is also
working on a letter of gratitude to the Chamber.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
ADJOURNMENT
The Historic Preservation Commission adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley A. Petrelli
Secretary
HPC MINUTES - 11 - MARCH 7, 1991
-- CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 4, 1991
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation
Commission
FROM'~~y Henderson, AICP, Principal Planner
BY: Anthea M. Hartig, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: Landmark Designation 91-01 - The Magic Lamp
~_~aalra/Mi - Consideration of an application to designate the
Magic Lamp Restaurant (formerly Lucy and John's), located at
8189 Foothill Boulevard, as an Historic Landmark - APN: 207-
113-12 through 18.
Per the first public hearing on Landmark Designation 91-01
for the Magic Lamp, the proposed site has been expanded to
include the decorative perimeter walls and sidewalk paving
dating from the extensive, mid-1950s remodelling. Thank you
for your assistance and input.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Henderson, AICP, Principal Planner
Attachments: Exhibit "HPC-i:" Revised Site Plan
Exhibit "HPC-2:" Staff Report, March 1991
Addendum
Exhibit "HPC-3:" Staff Report, March 1991
Exhibit "HPC-4:" Resolution of Approval
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 7, 1991
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation
Commission
FROM: Larry J. Henderson, AICP, Principal Planner
BY: Anthea M. Hartig, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: Addendum to Landmark Designation 91-01 Staff Report
Please supplement the Staff Report's findings of significance with the
following data. Staff is grateful to Melicent Arner and Jim Cavender
for providing this well-research material.
II. ANALYSIS:
B. Significance: In 1930, Lucy and John Nosenzo moved
from northern California to the Guasti area where Mr.
Nosenzo probably had acquaintances from his native town,
Asti, Italy. The couple first opened a grocery store at 109
West Foothill Boulevard (the southwest corner with
Archibald Avenue) around 1933 or 1934. A few years
later in 1937, the Nosenzo family opened the Asti Cafe, as
it was formally known, in the same building and began
serving Italian food to the community.
It was in 1941 that "Lucy and John's," as the cafe came to
be called locally, moved to the present site of the Magic
Lamp. The Nosenzo's hired a Los Angeles Architect, Arman
Monaco, to design a large restaurant building in a
Streamline Moderne style which according to information
gathered by Mr. Cavender, was modelled in-part after the
then new NBC Headquarters located on the corner of
Sunset and Vine in Hollywood.
The Nosenzo family retired to their small fishing cottage
on Balboa Island around 1946-47. Between their
departure and the purchase of the site by Edith and Frank
Penn, the Ruffner family ran the restaurant.
V. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Commission
designate the structures, signs, and contributing brick walls and
walkways of the Magic Lamp site as Landmark 91-01. It is also
recommended that the original parcel information be changed to
include AP numbers 207-113-12 through 18 rather than through 14
and that if the Commission concurs with these recommendations, to
re-advertise the public hearing with these changes added and
continue the hearing to the April meeting.
Larry J. Henderson, AICP, Principal Planner
LJH:AMH/amh
Attachments:
Updated Exhibit "HPC"-2: Landmark Application
Updated Resolution of Approval
Stll~e Of Clli ~Orn~ -- The ~sourCe¶ Agency Ser ~0. '
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS ANO RECREATION HABS HAER Lac ...SHLNO.__NR Status__
UTM: A C
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY 8 D
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name: The Maqic Lamp ReStaUrant
2. Historic name: lucy ~ ,}nhn'~; Eaf~
3- Street or rural address: 81E~(} Feathi 11 Rnulevard
Cit~ Rancho Cucamonq~ Zip 91730 County. c. an R~rnardinn
4. Parcelnumber: 207-~.t3-12, 13, & 14
5. Present Owner: Pat &Mary Vernola Address: iI~P~- t~ I~Hr-~l
City UD 1 and Zip q 17R6 Ownership is: Public Private
6. Present Use: Restaurant/Lounqe Original use: Restaurant
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style:
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structur~ and describe any major alterations from its
original condition:
The existing Hagic Lamp contains a number of additions, massings, and entrances
dating from the 1956 extensive renovation which have obscured the original
wooden cafe structure. The site consists of a long rectangular, single-storied
wooden-framed portion backed by a three-storied dwelling/office unit. The
restaurant portion's gable roofs vary in pitch and the three-story unit is
topped by a fiat roof. During the renovation, the original patio dining area
became a large circular fireplace and lounge encased by three large, wooden-
framed picture windows facing north. Two additional entrances along the north-
east corner were constructed and the entire single-story pqr+i~n ~.-'as encasea wi~h
intricate brickwork of used brick, slate and other stones, glazed brick, and
burnt brick laid in comon bond. Unadorned, 6"x6" posts supported by brick
pedestals hold up a wood framed porch which covers the north entrance, stained
glass laid in an abstract pattern with a centered "genie's" lamp fill a large
circular and a tripartite rectangular window. Other detailing includes extended
wooden eave members and intricate brick entranceways and ~alls. The tile roof
coverina the s~ngle-story portion ~s laid from 4 to 8 tile thick, and particular
~ll;tention ~s drawn to the ~Rv~ and
Attach Photo Envelope Here B. Construction date: ]
Estimlted ~ _ Factual
Architect 1941: Arman
Monaco
10. Builder unknnwn
11. Apgrox, propertV size (in feet)
Frontag~ ]~O Depthj,2,,~
or approx. acre~te 0.56
12, Date(s) of enclosed
Febr'~arz ~,5 ,
DPR523(Rev. 11/85) A--I~ ~---/~V~lbiF ,~_ -.
13. Condition: Excellent Good X Fair Deteriorated No ionget in existence ....
14. Alterations: Major rehabilitation and addiT, ions in ]~956
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land X Scattered buildings Densely built-up
Residential __Industrial ~Commercial X Other:
16,Threats to site: None known, X Private development , Zoning Vandalism
Public Works project Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown?
18. Related features: "Magic LamP" sign. Of me_t~l and neon; briGk wall and oavina.
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and/or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site.)
The Bear Gulch area represents one of the richest continuums of history in the Upland/
Rancho Cucamonga region. First Lucy and John's Care, then the Magic Lamp Restaurant,
it symbolizes the importance of Route 66 related activities such as dining. During the
early 1930s, Lucy and John Caferro owned and ran their care further east on Foothill
Boulevard, west of the southwest corner of its intersection with Archibald Avenue. After
b~e opening of the Red Chief Motel and Cafe in 1936, the Caferrcs relocated to a
lot across from the new motorcourt. No less an important decade for Route 66 traveling
and for 5outhrrn California's growth, the 1950s were characterized by adventurous
architectural expression often centered around a catch theme. The Magic Lamp, from its
flame-producing sign accentuated in neon to the stained-glass windows depicting again the
lamp, exists as a rare example of such thematically-inspired building and use. Frank
Penn's investment in what was then an extensive and unique remodelling concept represented
an intensification of the Bear Gulch area's economic interest in dining establishments.
Not yet forty years old, the Magic Lamp Restaurant exists in this area as a testament to
the often exaggerated, entrepreneurial architectural expression of the 1950s. The roof
detailing, lamp sign, and the stained-glass windows, to name a few, set the Magic Lamp
Restaurant apart from its time.
Local{one1 sketch map (drew and label site and
surrounding streets, roads, end prominent landmarks):
20. Main theme of the historic resource: {If more then one is ~NORTH
checked, number in order of {mOortint4.)
Architecture Arts & Leisure
Economic/Industrial X Exploration/Settlement
Government Military
Religion Social/Education
21. Sources (List books, documentl, surv~/s, pitSDrill interviews
and their dm~e$). Interviews: Melicent Arner
2/91; Anthony Vernola 1/91; and r' r ~ ' ..
22. Dell form prepared February 26 v 1991
By(name) Allthee Harti_o
Organization
Addrm:
City Zip
Phone:.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF
HISTORIC LANDMARK 91-01 TO DESIGNATE THE MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
(FORMERLY LUCY AND JOHN'S CAFE), LOCATFD AT 8189 FOOTHILL
BOULEVARD, AS AN HISTORIC LANDMARK - APN: 207-113-12 THROUGH
18.
A. Recitals.
(i ) Anthony Vernola and the City of Rancho Cucamonga have filed an
application for an Historic Landmark as described in the title of this
Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Historic Landmark is
referred to as "the application."
(ii) On March 7, 1991, the Historic Preservation Commission of the
City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the
application.
(iii) All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this
Resolution have occurred.
B. Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the
Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows:
1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts
set forth in the Recitals, Part "A", of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. The application applies to approximately 0.56 acres of land, in
a rectangular configuration, located at 8189 Foothill Boulevard, and all
structures including signs, brick walls, and brick paving.
3. Based upon substantial evidence presented to this Commission
during the above-referenced public hearing on March 7, 1991, including written
and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, and pursuant to
Section 2.24.090 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, this Co~mnission
hereby makes the following findings and facts:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark is particularly
representative of an historic period, type, style, region, or
way of 1 i re.
Fact: For close to fifty years, a restaurant has operated on
this site, representing the importance of Route 66 related
business. Since its beginnings as a Streamline Moderne-styled
care in the early 1940s, and its conversion to a thematic
showpiece in 1956, a unique sense of commercial enterprise has
characterized this site.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO.
LD 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
March 7, 1991
Page 2
B. Historic Architectural and Engineering Significance.
Finding: I. The construction materials or engineering methods
used in the proposed landmark are unusual or significant or
uniquely effective.
Fact: The range of the carefully-crafted detailing on the
Magic Lamp's exterior represents unique and creative efforts.
C. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting.
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark materially benefits the
historic character of the neighborhood.
Fact: Singled out for special attention in the Foothill
Boulevard Specific Plan, the Magic Lamp plays a decisive role
in establishing the outstanding design attributes of the Bear
Gulch area.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark, in its location,
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the
neighborhood, community, or city.
Fact: The Magic Lamp sits prominently on Foothill Boulevard
and serves as an important architectural and business element
to the City.
4. This Conmnission hereby finds that the project has been reviewed
and considered in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs
1, 2, 3, and 4 above, this Commission hereby resolves that pursuant to Chapter
2.24 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, that the Historic Preservation
Conmnission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga hereby recommends approval on the
7th day of March 1991, of Landmark Designation 91-01.
6. The Chairman of this Commission shall certify to the adoption
of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF MARCH 1991.
BY:
Bob Schmidt, Chairman
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COffiISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 7, 1991
TO: Chairman & Members of the Historic Preservation Commission
FROM: Larry J. Henderson, AICP, Principal Planner
BY: Artrhea M. Hartig, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: LANDMARK DESIGNATION 91-01 - THE MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT -
Consideration of an application to designate the Magic
Lamp Restaurant {formerly Lucy and John's Cafe), located
at 8189 Foothill Boulevard, as an Historic Landmark -
APN: 207-113-12 through 14.
I. SITE DESCRIPTION:
A. Location: The Magic Lamp stands on the south side of Foothill
'Boulevard, east of Red Hill Country Club Drive, and north of
San Bernardino Road in the historic Bear Gulch area. The site
slopes south slightly and is approximately 0.56 acres in
size. The restaurants' parking lot - APN's 207-113-15 through
18 covers another' half an acre and is not included in this
landmark appl icati'on.
B. Site Land Use, Zoninl), and the FoOthill Boulevard Specific
P1 an:
Site - Mature cacti, complementary vegetation of a desert
landscape, and a rose garden mark the Magic Lamp's Foothill
Boulevard entrance. Hedges line the eastern entrance while
the remaining portions of the site are less adorned.
Zoning - The Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan pays special
attention to this area, the western entrance to the City. The
Magic Lamp site, along with most of the triangular mass formed
by Foothill Boulevard and San Bernardino Road, and the area
north of the site received a Special ty Commercial
designation. Further to the northwest and southwest, smaller
areas zoned Office exist; and to the extreme south (below San
Bernardino Road) a Medium Residential area is denoted (see
attached Exhibit HPC-1 for Land Use Plan for Subarea 1).
Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan -Noting the natural land
formations, the range of land uses, and various architectural
styles, the Plan calls for a "village" atmosphere for this
portion of Subarea 1. Future development, in line with this
vil 1 age-1 ike tone, should pay attention to the design
EXHI-BIT HPC-3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
LD 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
March 7, 1991
Page 2
vocabulary of the Sycamore Inn and the Magic Lamp Restaurant -
the area's most "architecturally distinctive" buildings -
according to the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan. "The scale
of these restaurant structures," the Plan continues, "will
keynote future architectural harmony for the Bear Gulch
Village" (Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, IV-9.5).
C. Architectural Description: The existing Magic Lamp contains a
number of additions, design vocabularies, massings, and
entrances. According to both oral and written records, a
modest, wooden-framed cafe structure (Lucy and John's} was
extensively and elaborately remodelled and expanded by Frank
Penn and Fred Clearman in 1956-57. Most, if not all of the
structures characteristics noted as exceptional in the
Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan resulted from this
renovation.
A single-story restaurant is backed by a three-story
addition. A patio dining area became a large circular
fireplace/lounge space (which converts to a fountain) encased
by three large, wooden-framed picture windows frontinS onto
Foothill Boulevard. Additional dining rooms and kitchen space
were also added as part of the mid-1950s remodelling and the
new restaurant was encased with intricate brickwork of used
brick, slate and other stones, glazed brick, and burnt brick
laid primarily in common bond. Similar treatment was applied
to the circular fireplace whose chimney exhibits some of the
more detailed masonry work. Unadorned wooden piers on brick
pedestals support a porch-like extension which covers the main
(north) entrance. The wooden door is detailed with large iron
hinge brackets and a small stained glass windew is centered in
the top third of the door.
Penn and Clearman carried this attention to detail throughout
the entire addition. Entrance walkways on both the north and
east entrances are marked by brick pavers and curving, low,
brick walls capped by a header atop a stretcher course. To
the east of the northern doorway, a large, round, stained-
glass window depicts in its center a lamp. Similarly, two
rectangular windows of the same distinctive stained glass
light the room west of the circular fireplace and picture
windows. These tripartite stained glass windows flank
asymmetrically an unadorned door which also faces Foothill
Boulevard.
The low-pitched, intersecting gable roof lines of the 1956
remodelling define not only the structure's massinS but, in
the roofs' detailing, one of the building's more special
characteristics. Upon wood-framed roofs with exposed eave
brackets are red clay tiles stacked in a decorative pattern.
The roof takes on an encrusted appearance unlike an known
regional example, as it is from three to six tiles thi~.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
LD 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
March 7, 1991
Page 3
Also, a part of the 1956 remodelling, a three-story structure
exists as the southern portion of the structure. A
combination living/office space, the two top floors of this
wooden-framed/stucco addition are characterized by multi-paned
(4, 9, 12) metal-framed windows as well as diamond-paned
glazes on the third floors' east side. The first floor of
this structure served as an extension of the kitchen
facilities. Under this addition lies a basement lounge,
accessed by an unadorned stairway and door. A large exterior
fireplace of standard bricks in an asymmetrical, buttressed
shape also characterizes the rear, three-story addition.
Seemingly also from the mid-1950s or perhaps slightly later,
is a two-car garage of the same construction materials
Iwood/stucco) and accessed by two wooden garage doors. A
later llate 1960s-early 1970s) addition was constructed at the
southwest corner of the Magic Lamp site.
Dating from before the Clearman/Penn remodelling is a wooden-
framed/corrugated metal shed or garage which stands
approximately 20 feet south of the restaurant/office/apartment
structure.
An intricate freestanding sign announces the restaurant in the
shape of a "genie's" lamp. The sign proudly dates to the 1956
remodelling.
II. ANALYSIS:
A. Background: As a member of the family who has owned the Magic
Lamp since 1975, and as it's manager, Mr. Anthony Vernola
pursued the landmark designation process after initial contact
with the City regarding the development of property
surrounding the restaurant. Mr. Vernola is also considering
minor alterations to the Magic Lamp structure itself. Living
upstairs and working along with his staff, Mr. Vernola holds a
strong interest in the retention and preservation of the Magic
Lamp.
B. Significance:
Historical - The Bear Gulch area represents one of the richest
continuums of history in the Upland/Rancho Cucamonga region.
First Lucy and John's Cafe, then the Magic Lamp Restaurant, it
symbolizes the importance of Route 66 related activities such
as dining. During the early 1930s, Lucy and John Caferro
owned and ran their cafe further east on Foothill Boulevard,
west of the southwest corner of its intersection with
Archibald Avenue {from data compiled by Chester Frost). Prior
to the opening of the Red Chief Motel and Cafe in 1936, the
Caferros had relocated to a lot across from the new
motorcourt.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
LD 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
March 7, 1991
Page 4
No less an important decade for Route 66 travelling and for
Southern California's growth, the 1950s were characterized by
adventurous architectural expression often centered around a
catch theme. The Magic Lamp, from its flame-producing sign
accentuated in neon to the stained-glass windows depicting
again the lamp, exists as a rare example of such thematically-
inspired building and use. Frank Penn's investment in what
was then an extensive and unique remodelling concept
represented a intensification of the Bear Gulch area's
economic interest in dining establishments.
