75C - HENINGER PARK ARC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

HISTORY OF SANTA ANA'S BUNGALOW NEIGHBORHOOD In the early 1980s a movement to preserve and restore the neighborhood's architectural legacy was organized and was known as the "Birch Street Citizens for a Better Neighborhood." Long time residents and newcomers alike had rediscovered the unique character and quality craftsmanship of Heninger Park's bungalow homes. They were alarmed by the increasing trend in the City to allow the demolition of houses to make way for the construction of large apartment buildings. Fearing the demise of the character of the neighborhood, as they knew it, and grieving the loss of irreplaceable well-built vintage homes, residents met to discuss the future of their neighborhood and make plans for its preservation. Residents believed that the architectural and historical character of the houses, churches, schools, commercial buildings, and neighborhood markets were one of the neighborhood's most important features. They developed a plan which included requesting the City Council designate Heninger Park as a special zoning district to recognize and preserve the unique character. Preliminary work was done before bringing their request to the City Council. A systematic block- by-block, house-by-house historic resources survey was conducted. The survey methodology included photography, mapping, architectural descriptions, and historical research. A black- and-white photograph was taken of each building. Slides of many of the houses and buildings were taken to illustrate a permanent slide show of the Heninger Park neighborhood. Maps were prepared to illustrate four different types of information including contributing buildings and noncontributing buildings. A brief paragraph was written describing the architectural style and details of each building and its contributive status. Each house was researched for historical significance in old city directories. This information included the year of construction, first owner's name and the name of subsequent owners, and the occupation and place of employment of the people and any children listed who had lived in the house. This amounted to a file on approximately 4,000 persons who lived in the Heninger Park neighborhood during its developing years. In April of 1986, the homeowners of Heninger Park appeared before the City Council to request approval of special zoning and guidelines for their neighborhood. Based on information presented by the neighborhood organization and City staff, the City Council officially created the Heninger Park specific development zone and guidelines. The language of the ordinance set forth standards for the restoration and revitalization of the exterior features of all properties. It was given the official designation Specific Development 40 or SD 40. The boundaries are First Street on the north, McFadden Avenue on the south, Flower Street on the west, and Sycamore Street on the east. The district is known as Santa Ana's Bungalow Neighborhood because of its many craftsman bungalow homes. 61 { O\",.:str