25C - AGMT - HISTORIC PROPERTY 207 W SECOND ST

Home Browse Search

RESOURCES PRESENT: ® Building ? Structure ? Object MOVED? ® No ? Yes ? Unknown ? Site Date: Original Location: ? Other 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 early 1900s witnessed the construction of many new business blocks or remodels along Fourth and the adjacent streets, and by the 1920s Santa Ana's downtown had expanded in all directions to include both commercial and civic development. The Southern Counties Gas Company building is primarily significant for its pristine version of Georgian Revival styling, said by some to be the best example of its kind in Orange County as a whole and Santa Ana in particular (Thomas). It is also noteworthy as an example of tine work of Walker and Eisen, whose architectural oeuvre mostly encompassed large commercial and institutional buildings in the Beaux Arts, Italian Renaissance, and Moderne styles. Additionally, the building is symbolic of the historic importance of gas service in Santa Ana, which began with the installation of gas mains and streetlights in 1886. Character-defining exterior features of (lie Southern Counties Gas Company building, which should be preserved, include but may not be limited to: building massing and organization; roof configuration, materials, and features; variegated brick exterior walls and other finishes; architectural detailing, including frieze, piers, keystones, window and door framing; arched openings; and original glazing where extant. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: This building was listed in tlhe National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as an individual resource and 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. The property is included in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Property and 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: Page 3 of 4 cm\historiekcmplates Second 207 w (So Co Gas) 10/3/01 25C-9 ? District ® Element of District