Architectural - Not yet forty years old, the Magic Lamp
Restaurant exists in this area as a testament to the often
exaggerated, entrepreneurial architectural expression of the
1950s. The roof detailing, lamp sign, and the stained-glass
windows, to name a few, set the Magic Lamp Restaurant apart
from its time.
III. FACTS FOR FINDINGS: In accordance with the Rancho Cucamonga
Municipal Code Section 2.24.090, the following points of
significance pertain to the Magic Lamp Restaurant:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
FINDING: The proposed landmark is particularly representative
of a historical period, type, style, region, or way of life.
FACT: For close to sixty years, a restaurant has operated on
this site, representing the importance of Route 66 related
business. The 1956 remodelling, turning a vernacular care
into a thematic showpiece, represents a unique commercial
zeal.
B. Historic Architectural and Engineering Significance:
FINDING: The construction materials or engineering methods
used in the proposed landmark are unusual significant, or
uniquely effective. '
FACT: The range of the carefully-crafted detailing on the
Magic Lamp's exterior represents unique and creative efforts.
C. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
FINDING: The proposed landmark materially benefits the
historic character of the neighborhood.
FACT: Singled out for special attention in the Foothill
Boulevard Specific Plan, the Magic Lamp plays a decisive role
in establishing the outstanding design attributes of the Bear
Gulch area.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
LD 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
March 7, 1991
Page 5
FINDING: The proposed landmark in its location represents an
established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood,
community, or city.
FACT: The Magic Lamp sits prominently on Foothill Boulevard
and serves as an important architectural and business element
to the City.
IV. CORRESPONDENCE: This item was advertised as a public hearing in
~he Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspaper, the property was
posted, and notices were sent to all property owners within 300
feet of the project site.
V. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Commission designate a
relatively young but architecturally unique Magic Lamp Restaurant
as Landmark 91-01.
Larry J. Henderson, AICP
Principal Planner
LJH: AMH/j fs
Attachments: Exhibit "HPC-I" - Land Use Plan for Subarea 1, Foothill
Boulevard Specific Plan
Exhibit "HPC-2" - Landmark Application
Exhibit "HPC-3" - Photographs
Exhibit "HPC-4" - Site Plan
Resolution of Approval
State of C~lifornia - The Resources Agency Ser. No. ' '
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HABS HAER Loc SHL No,__NR Status
UTM: A C
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY B D
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name: The Maqic Lamp RestOurant
2. Historic name: I_UCV & ,lohn ' ~ C.~fP
3. Street or rural address: B189 Foothill RnulP. vard
City Rancho Cucamonq~ Zip 9173(3 County San Rprnardinn .
4. Parcelnumber: 207-:~13-12, 3,3, & 14
5. Present Owner: p~lt &Mary yernola Address: 16rla u i~,,P.1 At/-,n,,~-
City Up1 and zip ql 7R6 Ownership is: Public Private
6- Present Use: Restaurant/Lounqe Original use: Restaurant
DESCRIPTION
7a, ArChitectural style:
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its
original condition:
The existing Magic Lamp contains a number of additions, massings, and entrances
dating from the 1956 extensive renovation which have obscured the original
wooden care structure. The site consists of a long rectangular, single-storied
wooden-framed portion backed by a three-storied dwelling/office unit. The
restaurant portion's gable roofs vary in pitch and the three-story unit is
topped by a flat roof. During the renovation, the original patio dining area
became a large circular fireplace and lounge encased by three large, wooden-
framed picture windows facing north. Two additional entrances along the north-
east corner were constructed and the entire single-story portion ~vas encased with
intricate brickwork of used brick, slate and other stones, glazed brick, and
burnt brick laid in common bond. Unadorned, 6"x6" posts supported by brick
pedestals hold up a wood framed porch which covers the north' entrance, stained
glass laid in an abstract pattern with a centered "genie's" lamp fill a large
circular and a tripartite rectangular window. Other detailing includes extended
wooden eave memebers and intricate brick entranceways and ~ialls. The tile roof
covering the single-story portion is laid from 4 to 8 tile thick, and particular
attention is drawn to the ~av~ and ~r~tlinP.
Attach Photo Envelope Here 8. Construction date: 1939/1956
Estimated ~ Factual
9, Architect unknnwn
10. Builder unknn~n
11. Approx. property size (in feet)
Frontage .J.BJ~---- Depth 12F~
or approx. acre~gl 0. 56
12. Date(s) of enclosed phOtoqr~
Febrbary
DPR 523 trey. 11/85) 2/~"'~ ~
13. Condition: Excellent Good ,, X Fair Deteriorated , No longer in existence
14. Alterations: ._Ma.ior rehabilitation and ~dditions in ;[956
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land X, Scattered buildings ...... Densely built-up
Residential Industrial.. Commercial X Other:
16. Threats to site: None known _X Private development Zoning Vandalism
Public Works project ... Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? ~ Unknown?
18. Related features: "Magic La D Sien-metal and neon
S;I GN I F ICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and/or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site.)
The Bear Gulch area represents one of the richest continuums of history in the Upland/
Rancho Cucamonga reg.ion. First Lucy and John's Cafe, then the Maaic Lamp Restaurant,
it symbolizes the importance of Route 66 related activities such is dining. During the
early 1930s, Lucy.and John Caferro owned and ran their cafe further easL on Foothill
Boulevard, west of the southwest corner of its intersection with Archibald Avenue. Prior
to the opening of the Red Chief Model and Cafe in 1936, the Caferros had relocated to a
lot across ~rom the new motorcourt. No less an important decade for Route 66 traveling
and for Southrrn California's growth, the 1950s were characterized by adventurous
architectural expression often centered around a catch theme. The Magic Lamp, from its
flame-producing sign accentuated in neon to the stained-glass windows depicting again the
lamp, exists as a rare example of such thematically-inspired building and use. Frank
Penn's investment in what was then an extensive and unique remodelling concept represented
an intensification of the Bear Gulch area's economic interest in dining establishments.
Not yet fort.,, years old, the Magic Lamp Restaurant exists in this area as a testament to
he often exaggerated, entrepreneurial architectural expression of the 1950s. The roof
Jetailing, lamp sign, and the stained-glass windows, to name a few, set the Magic Lamp
Restaurant apart from its time. ..
Locational sketch map (draw and label site and
surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks):
20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is Z~NORTH
checked, number in order of importance.)
Architecture Arts & Leisure
Economic/Industrial X Exploration/Settlement
Government Military
Religion Social/Education
21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews
2/91 and Anthony Vernola 1/91 U
22. Date form prepared February 26, 1991
By (name) Anthea Hartig
Organization
Addres$:
City _ Zip
Phone:
,,
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd AP# 207-113-12,13,1r
View Looking NGrtheast ·
Date of Photo 21 Feb....1991
View Looking East .
Date of Photo 21 Feb, 1991
~v- I~ Exhibit HPC-3
Page I of L=agelO LJH3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 FoOthill 81vd API 207-113-12,13,14
View Looking South .
Date of Pho~:o 21 Fel). 1991
View Looking North
I I
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
A-' / 9 Exhibit HPC-3
Page 2 of DagelO LJH3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd API 207-113-12,13,14
View Looking West ·
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
Exhibit HPC-3
Paqe.3. of Pactel0
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd API 207-113-12,13,14
View Looki ng South .
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
Exhibit HPC-3
Page 4 of PagelO LJH3
m~mm
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd AP# 207'-113-12,13,14
V~ew Looking North ·
Date of Photo 21 Feb, 1991
A '~ 2 2-- Exhibit HPC-3
Page5 of PagelO LJH3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd API 207-113-12,13,14
]/tow Looking West .
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
/~ _ ] .~ Exhibit HPC-3
Page~ of Page10' LJH3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd APt 207-113-12,13,14
View Looking East .
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
A' 2Y't' Exhibit HPC-3
· Page~ of PagelO LJH3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd API 207-113-12,13,14
III I
!
View LooM rig Southwest .
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
A"2 ~ Exhibit HPC-3
Page 8 of Page10 LJH3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8189 FOothill Blvd AP1207-113-12,13,14
View Looking Northwest .
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
· /~'~--~ Exhibit HPC-3
Page,~,9 of Page!O LJH3
MMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
View Looki ng SOuth .
Date of Photo 21 Feb. 1991
A "2 ::7" Exhibit HPC-3
PagelO of PagelO LJH3
Grove Avenue
~
~ I
s Re~ Hill Country Club Drive
....
~- -~~//~
~~ /
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF
HISTORIC LANDMARK 91-01 TO DESIGNATE THE MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
IFORMERLY LUCY AND JOHN'S CAFE), LOCATED AT 8189 FOOTHILL
BOULEVARD, AS AN HISTORIC LANDMARK - APN: 207-113-12 THROUGH
14.
A. Recitals.
(i ) Anthony Vernol a and the City of Rancho Cucamonga have filed an
application for an Historic Landmark as described in the title of this
Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Historic Landmark is
referred to as "the application."
(ii) On March 7, 1991, the Historic Preservation Con~ission of the
City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the
appl icati on.
(iii) All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this
Resolution have occurred.
B. Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the
Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows:
1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts
set forth in the Recitals, Part "A", of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. The application applies to approximately 0.56 acres of land, in
a rectangular configuration, located at 8189 Foothill Boulevard and all
structures including signs. '
3. Based upon substantial evidence presented to this Commission
during the above-referenced public hearing on March 7, 1991, including written
and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, and pursuant to
Section 2.24.090 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, this Commission
hereby makes the following findings and facts:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark is particularly
representative of an historic period, type, style, region or
way of 1 i fe. '
Fact: For close to sixty years, a restaurant has operated on
this site, representing the importance of Route 66 related
business. The 1956 remodelling, turning a vernacular cafe into
a thematic showpiece, represents a unique commercial zeal.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO.
LD 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
March 7, 1991
Page 2
B. Historic Architectural and Engineering Significance.
Finding: 1. The construction materials or engineering methods
used in the proposed landmark are unusual or significant or
uniquely effective.
Fact: The range of the carefully-crafted detailing on the
Magic Lamp's exterior represents unique and creative efforts.
C. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting.
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark materially benefits the
historic character of the neighborhood.
Fact: Singled out for special attention in the Foothill
Boulevard Specific Plan, the Magic Lamp plays a decisive role
in establishing the outstanding design attributes of the Bear
Gulch area.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark, in its location,
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the
neighborhood, community, or city.
Fact: The Magic Lamp sits prominently on Foothill Boulevard
and serves as an important architectural and business element
to the City.
4. This Commission hereby finds that the project has been reviewed
and considered in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs
1, 2, 3, and 4 above, this Commission hereby resolves that pursuant to Chapter
2.24 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, that the Historic Preservation
Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga hereby recommends approval on the
7th day of March 1991, of Landmark Designation 91-01.
6. The Chairman of this Commission shall certify to the adoption
of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF MARCH 1991.
BY:
Bob Schmidt, Chairman
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COII4ISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
A -5o
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF
HISTORIC LANDMARK 91-01 TO DESIGNATE THE MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
(FORMERLY LUCY AND JOHN'S CAFE), LOCATED AT 8189 FOOTHILL
BOULEVARD, AS AN HISTORIC LANDMARK - APN: 207-113-12 THROUGH
A. Recitals.
(i) Anthony Vernola and the City of Rancho Cucamonga have filed an
application for an Historic Landmark as described in the title of this
Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Historic Landmark is
referred to as "the application."
(ii) On April 4, 1991, the Historic Preservation Comntission of the
City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the
application.
(iii) All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this
Resolution have occurred.
B. Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the
Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows:
1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts
set forth in the Recitals, Part "A", of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. The application applies to approximately 0.56 acres of land, in
a rectangular configuration, located at 8189 Foothill Boulevard, and all
structures including signs, brick walls, and brick paving.
3. Based upon substantial evidence presented to this Commission
during the above-referenced public hearing on April 4, 1991, including written
and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, and pursuant to
Section 2.24-090 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, this Commission
hereby makes the following findings and facts:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
Finding: 1- The proposed landmark is particularly
representative of an historic period, type, style, region, or
way of life.
Fact: For close to fifty years, a restaurant has operated on
this site, representing the importance of Route 66 related
business. Since its beginnings as a Streantline Moderne-styled
cafe in the early 1940s, and its conversion to a thematic
showpiece in 1956, a unique sense of commercial enterprise has
characterized this site.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO.
LD 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
April 4, 1991
Page 2
B. Historic Architectural and Engineering Significance.
Finding: 1. The construction materials or engineering methods
used in the proposed landmark are unusual or significant or
uniquely effective.
Fact: The range of the carefully-crafted detailing on the
Magic Lamp's exterior represents unique and creative efforts.
C. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting.
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark materially benefits the
historic character of the neighborhood.
Fact: Singled out for special attention in the Foothill
Boulevard Specific Plan, the Magic Lamp plays a decisive role
in establishing the outstanding design attributes of the Bear
Gulch area.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark, in its location,
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the
neighborhood, community, or city.
Fact: The Magic Lamp sits prominently on Foothill Boulevard
and serves as an important architectural and business element
to the City.
4. This Commission hereby finds that the project has been reviewed
and considered in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs
1, 2, 3, and 4 above, this Commission hereby resolves that pursuant to Chapter
2.24 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, that the Historic Preservation
Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga hereby recommends approval on the
4th day of April 1991, of Landmark Designation 91-01.
6. The Chairman of this Commission shall certify to the adoption
of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF APRIL 1991.
BY:
Bob Schmidt, Chairman
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 4, 1991
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation
Commission
FROM: Larry Henderson, Principal Planner
BY: Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: LANDMARK DESIGNATION 91-02 - THE "LUCAS" HOUSE - a
proposal to designate the "Lucas House", located at 8068
Archibald Avenue, as an historic landmark -
APN: 208-153-01.
I. SITE DESCRIPTION:
A. Location: The structure known as the Lucas House sits on Lot
21 of the Lucas and Ward Subdivision, on the southwest corner
of Estacia Court and Archibald Avenue. The site is level and
measures 59 feet (frontage) by 150 feet (depth) (see
Exhibit "HPC-I" for a site plan).
B. Site Land Use, Zoning, and the Foothill Boulevard Specific
Plan: The site fronts onto Archibald Avenue and is not fenced
or gated. Mature trees, cement walkways, and turf
characterize the structures north, west, and east
landscaping. A modern, cinder-block retail/co~nercial
building lies just 5 feet south of the home. A detached
structure converted into a two-car garage lies west of the
dwelling unit and faces Estacia Court.
Zoning: The property falls within the Specialty Commercial
zone designated for the "activity center" of Foothill
Boulevard's intersection with Archibald Avenue. As well, land
to the north and west property is zoned Specialty Commercial;
further to the west a utility land use is occupied by the
Cucamonga County Water District. A Community Commercial area
lies to the east of the site.
Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan: As one of the three
"Specialty Commercial Activity Centers" called out for by the
Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, the future development of
the Archibald Avenue intersection receives detailed
attention. Under this zoning, the Foothill Boulevard Specific
Plan stresses uses "which promote a special landmark quality
or creates a special ambience, which is unique to a particular
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 91-02 - LUCAS HOUSE
April 4, 1991
Page 2
subarea" (FBSP, 11-6.2). Named "Cucamonga Towne Center" by
the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, the intersections will
serve as the "primary focus for Foothill Boulevard" and take
on an urban design vocabulary - namely, one which emphasizes a
continuous row or cluster of buildings; pedestrian circulation
with parking lots set away from such activity; and multiple
stoned structures accented with courtyards, towers, and
trellis work (FBSP IV-9.36-37). The goal of the "Cucamonga
Towne Center's" architectural imagery "will be to create an
ultimately-scaled retail district that will emphasize the
quality of the pedestrian shopping experience" (FBSP,
IV-9.37).
The Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan lists the structure
located at the southwest corner of Estacia Court and Archibald
Avenue as one which "can be incorporated into future
development proposals" (FBSP, 11.5.6).
C. Architectural Description:
The house consists of one square structure with three
additions, and began as a wood frame structure on a field
stone foundation with what appears to to be a pyramid roof
with front-facing gable dormers on the northeast and the
southwest corners. Classical treatment was applied with large
one-over-one double hung paned windows and classical molding
on the overhanging eaves. By 1913, however, a back bay was
added to the pyramid roof structure creating a hip-roof
structure with a north facing gable; the addition was
completed around the turn of the century, not very long after
the original house was finished (per Sandborne map 2, 1913).
