C - 01-24-19_HPPA 202-208 WEST FOURTH STREET

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Page 4 of 5 cm\historic\templates\Fourth 202 W (Spurgeon Bldg) 8/21/01 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 (Thomas, 8:1). The period of 1911-1915 saw many characteristic new business blocks or remodels along Fourth Street, and by the 1920s Santa Ana’s downtown had expanded in each direction to include both commercial and civic development. The Spurgeon Building possesses a strong historic integrity and, in the nearly ninety years of its existence, has become recognized as a symbol of Santa Ana. It is historically significant as one of the most prominent buildings in downtown Santa Ana, emblematic of Santa Ana’s prosperity and primacy in the affairs of Orange County as well as home to numerous local professionals. A tangible legacy of Santa Ana’s founder and one of its foremost city builders, the building is the most significant extant building associated with William Spurgeon. In addition, the building is architecturally significant as a local example of the Commercial Style of architecture, which stood out in the city’s landscape as the tallest building until 1923. Due to the extraordinary importance and high integrity of the Spurgeon Building, all original features of the exterior should be considered to be character-defining and should be preserved, including (but not limited to): all exterior finishes; building configuration and bay divisions; tower; fenestration; and cornice. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: This building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and listed again in 1984 as a contributor to the Downtown Historic District. Under the regulations implementing the California Register of Historical Resources, the building is also listed in the California Register. Listed in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Property, the Spurgeon Building has been categorized as “Landmark” because it “is on the national register,” “is on the state register,” “has historical/cultural significance to the City of Santa Ana,” and “has a unique architectural significance” (Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2). OWNER AND ADDRESS: RECORDED BY: (Name, affiliation, and address) Leslie J. Heumann Science Applications International Corporation 35 S. Raymond Avenue, Suite 204, Pasadena, CA 91105 DATE RECORDED: July 3, 2001 C-18