The City of Long Beach has recognized certain buildings and neighborhoods as having special architectural and historical value. The City Council designates historic landmarks, historic districts, historic places and historic objects by city ordinance.
Buildings may be eligible for landmark status if they have historic and/or architectural value and have retained their original exterior form and materials. Buildings that are high quality examples of past architectural style or that have historical associations or unusual architectural characteristics may meet the criteria for landmark designation.
Historic districts are areas containing groups of older houses that are intact and unaltered. While each building may not be individually worthy of landmark status, collectively they preserve the visual qualities and ambiance of the past. Streetscape features, such as trees or light standards, may contribute to the historic value of the district.
Citywide Historical Districts Map
17 Belmont Heights
A neighborhood of homes developed in the first decades of the 20th Century with some Victorian homes remaining. The Craftsman Bungalow style predominates with 2/3 of the homes in the area constructed in this style.
Other historic styles are Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revivial, and Neo-Traditional. The peak period of construction occured from 1918 to 1923, but the period of architectual significance is from 1905 to 1939. Back to Top
21 Bluff Heights
Adopted in 2004, the predominate architectural type in this district is the Craftsman Bungalow.
Intact Craftsman Bungalows constructed from approximately 1910-1923 are the single most prevalent type of home in the district. Back to Top
4 Bluff Park
A residential neighborhood consisting of large, stately single-family and multi-large family houses constructed between 1903 and 1949.
Located along the ocean bluffs, large two-story Craftsman Bungalows and Period Revival styles predominate. Back to Top
14 Brenner Place
The district contains ten small identical single-story structures on both sides of a narrow private street, culminating in two two-story structures adjacent to the alley.
Built by Mr. Steinbrenner in 1923, this group of Spanish Colonial Revival structures resembles courtyard housing. The visual unity and intimate scale create a unique charm reminiscent of a former era. Back to Top
1 California Heights
Approved by the City in February 1990 and expanded in 2000, the City’s largest historic district consists of approximately 1500 properties, predominantly Spanish Colonial Revival homes constructed in the late 20s. A scattering of other styles, Craftsman Bungalows and Tudor Revival, may be found, including some homes moved here from other locations.
Neo-Traditional homes built in the late 30’s and early 40’s are also included. Large mature street trees and vintage street lights enhance the neighborhood ambience. Back to Top
3 Carroll Park
Curving streets lined with Craftsman Bungalows recall the horse-and-buggy era for this subdivision laid out in 1907. Landscaped islands are a unique neighborhood amenity.
Homes were constructed here between 1898 and 1923. Several old barns survive from an earlier time. Back to Top
2 Drake Park
This district unites two previously designated districts, Drake Park and Willmore City. The former is named for Colonel Charles Drake, who was a pioneer developer of Long Beach’s Pike and beachfront resort. Willmore City is named for William Willmore, who first laid out housing tracts for Willmore City, which was later renamed Long Beach.
This neighborhood was part of Long Beach’s original 1881 city plan and contains the highest concentration of early 1900’s housing in the city, both single family and apartments. Homes here reflect Victorian, Craftsman, Mission, Prairie, Italian Renaissance and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. Back to Top
18 Eilot Lane
Eliot Lane is a one block historic district with small-scale homes lining a narrow street that was originally called Eliot Court. The homes were all built in 1923 by a single builder, Boland & Smith, and represent an early subdivision of modest homes at a time of booming economic growth in the City.
All the original construction remains in place today. Architecturally, the Mission Revival style predominates, and points towards the future. Some of the homes are Craftsman in style, recalling a style that was passing out of favor. The street has unusual visual unity and cohesion, providing a snapshot of Long Beach in the twenties. Back to Top
6 Hellman Street Craftsman
A high concentration of Craftsman bungalows, built for middle-class working families, remains intact today in this district. Secondary “contributing” structures are Spanish Colonial Revival and Victorian.
Isaias W. Hellman, businessman, financier and real estate developer prominent in Los Angeles and Long Beach, is credited with developing this neighborhood. Hellman Street bears his name.
7 Lowena Drive
An unusual cluster of four Chateauesque buildings constructed between 1919 and 1926 form a unique streetscape.
The street is named for the developer, H. N. Lowe, whose family owned a flower farm on this land from 1898. Back to Top
Minerva Park Place is a tiny street lined with sixteen Spanish Colonial Revival homes built at one time as a single project in 1925. The district’s charm and small scale is reminiscent of courtyard housing. Back to Top
9 Rose Park
This district contains more than 500 buildings, primarily Craftsman Bungalows constructed between 1910 -1922, with many variations in architectural design evident. Also significant are the Spanish Colonial Revival homes of the Twenties and Thirties, and Neo-Traditional designs of the Forties. Back to Top
16 Rose Park South
This is a continuation of the Rose Park Historic District on the south side of 7th Street. The primary architectural style in the area is the Craftsman Bungalow. Back to Top
10 Sunrise Boulevard
Originally a ranch, then a milk sanitarium, this neighborhood developed adjacent to the Pacific Electric Railway line. Homes are predominantly Craftsman Bungalows, constructed between 1908-1924, ranging from large mansions to small-scale workers’ housing.
An early motor court, the El Cortez, was built in the early Twenties on the site of the sanitarium; today, it provides small apartments. Back to Top
11 Wilton Street
The Spanish Colonial/Mission Revival homes which create a highly unified streetscape were all built as one subdivision by a single builder in late 1924. They all share common architectural features, yet each one is individualized. The original character of the homes are remarkably intact, preserving the charm and ambience of an earlier time. Back to Top
5 Wrigley Area
Named for chewing gum magnate William S. Wrigley, Jr., developer of this two-block area, homes were built here in the Spanish Colonial Revival style between 1928 and 1934. The district has remarkable architectural consistency, unity and integrity. Back to Top
Information Courtesy of Long Beach Historic Preservation