Much later. two shed portions were added. The first was on the
north side which filled in the space left by the added gable
wing on the back (per Sandborne map 12, 1929). This addition
is characterized by series of double-paned sliding windows
with wooden surrounds and some decorative moldings which
compliment the existing windows. The second shed roof portion
was added on the west side (back) of the house, and is
characterized by a series of fixed-pane windows creating a
"sun room" extension. A central door and exposed roof rafters
also mark the rear addition.
The 1913 and 1929 Sandborne maps depict an outbuilding to the
west of the dwelling, today it has been converted to a two-car
garage. Relatively unadorned wood siding and simple single
paned windows and two doors characterize this structure. This
also has been perhaps the guest or work room.
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 91-02 - LUCAS HOUSE
April 4, 1991
Page 3
The front (east) of the house exhibits the most architectural
detailing. A partial, arched, two-bay front porch creates the
entrance from which the front door, being a side door is
accessed. The front porch rests on battered square wooden
columns with simple molding detailing. A large six-paned
window with a decorative diamond pattern on the upper third of
the window and then a fixed solid pane on the lower two-thirds
dominates the east elevation. The two front steps leading up
to the porch and then to the entrance are of recent poured
concrete. No chimneys are visibly noticeable. The
classification of architectural style would be "Folk
Victorian".
II. ANALYSIS
A. Background: Misters Jim Hawn and Bill Taylor are working on
behalf of the Gonzales family to preserve and reuse the
site. The Gonzales hope to operate an antiques store in the
structure, a permitted use under the Foothill Boulevard
Specific Plan's Specialty Commercial zoning, and have made
improvements to the site and the structure since purchasing it
in 1988.
B. Significance - Historical: When E.T. Wright surveyed the
Cucamonga Town site in 1886, he used the Southern Pacific
Railroad as his base line. At the southeast corner of
Section 3, Wright noted a residence at the corner of two newly
created streets known today as Archibald Avenue and Estacia
Court (see Exhibit HPC-2). It is unclear from the 1886 survey
who owned this corner parcel; J. Smith and members of the
Moote family along with the Havens, Millikens, Turners,
Martinoviches and the Marsicanos had claimed land in Sections
3, 2, 10, and 11. These families and others pioneered the
lands owned by the Cucamonga Fruitland Company.
Ownership of the site and structure can be determined by
C-1914 records. C.T. Brown and L.A. Downings sold to the
Lucas and Ward families, the parcels west of Archibald Avenue,
north of the new State Highway (Foothill Boulevard), east of
what would become Klusman Avenue, south of (Estacia) Court
including two parcels on the north side (see Exhibit HPC-3).
The 1913 Sandborne maps depict the subject structure and
carefully denote the orange groves, bakery, paint and hardware
store, wagon and repair shops, post office, bank, lodge and
public hall which were clustered around San Bernardino
Avenue's intersection with Archibald Avenue (see
Exhibit HPC-4). Houses which stood on smaller, more urban
lots were often lived in by local merchants and their
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 91-02 - LUCAS HOUSE
April 4, 1991
Page 4
families. Commissioner Billings recalls, for instance, that
the Fred Owings family rented the "Lucas" house for years -
Mr. Owings was the town barber.
The property changed hands rapidly after Lucas and Ward
subdivided the area. In 1921, H.J. and Christine Kliever sold
to Walter Hirst of Cucamonga a 104-foot by 693-foot strip
along Archibald Avenue between San Bernardino and the State
Highway which included the subject structure. Walter Hirst, a
year later in 1922, purchased the remainder of the Lucas and
Ward subdivision from H. Thomas and his wife Ida. Seemingly,
Mr. Hirst over-extended himself, for in 1926 Security Title
Insurance and Guarantee Company took the property sold to
Hirst by the Thomas family as collateral for "payment of the
indebtedness evidenced by four (4) promisory notes (and any
renewal or extension thereof)."
Mr. Hirst held onto his property and in 1930 sold it to Henry
and Olga Klusman, thus helping to consolidate the then
extensive Klusman family holdings. The house on Lot 21 of the
subdivision was sold by the Klusman's to John and Lucia
Nosenzo (owners of Lucy & John's) in 1941. Rose Nosenzo Burns
recalls that her family first rented the house from
approximately 1936-1941 and then moving to their
newly-constructed home and restaurant (Lucy and John's) on
Foothill Boulevard. After her husband's death, Lucy and her
daughter Rose Burns and husband Donald Burns sold the lot and
house to Antonio and Matilda Smiderle in 1952. The present
owners Louis and Yong Cha Gonzales purchased the property from
the widowed Mrs- Smiderle in 1988.1
The site's history thus stretches back to include the
beginning of the Cucamonga township as a small citrus growing
center. Although its earliest ownership has not been
conclusively determined, the site remains an important link to
the area's past.
Architectural: The home represents a vehicular expression of
Victorian-era attitudes toward design. This so-called "Folk
Victorian" style is characterized "by the presence of
victorian decorative detailing on simple folk house forms."2
The house was built as a simple square structure with a
partial length porch decorated by columned arches and topped
with a pyramidal roof. By 1913, per Sandborne map no. 2, the
1 Staff is grateful to Bill Taylor for his extensive research at the
San Bernardino County Recorder's Office.
2 Virginia and Lee McAlister, A Field Guide to American Houses, New
York, 1988, pp. 309-310.
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 91-02 - LUCAS HOUSE
April 4, 1991
Page 5
back wing had been added, carefully built to match the
existing portion.
Later, the house grew to accommodate the needs of other
families who gave the structure its current configuration,
adding the west and north shed portions and probably
remodeling the stable/garage (see Exhibit HPC-5 for a sketch
of the structure's evolution).
III. FACTS FOR FINDINGS:
A. Historical and Cultural:
Finding: The proposed landmark is particularly representative
of an historic period, type, style, region, or way of life.
Fact: As one of a few remaining structures composing the
early Cucamonga Town Center, the Hirst/Klusman/Nosenzo house
remains a critical link to understanding the historic
composition of the area.
Finding: The proposed landmark is an example of a type of
building which was once co~non but is now rare. The proposed
landmark is of greater age than most of its kind.
Fact: Early building in the Cucamonga townsite was spurred by
the availability of pre-cut lumber via railroad and influenced
by the prevailing agricultural imagery of the Victorian era.
Although many residential and commercial structures existed in
the town center c.1900 only a few remain.
B. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
Finding: The proposed landmark materially benefits the
historic character of the neighborhood. The proposed landmark
in its location represents an established and familiar visual
feature of the neighborhood, community, or city.
Fact: The Hirst/Klusman/Nosenzo house is one of the few
remnants of the citrus downtown in Cucamonga and it has
retained many of its distinguishing architectural features.
IV. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends designating the "Lucas" House,
perhaps more appropriately referred to as the Hirst/Klusman/Nosenzo
house, as a local landmark by the adoption of the attached
Resolution. Staff does not include the stable/garage structure
lying west of the house as part of the landmark designation as it
has undergone a series of alterations which have obscured its
integrity.
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 91-02 - LUCAS HOUSE
April 4, 1991
Page 6
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Henderson
Principal Planner
LH:AH:mlg
Attachments: Exhibit "HPC-I" - Site Plan
Exhibit "HPC-2" - 1886 Survey Map
Exhibit "HPC-3" - Lucas/Ward Subdivision Map
Exhibit "HPC-4" - Sandborne Map, 1913
Exhibit "HPC-5" - Sketch of Evolution of House
Exhibit "HPC-6" - Landmark Application
Exhibit "HPC-7" - Photographs
Resolution
San Bernardino Road
E Estacia Court
DESIGNATION SITE
Foothill Boulevard
C~ty of Rancho Cucamonga~T~4: "t5,"t..>. ~-c,2.
Historic Preservation TFFLE: ,..~q-.~ .]>l~u/t 3N -
{~.t~ EXHIBFF:~_.~[ SCALE:
City of Rancho Cucamonga
Application for
HISTORIC LANDMAR .rESIGNATION
HISTORIC POINT OF INTEREST DESIGNATION
X Historic Landmark Historic Point of Interest
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common Name: Archibald House - Lucas Home
2. Historic Name, if known: Lunas Home
3. Street or Rural Address: 8068 Archibald Avenue
City:Rancho Cucamonga Zip: 9173Q county: SanBernardino
Assessor's Parcel No. 208-153-01 Zone: SC
Legal Description:Lucas and Ward Sub Lot 21 Exs STS
4. Present Owner, if known:Louis A. GonzalesAddress: 9768 Palo Alto
City:R. Cucamonga Zip: 91730 Ownership is: public
private X
5. Present Use: Vacant Original Use: Home
Other past uses: None knowT,
DESCRIPTION
6. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations from its original
condition: Victorian-Era woodsided blue house with white
trim and highlights. Garage tYPe OUt building 8Bd rear
porch was added at underminate time,
7. Location sketch map (draw & label 8. Approximate property size:
site and surrounding streets,
roads, and prominent landmarks): Lot Size (in feet )
Frontage 59
Depth 150
or approx. acreage ,24
9. Condition: (check one)
P a. Excellent b. Good X
~ c Fair d. Deteriorated
:: .
'Z i e. No longer in existence
~' ~ 10. Is the feature: a. Altered?
_C ~ b Unaltered? X
.ff .
w 11. Surroundings: (check more than
2 ~C~, ~2n~-A~ ~; ~, one if necessary )
....... /,~ a. Open land
~i ! b. Residential X
~ ~ c. Scattered buildings
vJ F [~ d. Densely built-up.__
-~,'i e. Commercial X
~L] ~=L'~{~i~I ~/(i ; f. Industrial
g. Other
12. Threats to Site:
a. None known X b. Private development__ c. Zoning
d. Public Works Project e. Vandalism f. Other
13. Dates of enclosed photograph(s)
NOTE: The following (Items 14-19) are for structures only.
14. Primary exterior building material: a. Stone b. Brick
c. Stucco d. Adobe e. Wood X f. O~her
15. Is the Structure: a. On its original site? yes
b. Moved? c. Unknown?
16. Year of Initiil Construction: 1890
This Date is: a. Factual b. Es%imated X
17. Architect (if known): Unknown
18. Builder (if known): Unknown
19. Related Features: a. Barn b. Carri&ge house
c. Outhouse d. Shed(s) e. Formal Garden(s)
f. Windmill g. Watertower/tankhouse
h. Other ~r~¢ i. None
SIGNIFICANCE
20. Briefly s~ate historical and/or irchitectural importance (include
dates, events, and persons associated with the site when known):
One of the last standin~ reminders of Cucamon~a's original
downtown. HouSe appearS very old with Victorian era
overtones characterized by a steep hip and ~able roof, arches,
~able detail, porch arches and large multi-light windows.
21. Mlin theme of the historic resource: (check only one):
a. Architecture X b. Ar~s & Leisure
c. Economic/Industrial d. Government
e. Explora~ion/Se~lemen~ f. Military
g. Religion h. Social/Education
22.Sources: Lis~ books, documents, surveys, personal interviews,
and Eheir da=es: poorhill Boulevard SDecif~Q Plan Summary
COmmunity DeveloPment Department. Plannin~ Division
23. Date form prepared By (name):Jim Hawn - Bill Taylor
Address: 807~ Archibald City:Rancho C~camon[a Zip:91730
Phone: (714~ 980-$~0 Organization: Private
City Use Only
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP# 208-153-01
View Looking SOUT!~I. . Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
View Lookin~S OUT H W E S. T)ate of Photo 21 M ARC H 1991 I
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE AP~ 208-153-01
View Looking WEST . Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
View Looking EAST Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP# 208-153-01
View Looking SOUT}t . Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
I -ILe
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP# 208-153-01
View Looking WEST . Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
I
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP~ 208-153-01
View Looking NORTH . Da~ofPhoto 21 MARCH 1991
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
· Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP# 208-153-01
View LookingSOUTHEASl)ate of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP# 208-153-01
View Looking NORTH . Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
o
Illl
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMM/SSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AI~ 208-153-01
View Looking -N.W. . Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1.991
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP# 208-153-01
View LookingNORTHEAS'l~ate of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
View Looking WEST . Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991 !
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
· Address: 8068 ARCHIBALD AVE. AP~ 208-153-01
[
View LookingSOUTHWE S'Date of Photo 21 MARCH 1991
I
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION LANDMARK SURVEY
Address: 806~ ARCHIBALD AVE. AP# 208-153-01
View LookingNORT HWE STDate of Photo 21 MARCH 1.991
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF
HISTORIC LANDMARK 91-02 TO DESIGNATE THE HIRST/KLUSMAN/NOSENZO
HOUSE, LOCATED AT 8068 ARCHIBALD AVENUE, AS A LANDMARK -
APN: 208-153-01.
A. Recitals.
(i) Misters Jim Hawn and Bill Taylor have filed an application for
a Landmark as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this
Resolution, the subject Landmark is referred to as "the application."
(ii) On April 4, 1991, the Historic Preservation Con~nission of the
City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the
application.
(iii) All legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution
have occurred.
B. Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined and resolved by the
Historic Preservation of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows:
1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts
set forth in the Recitals, Part "A", of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. The application applies to the main habitable structure on the
approximately 0.24 acres of land, basically a rectangular configuration,
located at 8068 Archibald Avenue.
3. Based upon substantial evidence presented to this Commission
during the above-referenced public hearing on April 4, 1991, including written
and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, and pursuant to
Section 2.24.090 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, this Co~nission
hereby makes the following findings and facts:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark is particularly representative
of an historic period, type, style, region, or way of life.
Fact: As one of a few remaining structures composing the early
Cucamonga Town Center, the Hirst/Klusman/Nosenzo house remains a
critical link to understanding the historic composition of the area.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark is an example of a type of
building which was once common but is now rare. The proposed
landmark is of greater age than most of its kind.
HPC RESOLUTION NO.
LD 91-02 - LUCAS HOUSE
April 4, 1991
Page 2
Fact: Early building in the Cucamonga townsite was spurred by the
availability of pre-cut lumber via railroad and influenced by the
prevailing agricultural imagery of the Victorian era. Although many
residential and commercial structures existed in the town center at
1900 only a few remain.
B. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
Finding: 3- The proposed landmark materially benefits the historic
character of the neighborhood. The proposed landmark in its
location represents an established and familiar visual feature of
the neighborhood, community, or city.
Fact The Hirst/Klusman/Nosenzo house is one of the few remnants of
the citrus downtown in Cucamonga and it has retained many of its
distinguishing architectural features.
4. This Commission hereby finds that the project has been reviewed
and considered for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970.
5- Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs
1, 2, 3, and 4 above, this Commission hereby resolves that pursuant to Chapter
2.24 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, that the Historic Preservation
Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga hereby recommends approval on the
4th day of April 1991, of Landmark Application.
6. The Chairman of this Co~nission shall certify to the adoption
of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF APRIL 1991.
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 4, 1991
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation
Commission
FROM: Larry Henderson, Principal Planner
BY: Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT 90-02 - HIX DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION - Consideration of plans in compliance with
previous Conditions of Approval for alterations to the
property, landscaping, and main residence of the Lord
House, located at 6797 Hellman Avenue - APN: 202-061-12.
I. PROJECT AND SITE DESCRIPTION:
A. Background: The Lord House received landmark status in June
of 1988 and the Commission reviewed the Lanam~rk Alteration
Permit in March and April of 1990 (see attached Staff Reports,
Exhibit ~PC-2). During the permit hearings, the Commission
recommended that the applicant/owner, Hix Development, design
the proposed streets in order to reduce the potential impact
on the landmarked resource. Per Resolution No. 90-03
(Exhibit-I), Hix Development has now submitted plans detailing
the approved modifications for the house and site. Please
reference the enclosed plans and Exhibit HPC-3 -
correspondence and application from Bob Yoder, General
Manager, Hix Development. Note: On the second page of the
plans, the "front" elevation is that facing south, and thus
the "rear" elevation faces north, etc.
As noted, Hix Development has expressed a genuine interest in
entering into a Mills Act Contract for the Lord House and
lot. Mr. Yoder would like to include as much of the specified
landscape maintenance (Condition 4 of the Resolution) in a
Mills Act contract which he and staff are currently
developing.
B. Review of Proposed Alterations:
Street Layout- Per Commission Resolution, the Lord House in
the proposed Tentative Tract 14192, will sit on a large corner
lot and will not be surrounded by three streets.
