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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010425_Template-YWCA_1411NBroadway.pdfPage 1 of 4 cm\historic\templates\Broadway 1411 N 6/19/01 NAME Santa Ana-Tustin YWCA REF. NO. 63 ADDRESS 1411 North Broadway CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92706-3997 ORANGE COUNTY YEAR BUILT 1950 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Landmark HISTORIC DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD N/A NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION A, C NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS CODE 5S1 Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted USGS 7.5” Quad Date: T R _ of _ of Sec : B.M. Prehistoric Historic Both ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND RELATED TO PERIOD ARCHITECTURE: The Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style, as its name implies, encompasses two major subcategories. The Mission Revival vocabulary, popular between 1890 and 1920, drew its inspiration from the missions of the Southwest. Identifying features include curved parapets (or espadana); red tiled roofs and coping; low-pitched roofs, often with overhanging eaves; porch roofs supported by large, square piers; arches; and wall surfaces commonly covered in smooth stucco. The Spanish Colonial Revival flourished between 1915 and 1940, reaching its apex during the 1920s and 1930s. The movement received widespread attention after the Panama- California Exposition in San Diego in 1915, where lavish interpretations of Spanish and Mexican prototypes were showcased. Easily recognizable hallmarks of the Spanish Colonial Revival are low-pitched roofs, usually with little or no overhangs and red tile roof coverings, flat roofs surrounded by tiled parapets, and stuccoed walls. The Spanish vocabulary also includes arches, asymmetry, balconies and patios, window grilles, and wood, wrought iron, tile, or stone decorative elements. Page 2 of 4 cm\historic\templates\Broadway 1411 N 6/19/01 CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations) July 6, 1950: Construct YWCA recreation and office building. April 9, 1951: Finish auditorium for YWCA. April 28, 1952: Neon sign for YWCA. November 23, 1960: Interior alterations for YWCA. August 15, 1975: New locker & shower room for YWCA. April 21, 1986: Add second story [above existing gymnasium], remodel room adjacent to gym. RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape) None noted. DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and boundaries.) A one-story, L-shaped building that extends from Broadway east to Sycamore Street, the Santa Ana-Tustin YWCA exhibits the combination of Mediterranean and California Ranch style features that is typical of the post World War II Spanish Colonial Revival style. It is strongly horizontal in orientation, with a very low-pitched gable roof clad in red clay tile extending past the building to shelter a loggia. Substantial square piers support the overhang. The Broadway elevation is dominated by a large, central red brick chimney, flanked on each side by pairs of steel sash multi-paned windows, reflecting the use of the space inside as a living room. A gymnasium/auditorium is located in the eastern, Sycamore wing. The building has little architectural detailing, and the landscaping is neat and simple. Modifications include the addition of a second story above the gymnasium, requiring the enclosure of some window and door openings and application of new coating of stucco. HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS: Declaring “the girls of today are the wives, mothers, homemakers, business women, voters, and civic leaders of tomorrow . . .let us here at home pay more attention to our own girls and young women by helping the Santa Ana-Tustin YWCA have a building of its own at last,” the leadership of the YWCA kicked off its 1949-1950 building campaign. The local YWCA was an outgrowth of the movement started in 1924 by Ralph Smedley at the YMCA. Initially, the YWCA met at the YMCA, moving to rented quarters in several locations over the next quarter of a century. The organization acquired three contiguous lots on Sycamore and Broadway in the 1940s and engaged architect Harold Gimeno to design the new facility. Ground was broken in June 1950 and construction on the new $114,000 building begun by the Allison Honer Company. The new YWCA was dedicated in February 1951, with some interior work, including the auditorium, finished over the next few months. The building is currently (2001) in its 50th year of service. RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES: (List attributes and codes from Appendix 4 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation.) HP 13: Community center / social hall Page 3 of 4 cm\historic\templates\Broadway 1411 N 6/19/01 RESOURCES PRESENT: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other MOVED? