A list of structures designated as historic in San Jose by the Historic Landmarks Comission (as of August 2001.)
Classifications and Criteria for listings
Descriptions of San Jose's Conservation Areas
This document is the result of the efforts of many people over many years. In 1977, a comprehensive survey was made of the City's central planning area, including the Central Business District, to identify historically and architecturally significant buildings or structures. The year-long study identified some 1800 buildings and structures, 300 of which were eventually to make up the "Official Survey of Historic Places" within the City. Ultimately, the structures were to be added to the list of approved City landmarks.
Subsequently, it was realized that methods of classifying the resources identified in the previous study but not included as official City landmarks should be developed. In addition, the resources should be shown on maps for appropriate City use. In 1979-1980, the process of reclassifying and mapping the central planning area's historical and architectural resources was carried out by the firm of Urban/Rural Conservation under contract to the San Jose's Parks and Recreation Department.
In 1981, the San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission decided to make the Urban/Rural Conservation document more comprehensive by including within it city-wide resources identified in other surveys, such as the Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory. This inventory is the result of that effort.
It is important to keep in mind that this historic resources inventory does not include all of San Jose's fine historic and architectural resources. Many structures have never been surveyed. It is hoped that, over time, these resources will be recognized for inclusion in this document. The process of additions and/or revisions to this inventory is discussed in another section of this report.
The primary purpose of this document is to identify for various City departments those historic and architectural resources that should receive careful scrutiny during land use and development planning. The City's Planning Department considers requests for rezonings, planned development permits, site development permits, use permits, variances, and tentative maps; and the Neighborhood Preservation Department processes building permits and demolition permits.
Under City policy, permits processed by the Department of City Planning must receive environmental review. This was the primary impetus for the creation of this inventory. Environmental review is presently undertaken by the Department of City Planning, which operates in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The environmental review staff should consult this document to determine if any proposed project will directly or indirectly impact the resources listed in this inventory.
Permits to alter or demolish structures within the City of San Jose are issued by the Building Division of the Neighborhood Preservation Department. Generally, these permits do not receive environmental review. Thus, it is important for Building Division staff to check this inventory to determine whether structures proposed to be altered or demolished are listed. If a structure is listed, the project should be referred to the Planning Department for environmental review before the issuance of any requested permits.
Other departments within the City, from time to time, undertake public projects that may affect the resources that this inventory seeks to protect. As with the Planning and Neighborhood Preservation Departments, other City departments should consult this document to determine whether historic resources are in or adjacent to each project area.
Indirect impacts on historic structures or districts should also be considered. Planning and Neighborhood Preservation staff should take into account the historic character of an area or neighborhood and discourage the building of structures that are out of scale for this area, constructed of inappropriate materials, or architecturally incompatible.
Aside from the City's permit process, there are other uses for this document. A variety of City departments can refer to it in response to inquiries about the development potential of properties, and members of the public can utilize this inventory as an historic resource document.
On March 18th, 1986 the Council of the City of San Jose adopted Resolution 58957 approving the use of the Historic Resources Inventory as a reference guide for land use and development planning and authorized the Historic Landmarks Commission to maintain the Inventory. In approving the Inventory as a historic resources reference guide, the Council identified that:
This inventory is intended to be dynamic and to change as other structures are added or revisions are made to the classifications of existing listings. The Inventory shall be made available to the public and to City Departments for use as appropriate, including as a resource in conducting environmental and project review of requests for demolition permits and for land use and development approvals.
The Historic Landmarks Commission and its Staff are authorized by the City Council to maintain the inventory, adding and deleting listings as appropriate, and continue to utilize the Inventory as a tool in recommending formal designation of the historic landmarks or districts.
Additions to or deletions from the inventory can be requested by the property owner or the community at large. Requests should be made in writing to the San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission. Following the Commission's evaluation, the City Council and various City departments utilizing the document will be informed of the changes recommended by the Commission. Revisions to the existing classifications will be made as necessary by the Commission and distributed to appropriate City departments.
Requests should be directed to:
Historic Preservation Officer
Department of City Planning
City of San Jose, 400 City Hall Annex
801 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 277-4576
The first inventory of San Jose's historical and architectural heritage appeared in 1985. This current inventory would not have been possible without the combined efforts of numerous people, especially the San Jose Historic Landmarks Commissioners. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of:
We would also like to express our thanks to the City of San Jose and the Staff and secretarial support that enabled the completion of this document.
We dedicate this to the business people, real estate developers, and owners whose pride in San Jose's historic structures has led to the restoration and rehabilitation of our heritage buildings, breathing new life into them for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future San Joseans.
Updated March 2002