HPC STAFF REPORT
LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT 90-02
April 4, 1991
Page 2
New Garage - Hix Development has proposed the addition of a
new two-car garage 10 feet to the east of the Lord House. A
square structure with bard and batton siding, the garage has
been designed to compliment the Lord House's architectural
features. The garage doors face south and thus are not
visible from the proposed street; a driveway east of the
structure would provide access to the garage. Staff suggests
a few changes to the details of the proposed garage, please
see Exhibit HPC-4 for specifications. The door and windows
should emulate the Lord House more specifically, highlighting
its multi-paned window patterns and paneled doors; all windows
should be wooden-framed. Fenestration should be carried to
the east, "right," elevation as to conform to the City's "360
degree architecture" standard and to the historic feel of
turn-of-the-century out buildings.
Fencing - For the west and north perimeter, Hix Development
proposes river rock columns with white wrought iron inserts.
Staff would further specify that these columns be of real
rock.
The proposed slumpblock wall along the lot's east and south
perimeters, while providing needed privacy, seems to reduce
the site's integrity. Staff suggests that the rock pilasters
with grey or white slump stone be continued around the east
and south property lines. The removal of the existing
perimeter and other chain link fencing meet with staff's
approval.
Proposed Landscape Alterations - Staff concurs with the
specified clean-up of undergrowth landscaping, removal of
gravel from drive areas, and trimming of existing shrubbery.
Staff will defer to a City-chosen arborist's decision on the
health of mature landscaping.
Per the conditions of Tentative Tract 14192, three Canary
Island Date Palms, one Mexican Fan Palm, and one English
Walnut will be relocated to the Lord House site and two Blue
Gum Eucalyptus trees will be replaced with 15-gallon Spotted
Gum Eucalyptus. The existing row of palms along the northern
perimeter of the site will be preserved and thus further
complimented by the relocated row along the western perimeter.
Proposed Demolition - Per the approved tract map, the existing
stable/garage and storage shelter will be demolished.
Although once contributors, these structures have undergone
serious damage and no longer are contributing elements to the
site's integrity.
HPC STAFF REPORT
LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT 90-02
April 4, 1991
Page 3
II. RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Commission consider the Landmark
Alternation Permit submitted for compliance to the Conditions of
Approval by Hix Development in light of the modifications proposed
in Section IB of this report. It is further put forth that a
Landscape Maintenance Agreement be drawn after or with an approved
Mills Act contract.
Finally, staff recommends that the Commission direct staff to
review and approve as recommended in this report all proposed
alterations for the project, including but not limited to paving,
fencing, painting, and clearing.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Henderson, AICP
Principal Planner
LH:AH:js
Attachments: Exhibit HPC-I: Resolution of Approval 90-03
Exhibit HPC-2: Staff Reports, April and March 1988
Exhibit HPC-3: Letter and Application from B- Yoder,
February 1991
Exhibit HPC-4: Proposed Alternative Garage Details
RESOLUTION NO. 90-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT NO. 90-04, THE
LORD HOUSE, LOCATED AT 6797 HELLMAN AVENUE - APN:
202-061-12.
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has held a duly
advertised public hearing to consider all comments on the proposed Landmark
Designation.
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has received and
reviewed all input regarding said Landmark Alteration Permit.
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this
Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Historic Preservation Commission hereby
specifically finds, determines, and resolves as follows:
SECTION I: The application applies to the modifications as
indicated by the applicant's letter dated February 12, 1990, with the
structure and property located at Assessor's Parcel No. 202-061-12, and as
modified by the Historic Preservation Commission at their hearing on March 1
1990. ,
SECTION II: Based upon substantial evidence presented to this
Commission during the above referenced public hearing on March l, 1990,
including written and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, this
Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
A. That the proposed action is consistent with the purpose of
Chapter 2.24 of the City Municipal Code and;
B. That the proposed action will not be detrimental to the
structure from a significant aesthetic, cultural, architectural,
or engineering interest or value of an historic nature and;
C. That the action proposed is necessary to assure the continued
and consistent maintenance and condition of the structure.
SECTION III: This Landmark Alteration Permit is exempt from CEQA
(Article 10, Section 15301).
EXHIBIT HPC-1
HPC RESOLUTION NO. 90-03
LAP 90-04 -'LORD HOUSE
April 5, 1990
Page 2
SECTION IV: Based on the substantial evidence received and reviewed
by this Commission and based on the findings set forth above,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rancho Cucamonga Historic
Preservation Commission does hereby approve Landmark Alteration Permit 90-04,
the Lord House, as described in the March I 1990 Staff Report with the
following conditions: ' ,
1. Alterations and rehabilitation shall comply with the plans and
specifications provided within the Staff Report dated March 1,
1990 and consist of the modifications indicated in
Alternative C, the Alternate Tract Map and further refined in
Exhibit "A" and attached hereto.
2. This approval shall expire, unless extended by the Historic
Preservation Commission, if the modifications as indicated have
not been completed within 24 months from the date of approval.
3. Detail plan for the approved modifications to the site and
structure, including fencing and architectural revisions, shall
be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission for their
review and approval prior to the issuance of any building
permits for said tract. Implementation of the plans by the
Historic Preservation Commission shall be prior to occupancy
being released for model homes for the subject tract.
4. The applicant shall provide the City with a detailed landscape
maintenance agreement for the property, prepared to the
satisfaction of the City Attorney and City Planner, establishing
minimum standards for landscape maintenance as well as a
five-year performance guarantee.
-APPROVE~ AND ADOPTED THIS 5TH DAY OF APRIL, 1990.
Bob Schmidt, Chairman
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ARNER, BANKS, BILLINGS, COOPER, HASKVITZ, PRESTON,
SCHMIDT
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 5, 1990
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation Commission
FROM: Larry J. Henderson, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT APPLICATION 90-04 - Consideration of
revisions to resolution and Exhibit A
I. BACKGROUND: Landmark Alteration Permit 90-04, the Lord House, was
approved by the Historic Preservation Commission on March !, 1990. At the
previous public hearing, the Historic Preservation Commission made several
modifications to the draft Resolution. Attached to this memorandum is the
revised resolution prepared in accordance with the previous comments of
the Commission.
In addition to the attached Resolution, the applicant, Hix Development
Company, has submitted a revised tract layout which staff believes is in
conformance with the ultimate track design previously given in the March
!, !990 staff report. A copy of a portion of the applicants revised tract
map is attached as Exhibit "A". In staff's opinion, this exhibit
illustrates compliance with the Historic Preservation Commission's
previous action to approve Alternative C with the alternative tract
design. A copy of the previous alternative tract design is attached for
reference and comparison.
II. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Historic Preservation Commission
approve the attached Resolution and Exhibit A thereby formally approving
landmark alteration permit 90-04, the Lord House.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry j. Henderson, AICP
Principal Planner
LJH/jfs
Attachments: Exhibit "A" -
Alternate Tract Design
Resolution of Approval
uwwlleH "' ~ 0 I~.
0 ~ .---
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT NO. 90-04, THE
LORD HOUSE, LOCATED AT 6797 HELLMAN AVENUE - APN:
202-061-12.
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has held a duly
advertised public hearing to consider all comments on the proposed Landmark
Designation.
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has received and
reviewed all input regarding said Landmark Alteration Permit.
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this
Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Historic Preservation Commission hereby
specifically finds, determines, and resolves as follows:
SECTION I: The application applies to the modifications as
indicated by the applicant's letter dated February 12, 1990, with the
structure and property located at Assessor's Parcel No. 202-061-12, and as
modified by the Historic Preservation Commission at their hearing on March 1
1990. ,
SECTION II: Based upon substantial evidence presented to this
Commission during the above referenced public hearing on March l, 1990,
including written and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, this
Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
A. That the proposed action is consistent with the purpose of
Chapter 2.24 of the City Municipal Code and;
B. That the proposed action will not be detrimental to the
structure from a significant aesthetic, cultural, architectural,
or engineering interest or value of an historic nature and;
C. That the action proposed is necessary to assure the continued
and consistent maintenance and condition of the structure.
SECTION III: This Landmark Alteration Permit is exempt from CEQA
(Article 10, Sectio~ 15301).
HPC RESOLUTION NO.
LAP 90-04 LORD HOUSE
April 5, 1990
Page 2
SECTION IV: Based on the substantial evidence received and reviewed
by this Commission and based on the findings set forth above,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rancho Cucamonga Historic
Preservation Commission does hereby approve Landmark Alteration Permit 90-04,
the Lord House, as described in the March 1 1990 Staff Report, with the
following conditions: '
1. Alterations and rehabilitation shall comply with the plans and
specifications provided within the Staff Report dated March 1,
1990 and consist of the modifications indicated in
Alternative C, the Alternate Tract Map and further refined in
Exhibit "A" and attached hereto.
2. This approval shall expire, unless extended by the Historic
Preservation Commission, if the modifications as indicated have
not been completed within 24 months from the date of approval.
3. Detail plan for the approved modifications to the site and
structure, including fencing and architectural revisions, shall
be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission for their
review and approval prior to the issuance of any building
permits for said tract. Implementation of the plans by the
Historic Preservation Commission shall be prior to occupancy
being released for model homes for the subject tract.
4. The applicant shall provide the City with a detailed landscape
maintenance agreement for the property, prepared to the
satisfaction of the City Attorney and City Planner, establishing
minimum standards for landscape maintenance as well as a
five-year performance guarantee.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 5TH DAY OF APRIL, 1990.
BY:
Bob Schmidt, Chairman
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
CITY OF RANCH0 CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 1, 1990
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation
Comm i ss i on
FROM: Larry Henderson, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT APPLICATION 90-02 - HIX
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - Consideration of alterations to
the property, landscaping, and main residence of the Lord
House, located at 6797 Hellman Avenue - APN.' 202-061-12.
I. SITE DESCRIPTION:
A. Location: The house is located on a 4.7 acre parcel on the
east side of Hellman Avenue, 332 feet south of 19th Street.
It is set back considerably from Hellman.
B. Site Land Uses~ Zoninq~ General Plan Desi.qnation: The site is
a single family house on a 4.7 acre lot. It is zoned Low
Density Residential (2-4 dwelling units per acre) and has a
Low Density Residential designation on the General Plan.
C. Surroundin.q Land Use - Zoninq - General Plan Desi.~nation:
North - Vacant; Zoning and General Plan designations are Low
Density Residential.
South - Vacant; Zoning and General Plan designations are Low
Density Residential.
East - Vacant; Zoning and General Plan designations are Low
Density Residential.
West - Single Family Houses; Zoning and General Plan
designations are Low Density Residential.
D. Description: The site is lushly landscaped with a variety of
mature trees that set the property off from the surrounding
area. It adds to the rural ambience of Hellman as a country
road lined with heavy vegetation. The house itself is barely
visible from the street. Remnants from an orange grove and
other trees fill the deep front setback. An enormous Deodar
Cedar rises in front, in addition to a few e~#calyptus and at
least a dozen tall palm trees. There is a circular gravel
driveway on the side which extends along the side of the
house. The house does need some repair and restoration but
maintains the appearance of a Victorian farmhouse, classified
as Folk Victorian. It is covered with a board and batton
siding, has a combination simple hipped roof over the major
portion of the house and a pyramidal hipped section. Turned
HPC STAFF REPORT
LAPA 90-02 - HIX DEVEL. CORP.
March 1, 1990
Page 2
porch posts etch the porches which are on three sides of the
front section of the house.
E. Previous Action: The Lord House was designated an Historic
Landmark on June 15, !988 by the City Council. A copy of the
Historic Preservation Commission's previous Landmark
Application Staff Report, dated June 15, 1988, is attached for
reference. It is noted that this house came to our attention
originally for landmark consideration when a realtor contacted
the City staff about the property and the potential of
marketing the site for a future subdivision. The project has
proceeded and a tentative tract map has been proposed
(Tentative Tract ]4192~.
II. ANALYSIS:
A. Background: The Current Planning Section notified Historic
Preservation staff that a tentative tract map had been filed
on the subject property. In reviewing the tentative tract map
layout, staff became concerned with the proposed street
alignment since with the approval of a tentative tract map (as
shown in the attached Exhibit A) the historic structure would
be bordered by streets on three sides. The proposed tentative
tract map would create a through-lot situation for the Lord
House and it would place the existing rear portion of the
house within 25 feet of a proposed new street along the
eastern edge of the proposed subject tot. Staff's initial
concern with this proposal was that it would detrimentally
effect the historical context of the current structure and
site. As indicated in the previous Historic Preservation
Staff Report: "The Landmark Designation should include the
associated landscaping. Possible subdivision of this property
needs to take into consideration the historically valuable
house and the mature landscaping around it."
Because of staff's concern with the location of the new
proposed street that would run behind the existing residence,
staff met with members of Hix Development Corporation and
subsequently carried out an inspection of the structure on
February 12, 1990. The applicant had proposed, after our
initial discussion, removal of a portion of the residence
which in their opinion, was a later addition. This would
create a larger setback through the removal rather than a
redesign of the tract to relocate the proposed street. The
applicant's detailed proposal is contained in the attached
letter dated February 12, 1990.
HPC STAFF REPORT
LAPA 90-02 - HIX DEVEL. CORP.
March l, 1990
Page 3
B. _Significance of the Property: As indicated previously during
the Landmark Application hearing, this house has two
outstanding features that make it an especially noteworthy
candidate for recognition and retention as a landmark:
1. It may be the oldest house standing on its original site
in the Alta Loma community, and;
2. It was built by a person of great regional importance,
Isaac W. Lord. It is among the few historic structures in
Rancho Cucamonga that has retained its historical context
in terms of impressive plantings and overall grove
context.
C. Issues: Staff's inspection of the site and structure on
February 12, ]990 has not convinced us that the flat shed and
hipped shed portions of the house are not part of the original
Lord family construction or that their removal is necessary.
In addition, staff still questions the compatibility of
running a north-south oriented street in such proximity to the
rear portions of the house. Furthermore, although the front
and sides of the proposed lot around the house appear to be
adequate in nature, the rear yard, because of the street
location and configuration of the building, does not appear to
be adequate. Therefore, staff questions the adverse effect
which the proposed tract, as currently designed, has on the
historical context of the site.
Other than staff's opposition to the proposal to demolish a
portion of the existing residence, staff supports the
remaining changes the applicant has proposed with regards to
upgrading the structure and the property as identified in the
applicant's letter dated February !2, 1990.
D. Alternatives: The following alternatives are presented for
the Historic Preservation Commission's consideration:
1. Approval per the applicant's request to modify the
existing structure through demolition and improvements as
indicated in their previous letter.
2. Approval of the appl icant's request, except for the
requested structural demolition modifications, and with
the tract as currently designed.
3. Approval of the applicant's request, except for the
structural demolitions, and request the Planning
Commission consider the redesign of the current tract
HPC STAFF REPORT
LAPA 90-02 - HIX DEVEL. CORP.
March l, 1990
Page 4
layout in accordance with the concept illustrated in
Exhibit B provided herein.
E. Environmental Assessment.: This Landmark Alteration Permit may
be found exempt from CEQA under Article 10, Section 1530l
providing the Historic Preservation Commission finds and
determines that the Landmark Alteration as approved will not
be adversely detrimental from a significant aesthetic,
cultural, architectural, or historic nature.
III. FACTS FOR FINDINGS: Possible facts for findings are indicated as
fol lows:
]. The proposed application is consistent with the purpose of
Chapter 2.24 of the City Municipal Code and;
2. The proposed action will not detrimental to the structure from
a significant aesthetic, cultural, architectural, or
engineering interest or value of an historic nature and;
3. The action proposed is necessary to assure the continued and
consistent maintenance and condition of the site.
IV. CORRESPONDENCE: This item has been advertised in the Daily Report
newspaper. ,
V. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation
Commission approve Landmark Alteration Permit 90-02 by selecting
one of the alternatives outlined previously in adoption of the
attached Resolution modified accordingly.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry j. Henderson, AICP
Principal Planner
LJH:sp
Attachments: Exhibit "A" - Existing Site Map
Exhibit "B" - Proposed Tract Map
Alternate Tract Map
Previous HPC Staff Report, dated May 5, 1988
Applicant's letter and attachments, dated
February 12, ]990
Resolution
ls~,qlauav
," - !!r - -
CITY OF RANCH0 CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT ;
DATE: June 15, 1988
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Brad Buller, City Planner
BY: Arlene Banks, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: A PROPOSAL TO DESIGNATE THE LORD HOUSE, 6797 HELLMAN
')kVENUE, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, A HISTORIC LANDMARK - APN: 202-
061-12.
I. RECOMMENDATION: The Historic Preservation Commission recommends
'that the City Council designate the Lord House a landmark with the
adoption of the attached Resolution.
II. BACKGROUND: This house, identified as a potential landmark on the
1987 Historic Resources Inventory, was built by Isaac W. Lord in
1885. Isaac Lord was a person of importance in the region. He
founded the City of La Verne ( ori gi nal ly Lordsburg ), was
instrumental in routing the Santa Fe Railroad through Alta Loma,
Cucamonga, and Lordsburg, served as a member of the San Bernardino
County Board of Supervisors in the early 1890's, and in Los Angeles
was the first Chairman of the Board of Trade. The house was later
owned by the Dzies, a locally well-known family.
