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RESOURCES PRESENT: <br /> El Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ® Element of District ❑ Other <br /> MOVED? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location: <br /> STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, <br /> period,geographic scope,and integrity.) <br /> Santa Ana was founded by William Spurgeon in 1869 as a speculative townsite on part of the Spanish land grant known as Rancho <br /> Santiago de Santa Ana. Early growth and development was stimulated by the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1878 and the <br /> 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 <br /> commercial buildings on 4th Street,with the heart of the city at the intersection of 4th and Main Streets.(Thomas,8:1) By the turn of <br /> the century and into the 1920s,older building facades were being updated and renewed by remodeling,a practice that intensified <br /> following the 1933 earthquake. <br /> The Gilmaker Block is an 1888 building that either was extensively remodeled or rebuilt by architect Edwin C.Thorne in 1920. The <br /> building has architectural significance as an appropriately rehabilitated example of the brick vernacular commercial style that was <br /> prevalent on smaller commercial building in towns across the west. As a result of the rehabilitation,the building illustrates many of <br /> the characteristics of this building type,including the use of glazed brick to define traditional building features;brick construction; <br /> recessed entrances flanked by large display windows;glazed transoms;and an overall balanced appearance. Although altered,the <br /> Gilmaker Block effectively conveys its style and period of construction. <br /> Character-defining exterior features which should be preserved include,but are not limited to: brick exterior;glazed brick trim; <br /> parapet;bay divisions articulated by piers;and architectural ornamentation. <br /> ;MMARY/CONCLUSION: <br /> This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as a contributor to the Downtown Historic District, <br /> following completion of a certified rehabilitation. Under the regulations implementing the California Register of Historical Resources, <br /> the building is also listed in the California Register. As a well-articulated example of a building type prevalent during the first quarter <br /> of the 20d'century,the Gilmaker Block satisfies Criterion 1 for inclusion in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Property. <br /> Additionally,the property has been categorized as"Key"because it has a"distinctive architectural style and quality"and"is <br /> characteristic of a significant period in the history of the City of Santa Ana"(Municipal Code,Section 30-2.2(2)). <br /> OWNER AND ADDRESS: Bruno and Raquel Ledwin <br /> P.O.Box 7677 <br /> Laguna Niguel,CA 92607 <br /> Ng.3 of 1 <br /> caliistodc templatcsWour0302 W <br /> 2/20/01 <br />