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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHC A 5 18 Outline for Item 31. IS THE HISTORIC JOHNSON BLOCK A SINGLE PROPERTY/RESOURCE OR MULTIPLE? SHPO link: National Register Bulletin 24: Technical Information on Comprehensive Planning, Survey of Cultural Resources, and Registration in the National Register of Historic Places: Historic property: A district, site, building, structure, or object significant in American history, architecture, engineering, archeology, and culture. A historic property may be a row of stores having cast-iron fronts or Mount Vernon, a water tower or a city park, a railroad station, an ethnic neighborhood, or the archeological remains of a prehistoric Indian village. Building: A building, such as a house, barn, church, hotel, or similar construction is created to shelter any form of human activity. Building may also be used to refer to a historically and functionally related unit, such as a courthouse and jail or a house and barn. Nonbinding best practice: National Register Bulletin: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation: “Parts of buildings, such as interiors, facades, or wings, are not eligible independent of the rest of the existing building. The whole building must be considered, and its significant features must be identified.” Of 187 Master List properties in San Luis Obispo, the Johnson Block appears to be unique in having variant listing for contiguous parts designed and built at one time. More commonly, contiguous or non-contiguous parts built at various times share one listing: the Mission (church and convento, 1793; church ell, 1893; reconstruction of corredor, porch, bell loft, and southwest wing, 1933–1939; extension of church ell, 1947), San Luis Obispo County Courthouse (Walker & Eisen, 1935 & 1940); and Madonna Inn (Louis Gould, 1957–69). 1935 freestanding SLO County Courthouse annex with 1873 County Courthouse Master List 1935–1940 SLO County Courthouse. Google Map 3D. 2. DOES THE RESOURCE HAVE THE SIGNIFICANCE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTRIBUTING LISTING? Historic Preservation Ordinance 14.01.020.12. Definition: Contributing List Resource or Property • Is the resource at least 50 years old? • Does it maintain its original or attained historic and architectural character? • Does it contribute either by itself or in conjunction with other structures to the unique or historic character of a Neighborhood? District? the City as a whole? 14.01.070. Evaluation Criteria for Historic Resource Listing Does the property/resource satisfy at least one of the following fifteen criteria? Architectural Criteria Does it embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represent the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values in Style • The relative purity of a traditional style? • Rarity of existence at any time in the locale? • Current rarity, although the structure reflects a once popular style? Traditional, vernacular and/or eclectic influences that represent a particular social milieu and period of the community? • The uniqueness of hybrid styles and how these styles are put together? Design • Notable attractiveness with aesthetic appeal because of its artistic merit, details and craftsmanship (even if not necessarily unique)? • An expression of interesting details and eclecticism among carpenter-builders, although the craftsmanship and artistic quality may not be superior Architect • A notable architect, including architects who made significant contributions to the state or region, or an architect whose work influenced development of the city, state or nation. • An architect who, in terms of craftsmanship, made significant contributions to San Luis Obispo Historic Criteria Is it History—Person Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history as • Significant to the community as a public leader (e.g., mayor, congress member, etc.) or for his or her fame and outstanding recognition—locally, regionally, or nationally? • Significant to the community as a public servant or person who made early, unique, or outstanding contributions to the community, important local affairs or institutions (e.g., council members, educators, medical professionals, clergymen, railroad officials)? History—Event Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the United States as • A landmark, famous, or first-of-its-kind event for the city—regardless of whether the impact of the event spread beyond the city? • A relatively unique, important or interesting contribution to the city (e.g., the Ah Louis Store as the center for Chinese-American cultural activities in early San Luis Obispo history)? History—Context Associated with and also a prime illustration of predominant patterns of political, social, economic, cultural, medical, educational, governmental, military, industrial, or religious history as • Early, first, or major patterns of local history, regardless of whether the historic effects go beyond the city level, that are intimately connected with the building (e.g., County Museum)? • Secondary patterns of local history, but closely associated with the building (e.g., Park Hotel)? 3. WHAT IS THE RESOURCE’S PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE? 4. DOES THE RESOURCE EXHIBIT A HIGH LEVEL OF INTEGRITY, EVIDENCED BY THE SURVIVAL OF CHARACTERISTICS THAT EXISTED DURING THE RESOURCE’S PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE? • Does it occupy its original site and has its original foundation has been changed? • Has it maintained enough of its historic character or appearance to be recognizable as an historic resource and to convey the reason(s) for its significance? • Has it retained Design? Setting? Materials? Workmanship? Feeling? Association? Below, to provide comparative data on integrity, are photographs from a successful Contributing delisting in the Downtown Historic District referred to by Vice-Chair Larrabee at the 27 Apr. 2020 hearing, the Greyhound Station/Kamm Garage; as well as photographs of four pilasters from 782–796 Higuera, the Higuera wing and tower of the Johnson Block. James Papp, Chair, City of San Luis Obispo Cultural Heritage Committee, 18 May 2020 1. 2. 3. 4. Pilasters at 782, 786, 790, and 796 Higuera. (1) is faced with modern thin brick from the 2009 restoration; (2) is faced with original pressed brick and original capital, astragals, nail-head molding, and cavetto, with integrated bearing-wall brick exposed behind; (3) has original pressed brick and ornamentation without the bearing wall exposed; and (4)—from the 1985 restoration of the tower—has original nail-head molding and cavetto exposed but the pressed brick covered with modern panels, possibly to match reconstructed pilasters elsewhere in the tower.