It is a hipped-roof Folk Victorian house with board-and-batten
siding surrounded by heavy vegetation. It may be the oldest house
in Alta Loma still standing on its original site.
III. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ACTION: A public hearing was held
on May 5, 1988 at which the Commission passed a Resolution
recommending desi gnati on of the Lord House. The Commi ssi on
specified that the recommendation was for the house and not for the
garage or sheds.
BB:/U):te
Attachments: Historic Preservation Commission Staff Report of May 5, 1988
Letter to Ms. Mae Elder, Owner
May 5, 1988 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
CITY OF RANCH0 CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 5, 1988
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation Commission
FROM: Larry Henderson, Senior Planner
BY: Arlene Banks, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF 6797 HELLMAN AVENUE, RANCHO
CUCAMONGA - A proposal t'o designate the Lord House, 6797
Hellman Avenue, a Historic Landmark - APN: 202-061-12.
I. SITE DESCRIPTION:
A. Location: The house is located on a 4.7 acre parcel on the
east sid~ of Hellman Avenue, 332 feet south of 19th Street. It
is set back considerably from Hellman.
B. Site Land Uses - Zoning - General Plan Designation: The site
is a single family house on a 4.7 acre lot. It is zoned Low
Density Residential (2-4 dwelling units per acre) and has a Low
Density Residential designation on the General Plan.
C. Surroundin Land Use - Zoning - General Plan Desi nation:
North - Vacant; Zoning and General Plan Designations a~e Low
Density Residential.
South - Vacant; Zoning and General Plan Designations are Low
Density Residential.
East - Vacant; Zoning and General Plan Designations are Low
Density Residential.
West - Single family houses; Zoning and General Plan
Designations are Low Density Residential.
D. Description: The site is lushly landscaped with a variety of
'iature trees that set the property off from the surrounding
area. It adds to the rural ambiance of Hellman as a country
road lined with heavy vegetation. The house itself is barely
visible from the street. Remnants of an orange grove and other
fruit trees fill the deep front setback. An enormous deodar
cedar rises in front, in addition to a few Eucalpytus and a
dozen tall Palm trees. There is a circular gravel driveway,
one side of which extends along the side of the house.
HPC STAFF REPORT
RE: LORD HOUSE
Nay 5, 1988
Page 2
The house appears to need some repair and restoration but
maintains the appearance of a Victorian farm house classified
as Folk Victorian. It is covered with board and batten siding
and has a combination simple hipped roof over the major portion
of the house and a pyramidal hipped section. Turned porch
posts edge the porches which are on three sides of the front
section of the house.
II. ANAJ. YSIS:
A. ~ackground: This house came to our attention when a realtor
called about the property and the potential for marketing the
site for a future subdivision. It is on the list of potential
historic sites. A picture of the house and references to the
families who built it and lived in it are in The Histor~ of
Alta Loma, California 1880-1980.
The house may be the oldest still standing in the Alta Loma
community, having been built in 1885. Its builder, Isaac W.
Lord, and his wife, Julia, bought the property from a Mr.
Wilcox. Mr. and Mrs. lord's house actually was a large
addition to a tiny bungalow Mr. Wilcox had lived in. An 1894
news article cited in Light Over The Mountain said, "Supervisor
I.W. Lord has one of the most commodious houses in the
settlement. A broad gallery extends around three sides of the
building; this, with the umbra~eous shade, presents a most
inviting appearance." (Page 58)
Isaac Lord was among those wh had influenced the railroad's
decision to build a line between San Bernardino and Los Angeles
by way of Cucamonga and Pasadena and what is now LaVerne.
According to Mrs. Evelyn Hollinger, a local historian who is
writing a history of La Verne, Isaac Lord bought land in what
later became LaVerne and constructed a hotel in 1887. It was
blown over in the great wind of December 10, 1887 and
rebuilt. Meanwhile, according to the History of Alta Loma,
California 1880-1980 , several members o'f The Church of the
Brethren had left the mid-west and formed a small colony called
Eswana (in what is now the Alta Loma area) after its three
founders, Eshelman, Wells and Nair. They were looking for a
site for a Brethren College, and when the boom of 1887 became a
bust, they bought an option for Isaac Lord's hotel in 1889.
Mrs. Hollinger said that the town was named Lordsburg in an
agreement Isaac Lord made with the Santa Fe Railroad. Over the
next few years, the Brethren moved to Lordsburg. The Brethren
wanted to change the name of the town, but were prevented from
this for a number of years because of the agreement between
Lord and the Santa Fe. A large number of Brethren took
advantage of the cheap fares from the mid-west to California
and settled in what is now called the town of LaVerne.
C-zo
HPC STAFF REPORT
RE: LORD HOUSE
May 5, 1988
Page 3
Isaac Lord was a man of influence not only in LaVerne and Alta
Loma (Iamosa at that time), he was on the County Board of
Supervisors during his time in San Bernardino County and in Los
Angeles was the first Chairman of the Board of Trade, according
to Mrs. Hollinger. An article from the Ontario Record of
October 8, 1890, referred to him as the "f~t, fair and forty
delegate from Cucamonga". Other articles referred to him as
genial, shrewd and capable and said he would make a good
supervisor.
Another owner of the property, the Dziewanowskis family, called
Dzie, was a well-known local family. According to the History
of Alta Loma, California 1880-1980, they purchased the property
~n 1911~ Gilbert Dzie's father had been a Polish count who
immigrated to Wisconsin. Gilbert and his wife, Mary, moved
from Wisconsin to Woonsocket, South Dakota, and later to Alta
Loma (then Zamosa) with their daughter, Florence, her husband,
Edward Marshall, and their two children. The MarshalIs lived
in an apartment in the house where they stayed for varying
periods of time over the years. The Dzies participated in
local social life and had many friends. Most of the ranch was
sold after Gilbert Dzie died in lg27 and the last 5 acres was
let go for taxes in 1935.
B. Significance of the Property: This house has two outstanding
features that make it an especially noteworthy candidate for
recognition and designation as a landmark: 1) It may be the
oldest house standing on its original site in the Alta Loma
community, and 2) it was built by a person of great regional
importance, Isaac W. Lord. Furthermore, it is among the few
existing Victorian structures in Rancho Cucamonga and is
associated with other well-known local families, the Dzies and
the MarshalIs. The overall site with its impressive plantings
are worthy of mention in themselves.
C. Issues: The landmark designation should include the associated
landscaping. Possible subdivision of this property needs to
take into consideration the historically valuable house, and
the mature landscaping around it.
D. Environmental Assessment: Designation of a landmark is .exempt
from CEQA requirements (Xrticle 19, Section 15308).
III. FACTS FOR FINDINGS: Criteria in the Ordinance that staff thinks
are applicable are as follows:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
HPC STAFF REPORT
RE: LORD HOUSE
May 5, 1988
Page 4
1. The proposed landmark is particularly representative of
an historical period, type, style, region or way of
life. '
2. The proposed landmark is an example of a type of
building which was once common but is now rare.
3. The proposed landmark is of greater age than most of its
kind.
4. The proposed landmark was connected with a business or
use which was once common but is now rare.
B. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
1. The proposed landmark materially benefits the historic
character of the neighborhood.
2. The proposed landmark in its location represents an
established and familiar visual feature of the
neighborhood, conmnunity, and city.
IV. CORRESPONDENCE: This item has been advertised as a public hearing
in The Daily Report newspaper and notices sent to property owners
within 300 feet. The proper~y owner and Mr. Hal Unru h, real ter,
have been sent an explanatory letter and a copy of this report.
Staff has talked about Isaac Lord to Mrs. Evelyn Hollinger, LaVerne
historian.
V. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation
Commission recommend to the City Council that they adopt a
Resolution designating the Lord House and its site a Historic
Landmark because it meets the criteria established in the Historic
Preservation Ordinance. Such designation is in conformance with
the Rancho Cucamonga General Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Senior Planner
LH:AB:ko
Attachments: Letter to Ms. E1 der
Site Location Map
Picture from Histor~ of Alta Loma 1880-1980
Resolution
City of Rancho Cuczmonga
Application for
HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION
HISTORIC POINT OF INTEREST DESIGNATION
× Historic Landmark Historic Point of Interest
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common Name:
2. Historic Name, If known: Lord House
3. Street or Rural Address: 6797 Hellman
City: Ranchc Cucamonqa Zip: 91701 County: ~ ~.
Assessor's Parcel No. 202-061-1~ Zone: Low
Le2al Descript ion:
4. Present Owner, if known: Mac Elder &ridream: 6797 Hellman
City: Rancho Cu~amonqa Zip: 9170) Ownership lsz public
private X
5. Present Use: Residence Ori21nal Use: 2-Family Residence
Other past uses:
DESCRIPTION
6. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations fro8 its oriZinal
conditionz A Folk Victnri~n StrV~eu~ with a hipped ~of ever the main
portion and a p~ramidal hipped roof over a smller portion. Turned posts
support each of the thee porches. The house is covered with board and
batten siding.
7. Location sketch map (draw & label 8. &pproximate property size:
site and surroundin2 streets,
roads, and prominent landmarks)~ Lot Size (in feet)
Fronta2e. ~o
Depth ~ f. qS
See Attachment or approx, acreage.
9, Condition: (check one)
a, Excellent b, Good X
c, Fair d, Deteriorated
e, No 1onSet in existence
10, Is the feature: a, Altered?So
b, Unaltered? Windory Chan~
11, Surroundin;s: (check more th~
one if necessary)
a. Open land X
b. Residential X
c. Scattered buildinSs .
d. Densely built-up
12. Threats to Site:
a. None known.. b. Private development. X c. Zoning
d. Publlc Works Project e. Vandalism f. Other
13. Dates of enclosed photograph(s) 1988 "-
NOTE: The following (Items 14-19) are for structures only.
14. Primary exterior building material: a. Stone .. b. Brick
c. Stucco d. Adobe e. Wood X f. Other
1S. Is the Structure: a. On its original site? X
b. Moved? c. Unknown?
16. Year of Initial Construction: 1885
This Date is: a. Factual b. Estimated X
17. Architect (if known):
18. Builder (if known):
19. Related Features: a. Barn b. Carriage house
c. Outhouse d. Shed(s) ~/ e. Formal Garden(s)
f. Windmill g. Watertower/tankhouse
h. Other i. None
Thick, mature landscaping including a small orange grove·
SIGNIFICANCE
20. Briefly state historical and/or arc .ltectural importance (includ~
dates, events, and persons associat=d with the site when known)
Built b Isaac Lord founder of hordsbe~LaVerne) and influential
_.politician. Hember of Board of Supervisors in 1890's. Also, home of Dzie and
Narshall fimilies. Hay be oldest home in Alta Loma cormunity.
e
21. Main theme of the hlstorlc resource: Okllll:liX2:jiXlawn~l:
a. Architecture X b. Arts k Leisure
c. Economic/Indu 'rial .... d. Government -X
e. ExPloratAon/Se:tlement X f. Military
g. Religion h. Social/Education
22. Sources: List books documents, ~0um~:e&~m personal interviews
and their dates: H'istor~ of A]ta lfornia? 1880-1980 by Martha
Stoebe etal. Light Over the Hountains, Revised Ed., by Donald Clures.
23, Date form prepared~ By (name): Arlene Banks
Address: City: Zip:
Phone: ..... Organization: City of Ran,:~0 Cuc~m0-
Slte Location
6797 Hellmac Ave.
I gth St.
CITY (F rr~:
RA.NL"BD CLEA~ Trr~.. ~
HISTORIC PRESERVATION EXHIBi"F: SCALE:
COMMISSION
HIS' tIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIC LANDMARK SURVEY
Date of Photo. 4-~
View Looking ~"A~7'
Date of Photo
Page__ of Page__ LJH3
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA post office Box 807, Rancho Cucarnonga. California 91,_':30. (714] 989-IS51
April 20, 1988
Nae E1 der
6797 He11man
Rancho Cucamonga, Ca1 tfornta 91701
Dear Ms. Elder:
As the staff person working with the Historic Preservation Con~ntssion in the
City of Rancho Cucamonga, I was recently called by Mr. Hal Unruh, a realtor
who wanted to know about the historic aspects of your property. I found that
your ho~e was included on a list of potential historic sites and is documented
as a place of importance in the History of Alta Loma, Caltfornia~ 1880-1980.
The City undertook a survey of its historic resources in 1987 in order to
document the structures, sites, 1 andscapes, and distrtcts that are of
historic, architectural, cultural or engineering interest. It is the Ctty's
goal to preserve, protect and enhance its historic resources as much as
possible, since there is so much that is new and so little that remains from
earlier times. The heritage of the commntties of Rancho Cucamonga is
important to the Clty's image and identity, and your home, which is of great
historic value, is an important part of that heritage.
On Nay 5, 1988, the Historic Preservation Commission will be conducting a
public hearing to consider the designation of your home as a historic
landmark. You will receive a copy of the staff report and, of course, you are
invited to speak to the Coa~nisston or to write to them on the matter.
The main consequence of being a historic landmark is that material changes to
the exterior of the structure and to the site are reviewed by the
Commission. The property would also be listed in the Ctty's booklet,
"Historic Landmarks and Points of Interest". To help owners of historic
properties, there is a provision in the Development Code that allows historic
residences to be converted to other uses with a Conditional Use Permit and
review by the Historic Preservation Coanisston.
As City staff, we feel a sense of respect for our Ctty's historic buildings
and places, and we desire to be of service to owners of these properties.
There are many thousands of homes throughout California arid the nation that
are designated as landmarks. Our experience is that such;recognJt+onlS-a
point of pride and often means enhanced property ~alues rather than a
problem. The City intends to work in a cooperative spirit with owners of
landmarks in the event that they wish to alter the exterior of their buildings
by providing technical advice on proper construction materials and processes
in order to protect the structure's historic value.
LETTER TO: MA~ ELD~R
RE: Historic Designation
April 20, 1988
Page 2
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 989-1861
ext. 295. '
Sincerely,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PLANNING DIVISION
Arlene Banks
Associate Planner
AB:ko
CO: Hal Unruh, G.H. Dobbs & Associates
Brad Bullet, City Planner
Larry Henderson, Senior Planner
Historic Preservation Commission
A Dream Come
True--
100 Years Later
Isaac Lord never saw
Charlie Basham
his boom-town make good
Photography tnj Mafia Gon les
sion outposts. The fourth of the
..... "'~'?' I f) fabled 21 missions was San Gabriel
*~ :' ~ saac Lord would be proud o Archangel, founded in 1771.
La Verne. In a short time Mission San
t Although Lord°s dream Gabriel's fenfie lands were covered
f to create a whistle-stop boom-town of with acres of orchards and grapes,
Lordsburg (now La Veme) failed 100 and fields of grain and livestock. But
years ago, he'd take pride in know- despite this agricultural success, the
ing that today a beautiful and pros- mission relied heavily on Mexico's
perous community has blossomed supplies to survive. Long delays in
from the seed of that dream. delivering supplies (via San Diego),
We are not the first to call this soon prompted an expedition to find
beautiful valley "home/' Our roots a more direct, inland mute from
stretch into the past. Back as much Sonora, Mexico.
as 8,000 years, to an ancient time of The expedition's leader was Juan
prehistoric Indians who were called Bautista de Anza. Along the way, his
Gabrielinos by the Spanish. party camped at Arroyo de los Osos
Several small Gabrielino set- (nov,, San Antonio Creek) and pas-
tiemerits existed along the foothills sed through La Verne in March 1774.
between the San Gabriel Valley and With this new route from Mex-
_..; San Bemardino. One village was ico firmly established, a second ex-
located at Mud Springs at what is pedition amved the following year.
now the comer of Arrow Highway With it were 240 Spanish settlers and
and San Dimas Canyon Road. a like amount of cattle, These families
These Indians lived easily off the and livestock formed the very
~ '~ Isaac W, Lord was the energetic pro- bounty of the rich land. They. were nucleus of the future growth and.
roofer who convinced the Atchison, hunters and gatherers, primar~y col- culture of our area.
Topeka & Santa Fe to build its steel !ectmg acorns and tracking small In November 1826 the mission
highway through "his" toum of
Lordsburg. (Security Pacfic National game. welcomed its first American
The peaceful Gabrielinos led an visitors--a band of mountain men
Bank Collection/L.A. Public Library isolated and simple existence for led by Jedidiah Strong Smith. On
many thousands of years. Their first two occasions Smith's party camped
brief encounter with the outside at Mud Springs. Unwittingly, their
world came in 1769 when an expedi- t'ravels established a path through La
tion from San Diego, led by Gaspar Veme which eventually became the
de Portola, passed through this valley link between America and Alta
enroute to San Francisco. Califomia's missions and pueblos.