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, geographic scope, and integrity.) Santa Ana was founded by William Spurgeon in 1869 as a speculative townsite on part of the Spanish land grant known as Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Early growth and development was stimulated by the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1878 and the Santa Fe Railroad in 1886. By the end of the 1880s, Santa Ana’s downtown business district was defined by five city blocks of brick commercial buildings on Fourth Street, with the heart of the city at the intersection of Fourth and Main Streets. Following its incorporation as a city in 1886, Santa Ana was recognized as one of the leading communities in the area in 1889 when it became the seat of the newly created County of Orange. From the beginning, social and fraternal organizations played an important role in the history of the town. The Masons and the Oddfellows both organized in 1875, and were followed before the close of the decade by the Good Templars Lodge and the Workmen Lodge. Dedicated to community service and fellowship, such organizations sponsored community events, often held in halls constructed for the purpose. Spurred by the growth the community experienced during the 1920s, several new associations were founded, and many older groups constructed new homes. The Santa-Tustin YWCA building, constructed in 1950, represents a third generation of club buildings to grace the community. The YWCA evolved from the YMCA movement started in 1924 by Ralph Smedley. There were many organizations within the YWCA framework, including the young businesswomen’s group; girl’s reserve programs; teen clubs; meetings for the wives of servicemen stationed in the area during and after World War II; a newcomers club; class for mothers of small children; a senior social club; and other classes and seminars. Dedicated in February of 1951, the YWCA has continued to serve the community with important programs from this building and represents a significant historic pattern in the development of Santa Ana. Exhibiting the simplicity of design characteristic of the post World War II Spanish Colonial Revival, the YWCA is also significant for architectural merit. Character-defining exterior features of the building, which should be preserved, include, but may not be limited to: roof configuration and materials; stucco cladding; brick chimney; original fenestration; loggia; and the horizontal emphasis of the building’s massing. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: The YWCA building is included in the Santa Ana Register of Historic Property, meeting Criteria 1 for distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or period and Criteria 4 for historical significance related to association with a renowned organization. The building has been categorized as “Landmark” because it “has historical/cultural significance to the City of Santa Ana” (Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2). The property also appears to be eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources. OWNER AND ADDRESS: Ron Middlebrook 1411 North Broadway Santa Ana, CA 92706 Page 4 of 4 cm\historic\templates\Broadway 1411 N 6/19/01 RECORDED BY: (Name, affiliation, and address) Leslie Heumann & Liz Carter Science Applications International Corporation 35 S. Raymond Avenue, Suite 204, Pasadena, CA 91105 DATE RECORDED: April 25, 2001 SURVEY TYPE: (Intensive, reconnaissance, or other) Intensive Survey Update REPORT CITATION: (Cite survey report and other sources) City of Santa Ana, Santa Ana’s Historic Treasures. REFERENCES: (List documents, date of publication, and page numbers. May also include oral interviews.) Harris, Cyril M. American Architecture: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York, WW Norton, 1998. Marsh, Diann. Santa Ana, An Illustrated History. Encinitas, Heritage Publishing, 1994. McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984. National Register Bulletin 16A. “How to Complete the National Register Registration Form.” Washington DC: National Register Branch, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, 1991. Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1969. Y.W.C.A. “The Girl of Today.” (no date; 1949 or 1950) “Aiding Girls in Y.W.C.A. Purpose,” Santa Ana Journal, 7/6/1936. “Dedicate New Y on Sunday,” unknown source, 2/19/1951. EVALUATOR: Leslie J. Heumann DATE OF EVALUATION: April 25, 2001 EXPLANATION OF CODES: • National Register Criteria for Evaluation: (From Appendix 7 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation) A: that are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. C: that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. • National Register Status Code: (From Appendix 2 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation) 5S1: Is separately listed or designated under an existing local ordinance, or is eligible for such listing or designation.