HRC FULL PACKET 2012-04-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

RESOURCES PRESENT: ® Building ^ Structure ^ Object ^ Site MOVED? ®No ^ Yes ^ Unknown Date: Original Location: ^ Otlter 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 1Zaneho 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 Itad expanded itt all directions to include both connnercial 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 natewat#hy as an example of the 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 188G. Character-defining exterior features of the Southern Comities Gas Company building, which should be preserved, include but may not be limited to: building massilrg 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 the National Register of Historic Places in L983 as au 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,"'9s on the state register," "has liistoricallculhtral significance to the City of Santa Ana," and "has a unique architectural significance" (Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2). OWNER AND ADDRESS: ^ District ®Element of District Page 3 of 4 cmViistoriclfemplates Second 207 W (So Co Gas) 1013101