When word from Portola This path later became known as the
reached Franciscan Father Junipero Upper San Bemardino Road.
Sen'a, eager plans were made to Until 1834, the San Gabriel Mis-
civilize and Chnstianize the friendly sion was the principal enterprise and
Indians. dominant economic force for this
Soon, bands of soldiers and mis- region. But secularization that year
L4 VERNE sionaries ventured north from San stripped the powerful mission of its
MAGAZINE Diego, colonizing the new !and of land, which was then divided intt~
50 Alta California with a chain of mis- ranchos and given as grants to
/q, _,
Spanish settlers. ~
In early 1837, '~gnacio Palomares tnn~. ,,
and Ricardo Vejar received a 22,000 ,..: ........
acre grant called Rancho San Jose, ~I " "'
which comprised virtually all of ~"~ .. ~::-
Pomona Valley. They informally split .... ~.'./ -,. .
the land, with Palomares taking the
northern half. Palomares' first home .~ .; ' -.
(Casa de Primera) still stands at the - t~7'
corner of McKinley and Park :"
Avenues in Pomona. ~:~' ~' i/
Three years later a land grant -. ~-'
was given to Palomares' brother-in-
law Luis Arenas. His parcel was on
the northwest side of the valley ad-
jacent to Rancho San Jose. ~
In the following decade the
valley changed very. little. Even the TIle most dominant econo~nic and cultural influence in this valley was the
war between Mexico and the United Mission San Gabriel, established in 1771 by Spanish missionaries.
States (1846-1848) had little direct ef- of the local cattle barons were forced of Arrow Highway and Orange
fect on local operations. But soon to divide and sell their ranches to Grove Avenue, Pomona). The adobe
afterward all attention focused north newcomers. With wisdom, most of included a small room for a store and
to the Mother Lode. The rush for the new settlers from the east avoid- acted as a stage stop.
gold brought tens of thousands of ed cattle ranching. Instead they Through a variety of occur-
turned to what they knew best-- rences, Louis Phillips gained title to
farming. These immigrants also the southern part of the San Jose
brought their strong American Rancho in 1866.
culture, planting new seeds of During the two decades after the
change for this valley. Civil War, several small villages
As word spread in the East about sprang up in the valley. They
tILLs pastoral empire called California, originated as trading centers for the
a steady invasion of Americans farmers and ranches, but they also
began. Traffic increased on the Up- provided supplies and services to the
per San Bernardtoo Road as San Ber- stage lines and miners working their
nardino and Los Angeles grew. claims in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Regular stage and freight service was The primary. focus of growth for
established along the road. In 1854 the southern part of the vallev was
Palomares built a larger second home the town of Spadra, developed by
on the upper road (at the intersection Phillips. By 1870 it boasted three
The beautiful Palomares Adobe, at , .
Arrow Hu~. and Orange Grva~e
Ave., Pomona, is open to the public.
argonauts to the state. This sudden I
crush of people and a short supply .~ /,.~.:~.
of food created a tremendous de- : ''
mand for beef. Cattle, which sold for
only $2 a head a few months earlier, I~ ' .
were suddenly capturing inflated
prices as high as $713 each.
The promise of quick riches
lured local ranchers into making long
cattle drives to the north. Unfor-
tunately, their new wealth was poor-
ly managed and the owners were un-
prepared when the cattle market col- .~, ,f. ~,,.
lapsed with the Gold Rush in the
mid-1950's. . . ·
DECF.%IBf
Staggering under huge debts in- Lordsburg's grand hotel was typical of the boom-tou,n era establishments. It
curred dunng the boom ),ears, many never had a paying guest, however, and was deeded to the college. 5
This is believed to be the first through train of tile Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads from San Benlardino to Los
Angeles on May 16, 188Z. The band was typical of land auction e.~:urison trains op~ating at that ~nzied time. (C.C. Pierce
photo, l~'~n. A. My~s collection).
stores, bvo b]ac~miths, a hotel and s~e, so ~d the deandeuce u~n the and the orion of brdsbu~.
salon. It was a major shipping railroad monopoly. The cocky Two impo~ant factors preceded
center for produce and se~ed as a ~uthem ~c~c s~n ~e ~dy the land ~m and the invasion of
rest stop for the Butteffield Stage. and sta~ed cha~ng high rates. ~r immi~ants: the development of a
Phillips was considered the pa~h ~mple, the ~ight ch~es ~n dependable and adequate water
of the v~. He had ~at ~sio~ for ~s Angeles and Colton we~ the supply and the start of a profitable
its ~owth and d~elopment. same as ~Bveen ~s Angeles and ci~s indus~,.
~e Up~r S~ ~m~o ~ad Chicago. In genera, passenger ser- In the early ~s, Geo~e Chaf-
also a~a~ed settle~, though it was ~ce w~ ~m~ ~d ~ ~gh phced. fey successfully developed a water
a less ~aveled ~ade route than the Although Southern Panic was suc- supply system ~m the San Gab~el
road through Spadra. cessf~ in stffiing compehtion for Mountains that co~d sustain the
One of the most si~fficant s~er~ ye~, its ~eedmess wo~d v~le~s rapid pop~ation ~owth and
events in the histo~ of the United ~enm~y lead to the welco~ng of pionee~g ci~s indus~.
States, the completion of the the Santa ~ ~flroad, a land ~m Although the San Gabhel Mis-
~on~ent~ r~ad ~ ~9, ~ sion had ~wn oranges here as ear-
had a profound ~pa~ on the ly as ~, its ~oves were not the
o, COLONIST TICKETS o,
Within a few ye~ ~ter the dus~, Until a~ut ~, the ci~s
~olden sp~e was driven, the ~uth* ~wn here were poor in qu~ity, ~-
em Pac~ic ~road ~Ban to bu~d a in~ desc~d as "thick skinned,
hm.g. TO CALIFORNIA pithy, ~ and ~:'outl k
Angeles and New Orleans, Phffiips proved si~fficantly, howler, with
and s~er~ fmighted ~ es~te p~ ......... the m~dudion of new v~eties and
mote~ noted the in~ased flow of F:lrl~lll' 1'1~!'3NI)-IY ~er seed st~k.
~eight ~affic through the v~, and ............ ~ ..... In the ~ginning lemons were
thev ~gan to dream of a valley full ~ ........ m.w the mo~ ~pu]~ ~p. ~ ship~d
of people. By facilitating the in- ~m~.s~.~ ~tter and otfered. a year-round
~itable, they expected to cash in on ............ ~,,~, ..... ha~est, It was the in~oduction of
real estate sales, the orange in the 18~s, though,
U~o~nately, the re~ estate THE GREME~ DPPO~UNI~ that ~ed off the ~du~ ~m, By
~m did not ~n un~ 10 yea~ E,.,0..~,.~ the ~s the orange had ~come
later m ~. App~ntly, ~m~on HOMES IN ~LIFORNIA C~ffomia's most lucrative 'expo~
~n two ra~ads was n~ded to since gold. More than 1.~ million
foster a ~m ...................................................... cim~s ~s were ~wing at that time
Since the Southern Pacific was ~e competition for i~nmi~ant trade
L4 VERNE the only major railroad in the state, SOUTHERN PACIFIC COMPANY between the railroads reduced the
~L4GAZINE its ~wer was v~uaily u~i~ted in cost of a iVest-bound ticket born
52 the l~s. And, ~ this area ~ew in $125 to, at one time, only $1.
in Southern California, bringing in
tens of millions of dollars annually
In La Verne, a bealthv blend 6f c7~
several types of oranges ~nd lemons e
were harvested all year round. ~
In 1877 the citruS; market opened
t dramatically, when the first oranges
.:. were successfully shipped to the East
bv rail. The fruit a/so acted as an
advertisement, attracting thousands
~ of cold-weary, immigrants to the Sun-
shine State. Books such as Charles
Nordhoff's California for Health, ~
Pleasure and Residence (1872) and-~
Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona (1884)
also fueled interest by describing the
virtues of our mild dimate and boun-
tiful harvests. Local growers formed associations to combine picking and processing of
It was, however, the coming of a citrus crops. This improved productivity and saved the local industry from
second railroad to the valley that ruin.
sparked the land boom. In June 1885 California that some historians turned out to be little more than the
the Santa Fe Railroad entered Calffor- speculate the rate was a mutual at- hot air and untilled hopes of their
nia at Needles. Through a series of rangemerit between the railroads promoters.
mergers and acquisitions of small, designed to encourage the sale of Lordsburg got its name from iti~
locally owned lines, Santa Fe quick- railroad-owned land. Real estate pro- energetic promoter, Isaac W. Lord.
ly pushed through Southern Califor- fits more than offset the low ticket Although Lordsburg eventually
nia, and Lordsburg, to compete with prices. Each railroad also offered a disappeared as a name, it remained
the Southern Pacific. A rail war "land-seeker's ticket" entitling the as a town, adopting its new na
began. Easterner the opportunity to apply from a neighbor. In an unusual mar-
Each railroad dropped its rates the cost of a ticket towar~l the put- riage of success, failure and fate,
dramatically. And bv the spring of chase of railroad-owned land. nearby La Veme never reallv matured
1887 competition b~tween the hvo As the stories of agricultural into a town. La %~rne was ~tablished
railn~ads reached a fevered pitch. wealth spread, more eager settlers in 1885 by several prominent farmers
Both sides practiced cut-throat came. The infusion of new farmers including Lewis H. Bixby, Frank
maneuvers. On March 7, 1877, a and growers also sparked im- Whee]er and Solomen Gates. With
dollar would buy a one-way ticket provements in crops and farming Santa Fe's unwritten promise of a rail
from Kansas Ci[v to LOs Angeles. methods. line through the northern part of the
This "super-save~" fare didn't last Several towns in this area were valley, these farmers developed the
long, but for about a year the tariff born during the boom years of the community of La Verne. They had a
was still relatively low'--around $25. 1880s. A few such as Chicago Park, post office, newspaper, and 62-room
So many people flocked to Gladstone, Palomares, and Piedmont hotel. With boom-town eagerness,
In the '20s anti '30s the Santa Fe's most i~nportant trains u,ere the "refer block" freighters (a solid train of
refrigerator cars) laden with fruit. These unique trains operated on priority passenger schedules to rush the produce to
the anxious Eastenl markets. ('E. liotchkiss photo, Win. A. Myen collection.)
the La Verne promoters anxiously 1887, which was billed as the and freight agent." McDonaugh
awaited their railroad. But Santa ~e "grandest sale of the year." tacted Mathew Mars Eshelman, a
changed its plans and built the line Three auctioneers captured the minister of the Church of the
a few mi/es to the south, through business of the 2,500 people on hand Brethren, to come to Lordsburg as an
Lordsburg.
for the event. These people were fer- agent of the railroad. Eshelman
Isaac Lord was the man who ned out on special Santa F~ excursion became convinced that the town
a local line. And it mav have been his nardino and Los Angeles areas. For Brethren. Eshelman set out in eah3est
connection with ~he powerful those taking the Southern Pacific to to woo his fellows for the proposed
railroad man Coilis P. Huntington (by Pomona, free carriage rides were pro- colony. At the expense of the Santa
· . , .
to shift its route through Lordsburg bands, "pure artesian wateL" a free weekly newspaper, the Southern
lunch and more kept the land Calibmian, to Brethren in the East.
andiFTcZot La Verne. Lord and the San- seekers entertained. Lots cost bet- The location and climate were
nomodaas a population center. A weep $400 and $800 each, and about described in glowing terms.
b]itz of local newspaper ads pro- one day. CalifimUan carried an ad offering
Building started immediately free ride from any point east of the
moted a land auction on May 25, after the auction. The post office, Rocky Mountains to California" to
FOR MORE INFORMATION stores and most of the homes were anvone buying $500 worth of proper-
ABOUT LA VERNE HISTORy built south of the railroad tracks. Lord tv 'in Lordsburg.
and others also invested heavily in a The plan to save Lordsburg
This article presents only a brief luxurious three-story hotel By the worked. The Church of the Brethren
overview of La Verne's history. fall of 1887 Lordsbur~ was beginning was formally established in Lords-
Several interesting books are to have the look of a boom town. But burg on No(,,. 1, 1890. By 1891 there
available which provide many when the dust and excitement had were six ministers and approximate-
detailed and exciting accounts died down, it became apparent that ly 60 members.
about the history of our city all was not well Lordsburg lacked Perhaps the prompting of the
and the development of
Southern California. These are ~,.
available in the La Verne City
Library, the University of La "~
Verne Library and in the rl~ ,J
Special Collections section of
the Pomona Public Library.
Here are a few books
we recommend:
· A History of Lordsbung, by
Norman Ramseyer
· La veme College-S~nty,~e 511E
~ars of Service, by Gladdys
E. Muir
* The Vintage Years, Our ~lley
Before 1945, by William E
King
....
· History of Pomona ~lley, ' :- ·
Califarnia, by E P. Brackett Lordsburg College originally occupied the empty boom-town hotel. As the in-
* Califvrnia--a Bicentennial stitution grew, new ground was broken for Foumlers Hall tn 1918.
Histo.n/, by Davis Lavender people. it seems that the majority of local real estate promoters, or
those who bought land were real perhaps out of a sincere desire
· Califvrnia--Two Centuries of estate speculators or entrepreneurs educate the youth in this new land
Man, Land and Gnn~h, by who came to establish businesses. of promise, several of the new
W. H. Hutchins Land values dropped and many lots Brethren amvals opened an academy
· California, Land of Contrast, by became worthless. The hotel never in Lordsburg. The school occupied
David W. Lantis had a registered guest. There was no the empty Lordsburg Hotel. Literal-
* Los Angeles, Biography of a sustaining industry. The boom-town ly overnight the town began to attract
City, by John and LeRee made a quick transition to "ghost people like a magnet.
Caughry In the meantime, the local ran-
aac Lord and the Santa F~e were chers were planting small citrus
* Plus several historical dazed at the failure of their project. groves. As the water supply system
sketches prepared by La They quickly stationed George L. improved, the orchards/6egan
" " .... an industry that would pn~sper
another 60 years in La M~rne. had robbed the soil of its life-giving Although it was never a boom-town
In the Bg0s more changes and qualities. Trees were getting old and during Isaac Lord's lifetime, our com-
improvements within the citrus in- fruit was degrading in qualit'>: A munity has fulfilled his 100-year-old
dustry provided a bright spot for an deadly disease known as "Quick dream.
otherwise difficult decade. Citrus Decline" swept through the valley.
prices remained high until 1890. But Rather than replant, many ~
then the local economy began to growers sold their declining groves ti~ ~
dwindle. A series of droughts and a land developers. As the housing in-
decline in the tourist business took dustry boomed, the inflated price of
their toll. And shippers and packers land pressured even the strongest
began to take advantage of the holdouts to sell, ending an era of La
growers by paying lower rates. Verne that will never be forgotten.
To combat the tactics of the "mid- As the valley, grew over the
dieman' who threatened their very decades with immigrants from the
existence, the growers organized East, these newcomers demanded
associations designed to meet the the services and arnenities they were THERE'S GOING
Eastern buyers with a united and accustomed to "back home:' TO BE A PARTY!
profitable marketing arrangement. The mark of true progress for
The growers combined their proces- most early ~stern towns came with To celebrate the 100th birthday
sing efforts--they weighed, graded the establishment of its local bank. of La Verne, the city's Centen-
packed and shipped their season's The First National Bank of Lordsburg nial Committee has planned
production out of one packing was founded in 1909 and the Farmers several exciting activities for
house--work that was previously and Merchants of La Verne in 1916. 1987. These include the sale of
done by individual growers. (They merged in 1941 to form the 1st city banners and memento
These associations stressed National Bank of La Veme. items, a city-wide party and
quality to buyers and began to use In 1902 the Pomona Valley parade on May 25, special
special brand names to distinguish Telephone and Telegraph Co. was historical displays and exhibits,
their products. This gave birth to the established connecting Lordsburg contests and activities for
ornate and colorful packing labels with Pomona, Claremont and La school-age children, a 5K/10K
treasured today by many collectors. Verne. The first directory, issued in fun run and much more!
They had wistful names--Pansy, September 1903, shows only four
Begonia, Pride of La Verne--and telephones in Lordsburg. But within "We created activities that will
drawings depicting a sunny Califor- a year the number climbed to more appeal to everyone in the com-
nia utopia. The labels sold the fruits than 413. In 1929 the company was munity;' says Ron Dilley, co-
as well as the towns. When winter consolidated into AT & T, chair of the Centennial Corn-
changed the Easterners' world to The most rapid development of mittee. Announcements for the
white, thousands saw the labels and La Verne was tied directly into the activities will be made in the
dreamed of California. Each year a progress of electrical service. Electrid- local newspapers throughout
few more Easterners abandoned the ty played an important role in the the year, says Dilley.
cold and fled to ha Verne, cultivation and packing of fruit. Elec-
The La Verne Growers Associa- tricity was first provided in the 1890s
tion was established in 1909. Within by the San Antonio Light and Power -..h...,,~
five years the output of the associa- Co. Eventually service was taken over
tion's packing house increased from by Southern California Edison.
275 to 625 train carloads. By 1919 the In 1911 the city organized its first
output increased to 1,200 carloads. volunteer fire department. The
That year the orange and lemon equipment consisted of just two hose
growers united to form the La Verne carts. But a few years later a bond
Fruit Exchange, which eventually issue provided funds for the citys
became a member of the California first fire truck and station.
Fruit Growers En:hange (Sunkist). In lordsburg (and la Verne) has ex-
the 1920s and '30s La Verne was perienced many interesting and
known as the "Heart of the Orange positive changes over the years.
Empire/' In 1925 more than $2.2
million of fruit was sold by local This new fire truck, in 1917, was a
growers. welcomed change from Lordsburg' s
hand-drawn hose carts.
In the local citrus industnfs hey-
day in the mid-1930s, four packing
houses were running full boom in La
Verne, shipping more than 2,000
carloads of fruit annually.
But the prosperity of the matur-
ing industry was also the cause of its
decline. By the 1940s the older groves
The) l~! Heidi Hubbs
DAY Photography t~! Lynda Miller
MALDEN
LORDSBUR R NAME
llT~ere'll Be a Hot Twne forced to sell his hotel and his a unique identity for the town and
in the Old Town holdings in the community because felt that a more aistinguished name
To n i g h t ." the hoped-for real estate "boom" would put them on the map. They
That is what was played by a "comb" never happened. This took place a~gued that there already was a Lt~rd-
orchestra at the mock wedding during the same time he was sburg, New Mexico, on the same
ceremony on Sept. 2'7, 1917, as two establishing the town. Santa Fe line, which was causing
identifies joined hands in matrimony The hotel and 100 lots were great confusion to deliveries of mail
The "mareage" was to commemorate subsequently sold to men represent- and freight.
the name change of U.~rdsburg to its ing the Church of the Brethren. The However, it took until May 1917
new name La Verne. agreement stated that the men would for the name change idea to become
This eccentric but ver~' real turn the hotel into a college and bring a full-blown issue. [n a May issue of
ceremony took place i/~ the members of their sect to the town. In the Lordsburg-La Verne Leader,
auditorium of La Verne Col]e~,e. The 1891 Lt~rdsburg College was opened. Green wrote that residents had been
bridal couple was dressed in full, for- In the meantime, the townspeo- submitting unsolicited names for the
mal attire. The "bride" (h~rdsburg), pie were growing tired of the name city, but that the name La Veme
camed a bouquet of orange blossoms "h~rdsburg." in the Dec. 5, 19'12, issue seemed to be the favorite.
and was portrayed by local barber of the Lordsburg-La Veme Leader, Meanwhile, Lordsburg College
Oscar W. Ra!~ and tl~e "gr<x~m" (La the headline read, 'THIS TOWN was attempting to change its name to
Verne) was a tall and quite thin W. NEEDS A NE~,V NAME." This was "Palmera:' In a petition to the court,
S. Romick. Herroy Nichols presided the first recorded indication of the Lordsburg College stated its views
over the mareage, and after the move to change the town's name. But were different than those of the man
ceremonv he placed a yoke over the the issue was continually causing for whom the college was named.
couple. Other weddi6g attendants serious consternation to residents. Their petition was subsequently
included seven flower girls: Lois H.W. Green, publisher of the denied by the courts. '
Miller, Lois and Alice Dunward, Lola Lordsburg-La Ven~e Leader, cited one 1. W. Lord, living in the h3s
and Miriam Schirk, and Gladvs and such anecdote in his paper. On his Angeles area, read about the petition
Hazel Snoke. Each girl recited a way home one evening, the train in the papers and was outraged. He
poem to celebrate the occasion. A conductor asked Green where he wrote a letter to the Lordsburg-La
reception immediateIv followed, would be getting off. Green, under Veme Leader. This letter and his per-
complete with cake and punch. his breath, replied, "Lordsburg." The sonal campaign may well have been
Now you might be asking conductor could not hear him and the reason why the college's petition
yourself, whv was this "marriage" asked him once again, forcing a was not granted. The letter read as
necessary? ~,'ghat was the point of iouder response from Green. Once follows:
changin~ the town's name? It seems again Green answered. This ex-
the people of Lordsburg simply change was repeated four times. The "Dear Sir: I ~e t.nt an article in the
wanted a new name. train conductor blurted out, "Oh, Los An,~eles Times that the tntstees of
Isaac W. Lord came to this area Lordsburg/' Green was so embarras- h~rdsbu~ College have petitioned the
in 1887. He settled two miles from a sed by the name "Lordsburg" that court to change the name to Pahnem Col-
small settlement called La Veme that from that day on, he vowed to begin lege because the City of Lorrlsbu~ u,as
was divided by the newly laid Santa his quest to change the name of the named after a man who is not in silm-
Fe Railroad line. Lord wanted to town. pathy with the purposes and objeciives
establish his new city near the It seems many outside people of the collie.
Southern Pacific railway due to an were poking fun at the town, refer- "If tnie, this mat/be a criminal
.
argument he had with a business- ring to it as "Jesusburg." Indeed, for fi'nse, if not trite, they are'culprits fi~r it
man fn~m Southern l~acific over a town made up predominately of seems the/hazy no other ,e,n'etvmces.
their over-priced freight rates. German-Baptist Brethren, there was The/are courteous enough to call me a
Meanwhile, I_t~rd built a hotel on his great embarrassment on the religious man, u,hich is no nebr.,s, fi~r I hat~' often,
property and named it and the town connotations of Lordsburg. duHn, k~ the past 60 years m this state had
after himself. As it turned out, the Some felt the town shouldn't be that/hnnvn up to me. 1 am the last to
. ....
hotel grvunds comprised an int~stment not find one person who was oppos- mail and fretS, hi shipments, because of
of nearly $100,O00. The boom of1887 had ed to a name change. confitsing this'to~,~ with Lontslmr~ Ne~i,
burst. We mere offered $25,000 for the Major points brought up at the Mexico, because both art' on the Santa Fe
properfly for commercial purposes. Then meeting as reported by the Leader system. And ~nalh/, Z Mr. Lord said a
i! rea ior,s org .i tio. offered were as fonows: L The i,,te ts
ii $12,500, agreeing to maintain a religious Lordsburg and La Verne are in common. willing to have the people change the
college with first class pn~fessors with It is already one cotnmltnity. 2. People in name if the~! so desired, but the m~n~ will
ii never less than 100 ad~anced students." tire La Ven~earea u~eregetting their mail not shcat~ itisrespect to him.
I' The letter continues, stating that the postmarked Lordsburg since there mas no Near the end of the meeting, ballots
', members of the Church of the La Verne Post Office. 3. That La Verne were passed around to the people of
'[ i Brethren did not keep their w6rd. hada!readYearneduidelzntblicitYbecause Lordsburg. The results were in: 96
I. W. Lord~ letter threw water on the citrus labels from the La Verne yes and 12 no. La Verne area
the name-change campaign. The Orange arut Lemon Assa~iation bore that residents voted, too. All 21 voted yes.
townspeople secretly vowed to wait tLame prominently. It uts stated that o~r More elections took place and
until his death. Therefore, any name 600,000 boxes had gone out fron, the more committees were set up. The
change ideas were postponed until Association during tire past season. 4. It city was divided into five sections
the death of I. W. Lord. u~s pryposed that under the name La with its own committee responsible
I. W. Lord let go of his hold on Verne, the people of the town and county for distributing a petition in the ter-
life and the town that bore his name u~guld be more dosely knit together and ritory. Another election was held Aug
in 1917. Lordsburg residents moved ztvould help business, social and church 9, 191Z. The Lordsburg-La Verne
fast: On June 21, 19!Z a date was enterprises of the citr/, from whid~ sonre Leader printed the results. '~s votes:
made to hold a public debate on the La Veme people hart; hitherto held all of. 239; No votes: 81. In the Aug. 23
issue of whether the city of Lords- 5. The name "Lordsburg" is objected to, issue, the paper stated "LA VERNE
burg should be changed to La ~,~rne. because it occasions caustic comment and IS NOW THE OFFICIAL NAME." It
Many prominent men of the city took sometimes ridicule. Pupils of our schools became so on Aug 16, 1917, at 8:48
part in this discussion, along with are ann~ed h./this in their association p.m.
directors of the La Verne Orange and u,ith othbr schools. Some of olir citizens A celebration to commemorate
Lemon Growers Association. The when au~y from home registered their the event took place in the college
debate was held in the college residence as Ponr~ta m order to avoid the auditorium when a regular "marriage
L'I VERNE auditorium, and the June 28 issue of UnpleaSantneSS. Some who do not kn{nv ceremony/' joined Miss Lordsburg t{~
MAGAZINE the Leader reported the debate tire ongm of the name look lipoil it as Mr. La V~rne. It was to be a partner-
44 results: Members of the debate could sacrilege. 6. There is .h'equent delay in ship that has endured for 7() years.
·
Larry Henderson explained the procedure for designal and moving the
structure.
Chairman Schmidt closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Banks stated that she t the economic value as a
commercial use would be great if it to remain at the site.
Commissioner Arner moved to ~d to City Council the approval of
the Historic Landmark De on of 7165 Etiwanda Avenue. Commissioner
Banks seconded the moti, The motion was carried by the following
vote:
AYES: COMMISS : ARNER, BANKS, COOPER, BILLINGS, SCHMIDT
NOES: : NONE
ABSENT: ~IONERS: STAMM, HASKVITZ
/' --carried
E. HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF 6797 HELLMAN AVENUE, RANCHO
CUCAMONGA - A proposal to designate the Lord House, 6797
Hellman Avenue, a Historic Landmark - APN: 202-061-12.
Arlene Banks presented the staff report.
Chairman Schmidt opened the public hearing. Hearing none, Chairman
Schmidt closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Billings verified the significance of the house.
Commissioner Billings moved to recommend to City Council the approval of
Historic Landmark Designation of 6797 Hellman Avenue, excluding the out
buildings. Commissioner Arner seconded the motion. The motion was
carried by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: BILLINGS, ARNER, BANKS, COOPER, SCHMIDT
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: STAMM, HASKVITZ
--carried
HPC MINUTES -5- ~ ~ MAY 5, 1988
RESOLUTION NO. 8~-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL OF A HISTORIC LANDMARK TO DESIGNATE THE LORD
HOUSE LOCATED AT 6797 HELLMAN, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, AS A
HISTORIC LANDMARK - APN: 202-061-12
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has held a duly
advertised public hearing to consider all con~nents on the proposed Historic
Landmark Designation.
SECTION 1: The Rancho Cucamonga Historic Preservation Commission
hereby makes the f611owing findings for the Lord House and its site.
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
1. The proposed landmark is particularly representative of an
historical period, type, style, region, or way of life.
2. The proposed landmark is an example of a type of building which
was once common but is now rare.
3. The proposed landmark is of greater age than most of its kind.
4. The proposed landmark was connected with a business or use which
was once common but is now rare.
B. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
1.The proposed landmark materially benefits the historic character
of the neighborhood.
2. The proposed landmark in its location represents an established
and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, conm~unity and
city. ,
SECTION 2: Designation of a landmark is exempt from CEQA. (Article
19, Secti~
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rancho Cucamonga Historic
Preservation Commission does hereby recon~nend approval of Historic Landmark
Designation of 6797 Hellman, The Lord House and its site, to the City Council.
i~.~.ROVED A~
a S 5TH DAY OF ~y, 1988.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: BILLINGS, ARNER, BANKS, COOPER, SCHMIDT
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: STAMM, HASKVITZ
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING HISTORIC LANDMARK
DESIGNATION OF THE LORD HOUSE LOCATED AT 6797 HELLMAN
AVENUE AS A HISTORIC LANDMARK - APN: 202-061-12
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has held a duly
advertised public hearing to consider all comments on the proposed Historic
Landmark Designation and issued Resolution No. 88-09 recommending to this City
Council that said Historic Landmark Designation be approved.
WHEREAS, the City Council has received and reviewed all input from
the Historic Preservation Commission regarding said Historic Landmark
Designation.
SECTION 1: The Rancho Cucamonga City Council hereby makes the
following findings:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
1. The proposed landmark is particularly representative of an
historical period, type, style, region, or way of life.
2. The proposed landmark is an example of a type of building which
was once common but is now rare.
3. The proposed landmark is of greater age than most of its kind.
4. The proposed landmark was connected with a business or use which
was once common but is now rare.
B. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
1. The proposed landmark materially benefits the historic character
of the neighborhood.
2. The proposed landmark in its location represents an established
and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community, and
city.
NOW, THEREPORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rancho Cucamonga City
Council does hereby approve the Historic Landmark Designation of the Lord
House.
L,E!JELOF-'HENT L'Ot;'F' TE~ No.714-_='.92_~.,lil,21 ce~.:, i'z._:.D 1'-':.=-_'2' r' i ,z, . E, ,2! ,...:'
HIX DEVELOPMENT CORP.
February 12, 1990
Mr. Larry Henderson
Advance Planning
Post Office Box
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
RE: Lord House, Tentative Tract 14192
Dear Larry,
Enclosed is our initial proposal for treatment of the Lord House
along with our proposed development of single family homes.
thought I would clarify one main item.
We are proposing some removing of the existing structure. This
is due to the fact that its roof line is inconsistent with the
original structure and the fact that its interior function can
This is an initial proposal and we would like to get the input
of both the staff and the HPC regarding the final specific
plans.
Once again, our walk through is scheduled for 2:00pm this
Tuesday, February 12, 1990.
Si ely,
February 12, 1990
PROPOSAL FOR LORD HOUSE, PORTION OF TEN TRCT #14192
The following is an outline of our Proposal for the Lord
Mouse and its surrounding site. Item number one relates
directly to action requested of the Historical Preservation
Commision at the upcoming meeting of March 1, 1990. The
remaining items could be conditioned to be settled prior to
any new construction on the site taking place. we would
propose to have all improvements to the house and site
completed prior to the opening of our model complex lanned
elote 1-4 accross the new street to the north. W~ would
to work with staff and =he HPC to reach an agreement
detailing the specifics of items 2 and 3 Our proposal
follows: '
1. The approved lot line layout as designated in Master
Plan of Streets PR 88-92 approved along with Parcel Map
12218 at the Planning Commision meeting of May 10, 1989
and subsequently, as required, by the Planning and
Engineering Divisions (letter of June 26, 1989)
accomplishes the following:
a. Provides exposure to the Lord House from three
sides which allows increased visibility in order to
"show off,, the house while maintaining a very large
measure of privacy.
b. Provides substantial aPProximate setbacks as
follows:
98.7' 109.7'
NORTH 36.6' 48.6,
EAST(N.Wlng) 35' 47'
EAST(S.Wing) 71, e3,
SOUTH 74.5, NA
c. Preserves the important well established landscape
features of the site which include the entire front
area and the immediate side and rear areas.
d. Provides a manegable lot size (3/4 acre) that can
be reasonably expected to be maintained in good
condition.
2. Complete work on the exterior of the house and site to
bring it up to "excellent,, condition including:
a. Remove flat shed and hippad shed additions to the
original building at the rear (east) of ~he house
(aPproximately 19').
Lord House, Ten. Trct. 14192
· ,,'ELOF'MENT CO~'F' TEL NO.Ti4-t92-~O.L,Z, F_e~,
February 12, 1990
b. Re-establish the original porch around the majority
of the four sides of the house.
c. Fence Perimeter of the property with a design of
river rock pilasters and wrought iron inserts to
preserve the majority of views to the house. The
south property boundary wall would be a solid wall
type.
d. Trim existing landscaping as appropriate and clean
up the existing grounds of the property.
e. Remove the existing chain lank fenoe and the wood
fence.
f. Demolish other existing sheds of the original
site.
g. ConstruCt a compatible two car garage and
appropriate driveway alignment for access and
parking for the residence (see exhibit enclosed).
The driveway approach from 'A' Street is consistent
with the Engineering Division's desire to rear
access for the existing homes on Hellman Avenue
thereby limiting access from Hellman. The
suggested location will prohibit the parking of
care on site in front of the residence.
3. Restrict the use of the house to residential only by
aPPropriate mechanism.
4. Provide deed restrictions for Preservation of the
proposed fence as constructed, and protecting
landscaping. The city could be given direct power in
5. Enter into a Mills Act contract allowing the future
owner to realize tax benefits encouraging the complete
restoration of the interior
of the house and creating
preservation agreement with the city.
homes on Hellman Avenue have rear access thereby
limiting access from Hellman. The suggested location
Lord House, Ten. Trct. 14192
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA,
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT
90-02, THE LORD HOUSE, LOCATED AT 6797 HELLMAN
AVENUE - APN: ~02-06]-!2.
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has held a duly
advertised public hearing to consider all comments on the proposed Landmark
Designation. .
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has received and
reviewed all input regarding said Landmark Alteration Permit.
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this
Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Historic Preservation Commission hereby
specifically finds, determines, and resolves as follows:
SECTION I: The application applies to the modifications as
indicated by the applicant's letter dated February 12, 1990, with the
structure and property located at Assessor's Parcel No. 202-061-!2, and as
modified by the Historic Preservation Commission at their hearing on March 1
! 990. ,
SECTION II: The proposed landmark alteration meets the
following criteria established in Chapter 2.24 of the Rancho Cucamonga
Municipal Code:
A. The proposed action is consistent with the purpose of Chapter
2.24 of the City Municipal Code and;
B. The proposed action will not be detrimental to the structure
from a significant aesthetic, cultural, architectural, or
engineering interest or value of an historic nature and;
C. The action proposed is necessary to assure the continued and
consistent maintenance and condition of the structure.
SECTION III: This Landmark Alteration Permit is exempt from CEQA
(Article 10, Section ]530l).
SECTION IV: Based on the substantial evidence received and reviewed
by this Commission and based on the findings set forth above,
HPC RESOLUTION NO.
LAPA 90-02 - LORD HOUSE
March ], 1990
Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rancho Cucamonga Historic
Preservation Commission does hereby approve Landmark Alteration Permit 90-02,
the Lord House, as described in the March ~ 1990 Staff Report, with the
following conditions: "
1. Alterations and rehabilitation shall comply with the plans and
specifications provided within the Staff Report dated March l,
1990 and consist of the modifications indicated in
alternative
2. This approval shall expire, unless extended by the Historic
Preservation Commission, if the modifications as indicated have
not been completed within 24 months from the date of approval.
3. Detail plan for the approved modifications to the site and
structure shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation
Commission for their review and approval prior to the issuance
of any building permits for said tract. Implementation of the
plans by the Historic Preservation Commission shall be prior to
occupancy being released for model homes for the subject tract.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 1ST DAY OF MARCH, 1990.
BY:
Bob Schmidt, Chairman
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
HIX DEVELOPMENT CORE c, ,': ~1~ - ~
· - '-, e ' ? 7i~!~, ,
February 27, 1991 166t i E~I
Ms. Anthea Hartig vD,~ .~-,,,O~-~.~ ~ A~t3
Associate Planner -- O~/.~...~ ~
Planning Division
City of Rancho Cucamonga
10500 Civic Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
RE: Landmark Alteration Permit
The Lord House, 6797 Hellman Avenue
Dear Ms. Hartig:
Enclosed is our application for improvements and modifications to
the Lord House and its site as approved in conjunction with
Tentative Tract 14192. Please find eight copies of the site and
garage building plans, Exhibit I which is a general description
of the work to be performed, and one set of photos.
The proposed improvements will preserve the present character of
the house, bring the exterior appearance of the house and grounds
to an excellent condition, and preserve access and service
consistent with the new street alignments.
Our intent is to bring the house to a substantially improved
condition while preserving maximum flexibility for the new owner
to continue the improvement and restoration process.
In addition to the proposed work detailed in the application and
site plan, we would propose to the place the following
restrictions on the property:
1. Restriction for residential use only.
2. All parking of vehicles to be in or behind garage
structure.
3. Maintenance of parkway landscaping, approved walls,
existing trees, and grove areas.
We will also enter into a Mills Act contract that the new owner
would inherit.
Regarding the proposed parkway landscaping you will notice that
no trees are proposed. Since the Lord House contains a number of
mature trees, chiefly the fan palms along the north boundary, we
are showing a shrub and ground cover treatment of this area. The
EXHIBIT HPC-3
plant material is consistent with that proposed further south
along Hellman Ave with our submittal for Tract 14192-1. This was
based on a preliminary conversation with Laura Bonnaccorsi of the
Engineering Division. We also plan to establish a row of date
palms along the west boundary of the lot, with trees that are
required to be relocated within the tract.
Due to grade changes dictated by engineering constraints on the
new street, we are concerned about the location of the row of
Palms near the north boundary. The following options exist:
1. Preserve in place by "welling- as necessary or
construction of a retaining wall.
2. Relocate in a line 5-10~ south of their existing
location.
3. Allow sidewalk to be place directly adjacent to
the curb for this section north of the Lord House.
This would allow more room for a transition in
grade from City sidewalk to present existing grade.
The ability to accomplish number i above will be determined by an
exact location of the trees by field survey. To insure the
health of the trees we will need a minimum of two feet from back
of sidewalk to their base.
Please discuss the possibility of number 3 above with the
engineering division. We think this may be the best option in
order to maximize the ease of transition and the health of the
trees.
Please let me know of any further information necessary in order
to process this application. Thank you for your consideration.
Bob Yode~
General Manager
EXHIBIT 1
LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT APPLICATION
PROPOSED WORK FOR LORD HOUSE
1. Parkway landscaping and irrigation - conceptual proposed on
site plan. We propose to include this area on our Detailed
Landscape Plan that is required for Tract 14192-1. Our
objective is to complement the existing Lord House prominent
features - chiefly the Palms. The Detailed Site Plan is
subject to final approval of Laura Bonnaccorsi and Planning
Division.
2. Perimeter fencing:
~ !~j --= a. West and North - River rock pilaster with white
....... ~-~ wrought iron inserts. Layout as per site plan -
~_; ~ design per photos sample.
~ b. East and South - Mission brown slumpblock
~ cap. Layout as per site plan - design per photos
~ sample. It will be necessa~-~~o_some~-
extent the existing Oleanders on south boundary to
i construct the wall.
3. Remove rear yard wood fencing.
4. Remove perimeter and interior chain link fencing.
5. Remove "undergrowth- landscaping in grove areas - grading and
clean and clean-up to benefit the health of citrus trees per
the recommendations of arborist. Trim and/or remove existing
shrubs based on health and/or appearance. Remove all weeds and
even grade.
6. Scrape and remove gravel from past drive areas.
7. Construct entry paving from north sidewalk to west and north
house entries. Utilize existing brick paving to west entry.
8. Remove flat shed roof at east of building - approximately 8' in
width.
9. Construct driveway and new garage per proposed site plan and
elevations to match appearance of existing structure.
10. Demolition of existing garage and storage shelter. These
structures are located off the site of the Lord House as
approved per Tentative Tract 14192; they are actually located
on lot 25 of Tract 14192-1.
11. Relocate trees numbered 6, 23, 24, 40, 55 and replace trees
numbered 57, 19, 21 as required by Planning Division condition.
12. Underground existing Edison, and telephone service per
engineering requirements for the tract.
2. Historic name: Lord House
3. Street or rural address: 6797 Hellman Ave.
CIty:... Rancho Cucamonga Zip: 91701 County: San Bernardino
?= := Assessor's Parcel no. 202-061-12 Zone: Low density residenti
Legal Description:
4. Present C~ner: Hix Development Corp. Address: 437 S. Cataract Ave., #3
City: San Dimas Zip: 91773 Ownership is: Public
Private
5. Present Use:-- Vacant l~esidence Original Use: Residence
Other past uses: Repidence
~:~ .~ ._ W.~+~._~(t,e lition, ~del addition, etc,). See attac~ed description 'gxhibit 1"
8. CoMitton of St~ctu~ Good
9. Justification fop Work: (a) provide an excellent: ext, erior appearance
to the house and grounds, (b) provide parking and garage storage
~By [Tom s~ree~ views o~ house.
10. O~heP
WITH EACH APPLICATION FOR HISTORIC LANDrtARK ALTERATION PERMIT INCLUD~EEi~c~(8)
COMPLETE COPIES OF THE SITE AND BUILDING PLANS. THESE SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
INFORI~ATION AND DATA. ALL PLANS TO BE:PREPARED TO SCALE.
a. Name of the person or rim preparing the Plans, for whom drawn and date.
b. North point; the top of the paper is.usually north.
c. Scale, usually 1/8" = l' or l': 20' site plan and 1/4": l' for building Plans.
d. Site Plan to include:
1. Dimensions of the lot.
2. Building locations and their relationship to each other and the lot lines.
3. Locations of all existing features, buildings and trees.
4. Parking, drives, entrances and all paved areas for auto, Pedestrian and
bicycle circulation.
5. Topography, existing and proposed; REq(JIRED on all sloopes over lO~.
6. Drainage
e. Landscaping: List size, type, and number of plants, including irrigation system.
f. Signs and graphics.
g. Elevations: all four sides, to scale and dlmensioned, showing stairs, ramps
elevators, down spouts, flues, fans and roof equipment. '
h. Screening of mechanical equipment and trash and utility facilities.
i. Haterials: i.e., texture, color and finish of fencing, walls, roof, balcony,
etc.
j. Photographs of existing elevations of structures on site {1 set).
City Use Only
Approved - Subject to the attached conditions.
Denied
Date
City ' onga It~~2
C~ onfa Item:
n
INSIDE-OUT LANDMARK
REHAB FOR SEISMIC
SAFETY
l-n the heart of Santa Barbara, in its present form from the early adobe building--said to be the fin-
California, filling a third of a 1920s, the meandering complex est of its type in the United States-
.block between City Hall and is both a tiny self-contained busi- that was built in 1819 as the home
the main post office, is one of the ness district40 percent retail, 25 of Comandante Don Jose Antonio
city's most cherished landmarks: percent restaurants, the balance Julian de la Guerra y Noriega. In
El Paseo, a National Trust-listed, offices (30 percent) and apart- 1923, the venerable house was in-
74,000-square-foot endave of tile- ments (5 percent)--and a regional corporated with other new and old
roofed shops, studios, restaurants, tourist attraction. Spanish Colonial- and Mission-
offices, and apartments linked by The complex was constructed style buildings into today's "Medi-
courtyards and walkways. Dating around the Casa de la Guerra, an terranean village." El Paseo was
sturdy enough to survive a devas-
tating earthquake that leveled
nearly a third of downtown Santa
Barbara in 1925, but with walls
built mainly of stucco-covered
,~ hollow clay tile, its materials would
t ~ be strictly forbidden under mod-
ern building codes.
Acquired by the Santa Barbara
Trust for Historic Preservation in
1971, E! Paseo was sold to Peter
Kaufman and [] Paseo Properties
in early 1989 for restoration and
renovation--a job, the Trust real-
ized, that required the attention
and resources of a private devel-
oper. The city of Santa Barbara,
however, had recently enacted
new seismic regulations that ef-
fectively would have condemned
more than 25 percent of El Paseo's
existing fabric. Kaufman retained
UR~ Consultants, Inc., to provide
an "invisible" seismic upgrade of
the 1920s complex.
Challenged with a virtual maze
EIPameo, Santa Barbaurn'. popular and himoric downtown pedutrian _.n!. is reeeiving a of Walls of varying heights and
complete structural and seismic rehabilitation in the course of · general restoration. orientations--and a hodgepodge
Restaurants, studice, ',hope, offices, and apartments oecuFy a cornpier of adobe and
masonry buildings that Ins been likened to a traditional Mediterranean village. Of old built-up wood floors, lumber
struts, floor joists, and concrete
30 February91/~l:',"l~,.
beams with unknown reinforce- from paving bricks to roof tiles ants already have moved back
ment--URS's engineers first aria- and in between. The Trust, which into their renovated spaces. ·
lyzed the sprawling structure and with the City Landmarks Commit-
divided it into a series of smaller tee retains approval authority over
rectangular "boxes." Each box all exterior and some interior
This solution was submitted by Ed
then was strengthened, where changes, is quite pleased with the Curran, URS principal-in-charge for
necessary, by converting masonry results to date. Reconstruction got the El Paseo seismic upgrade. URS
walls into earthquake-resistant under way in summer 1990. The Consultants, Inc., is a national engi-
shear walls. The final step was to project is scheduled for comple- neering/architectural firm headquar-
strengthen selected floor and roof tion this spring, and the first ten- tered in San Francisco.
diaphragms, to create load paths
that would transfer seismic forces
safely through the new shear walls
to the ground. [-------]
The buildings' landmark status
added considerably to the chal- i . I
original thickness and appearance < wo s,o.¢,"7~ i:; ~
when the job was done, and most E×isting S.ildi.g~ :: j ,i
of the building facades, many t i $ ourt,.~d ( ~ ?'?'S~°n~'!
decorated with frescoes, could be E . '~',~k,~ i: 7 ........
worked on only from behind or ......
within. ~ c... a~
With few construction drawings $ ~ h ~.-.
or records of materials used for [ :'~ '
the original construction, each ~' C::o..~rd
building presented its own struc- ~ ]i Ex:sting BuildinS:
tural mysteries. Much of the retro- ~ . i
fit design, especially in the early .... ~ l~ c, .....s~
stages, was based of necessity on The [] P~.o eompl~t wa~ built trotrod tl~ hi~torle i d~ la Guerra in 19~3. Its maze of
experience and intuition. When ~ with van/in· beighm ~mt orien,-tlon~long with the ~tructun's
finally a cut was made into a wall ~ r~tontion ma r~nontion ,, rh~n~.
or floor, it always seemed to reveal
a surprise waiting to send engi-
neers back to the drawing board.
From the start, the city of
I.~ New Roof
Santa Barbara proved a model of
cooperation. Understanding that c ....... ~ Existing C Sheathing
Beam ~ Existing Concrete
the preliminary designs had to ,- ~.~ ~¢am-
be somewhat conjectural, of~- c~,.,,, Ne~
B Filler qtrap
cials went out of their way to ex- ~hten~d -- 1
pedite building permits, some- L~,,i.g ....
times approving the customized c ........ ~ noo~ E~i~ti.g
Bond ~ Joist Concrete i
details in advance so the project s ....... so.d . I .....
Beam
could proceed. (A separate up- Ceaing ............
grade project, using different B ..... t ......g <~,~i,e
technology, also is going on at the t:l~, ria~ w~l~' ~ .......g
n~'~ (]a~ [ile
Casa de la Guerra.) The structural ~,,,, . ~ ~ .....g
work, which turned out to repre- ~ ........g ~oo~ s~
Fot~ting
sent something of an ultimate Typical wall leeriota, before (left) ~gl tak~· nmm'~ioa. For · typimi 17"4hick ground-
challenge in complexity, has been floor ~ (·ctua!ly a~ double wall of ~" hollow clay tile lectio,~-, with hollow ,pgce
an education. between), the fit~t Itep w~ to rt~move o~e thiatme~ of tile. gtlnforcing ,.reel was tied
With structural safety assured, into the existing footing mad into the overhead concrete bond beam that carries the
the development team meticu- upper rioon. High-strength Gunite-pneunnatically placed concrete-formed an inner
wall 4" to 8" thick. A layer of stucco and pigment re-created the waH's original texture
iously restored every important and color.
historic detail of the complex,
'l:-.,-,~,O ,~,'~/Februa~91 31
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE OF PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: LANDMARK DESIGNATION 91-01 - MAGIC LAMP RESTAURANT
I, Shel 1 ey Petrel 1 i, decl are as fol 1 ows:
That I am the Historic Preservation Commission Secretary of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga; that at a regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission
of the City of Rancho Cucamonga held on March 7, 1991, said public hearing was
opened and continued to the time and place specified in the NOTICE OF
CONTINUANCE attached hereto; and that on April 4, 1991, at the hour of 7:00
P.M., a copy of said notice was posted in a conspicuous place near the door in
which said meeting was held.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on March 8, 1991, at Rancho Cucamonga, California.
SP
hel 1 ey etr 1 i
rvati on Secretary
CONTINUANCE OF PUBLIC HEARING
At their regular meeting held on March 7, 1991, the Rancho Cucamonga
Historic Preservation Commission continued the following item(s) to
their meeting to be held on April 4, 1991.
LANDMARK DESIGNATION 91-01 - THE MAGIC LANP RESTAURANT - Consideration of an
application to designate the Magic Lamp Restaurant (formerly Lucy and John's
Care}, located at 8189 Foothill Boulevard, as an Historic Landmark - APN:
207-113-12 through 14.
The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Rancho
Cucamonga City Hall, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga,
California.
Said continuance was passed by the following vote:
Ayes: ARNER, BANKS, BILLINGS, COOPER, HASKVITZ, PRESTON, SCHMIDT
Noes: NONE
Absent: NONE
Abstain: NONE
March 8, 1991 '
Date i
Historic Preservation Commission Secretary