Resolution Number 90-7-17-2RESOLUTION NO. 90-7-17-2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, REAFFIRMING THE
PLANNING COMMISSION'S DENIAL OF A DEMOLITION PERMIT
REQUEST FOR TWO HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN THE LOS RIOS
DISTRICT, SITE PLAN REVIEW 89-24 (CHORAK)
WHEREAS, the applicant, Mr. David Chorak, 31720 Los Rios Street, San Juan
Capistrano, California, has submitted an appeal to the Planning Commission's denial to
demolish two historic structures located at 31720 and 31742 Los Rios Street in the SP
(Los Rios Precise Plan) District; and,
WHEREAS, the City's Environmental Review Board has determined that the
proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment, has accordingly
issued a Negative Declaration for the project, and has otherwise carried out all
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The Negative Declaration for
this request was certified by the Planning Commission on June 12, 1990; and,
WHEREAS, both properties are subject to the zoning provisions of the Los Rios
Precise Plan which provides that the Cultural Arts and Heritage Commission and the Los
Rios Review Committee shall make recommendations concerning requests for demolition
within the Los Rios District; and,
WHEREAS, the Cultural Arts and Heritage Commission reviewed this request
and forwarded it to the Planning Commission with a recommendation of denial; and,
WHEREAS, the Los Rios Review Committee reviewed this request and
forwarded it to the Planning Commission with a recommendation of denial; and,
WHEREAS, on June 12, 1990, the Planning Commission denied the demolition
permit, based upon the findings listed in Planning Commission Resolution No. 90-6-12-3;
and,
WHEREAS, a map identifying those two properties within the Los Rios District
is attached as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano hereby finds
and concludes as follows:
1. City Council Resolution No. 88-3-1-2 specifically lists the applicant's
properties at 3L720 and 31.742 Los Rios Street, more commonly known as
the "Frank Velasquez House" and the "Ignacio Soto House," respectively,
as properties included on the Inventory of Historic and Cultural
Landmarks.
2. City Council Resolution No. 88-3-1-2 provides that all sites, structures,
persons, events and landmarks which have cultural or historical
significance or importance shall be preserved by the City of San Juan
Capistrano.
-1-
006
3. Based upon the City's designation of these properties as historic
landmarks, the City has submitted to the Federal government and has
received approval on April 4, 1983, of these two properties as historic
places, and as such, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of Interior. A copy of Resolution No.
88-3-1-2 is attached as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by reference.
A copy of the United States Government's designation of these properties
as historic structures is attached as Exhibit C and incorporated herein by
reference.
4. The structure located at 31720 Los Rios Street is known as the Frank
Velasquez House and was designed using a lap -wood siding with a gable
roof, incorporating rolled roofing material and exposed rafter tails and
was constructed circa 1922.
5. The structure located at 3l:"+2 Los Rios Street is known as the Ignacio
Soto House and was constructed circa 1921 using board and batten
wooden siding with a gable roof designed of cedar shake material.
6. Board and batten residential structures represent the type of homes in
the Los Rios District popular at the turn of the century, when wood was
becoming more available; therefore, they are very important to the
historical and cultural heritage of the community, and more specifically,
to this historical district of the City.
No evidence has been submitted to the City determining whether the two
structures are structurally sound for human habitation.
8. No building plans Have officially been submitted to the City showing
possible future building designs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that based upon the preceding findings,
the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby reaffirm the Planning
Commission's denial of the demolition permit, Site Plan Review 89-24.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 17th day
of July , 1990.
ATTEST:
-Al/ Ma,
-2-
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
I, GEORGE SCARBOROUGH, Acting City Clerk of the City of San Juan
Capistrano, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct
copy of Resolution No. 90-7-17-2 adopted by the City Council of the City of San
Juan Capistrano, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 17th day
of July , 1990, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmen Buchheim, Bland and Mayor Hausdorfer
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Schwartae and Friess
r �
GEORGEY•:G'• aFFY CIXRK
-3-
Los Rios
Historic District
1. Combs House
2. Della Ramos House
3. Ygnacio Soto House
4. Frank Velasquez House
5. Clarence Lobo House
6. Railroad Utility Bldg.
7. Cliff Bank House #1
8. Cliff Bank House #2
9. Labat House
10. Olivares-Meza House
11. Stansfield House
12. Trulis House
13. Rodman House
14. Montanez Adobe
15. Rios Adobe
16. Rios Adobe Util. Structure
17. Victor Olivares House
18. Olivares Accessory Bldgs.
19. Rios Adobe Util. Structure
20. Oyharazbal House
21. Silvas Adobe
22. Antonio Becerra House
23. Renal Brown House
24. Belle Reyes House
25. Olivares House #1
26. Olivares House #2
27. Capistrano Railroad Depot
28. Pryor Hse. (O'Neill Museum
29. River Street
PRE 1910
1910-1940
POST 1940
UNKNOWN
7.4h
IC
9.i
10.0
l An
12.0
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14.0
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1?
EXH161T A
1 •.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
JUAN CAPISTRANO. CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN INVENTORY
OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL LANDMARKS AND
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 86-11-18-2
our
WHEREAS, Section 2-2.303 of the San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code
requires that a list of all saes, structures, persons, events and landmarks which have
cultural or historical significance or importance be kept by the City; and,
WHEREAS, the Municipal Code empowers the Cultural Arts and Heritage
Commission to keep and maintain such a list; and,
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 86-11-18-2 has previously established those
structures which are historically and culturally significant in San Juan Capistrano; and,
WHEREAS, these structures are set forth in Exhibit A; and,
WHEREAS, it is recommended that the Esslinger House be added to the
Inventory of Historical and Cultural Landmarks.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
San Juan Capistrano, hereby adopts the Inventory of Historical and Cultural Landmarks
as outlined in Exhibit A, attached hereto.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Resolutior No. 86-11-19-2 is hereby
rescinded.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 1st day
of blarrh , 1988.
ANTHONY N , MAYOR
ATTEST:
ExHeR
CITY
ExHeR
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JIUAN CAPISTRANO )
I, MARY ANN HANOVER, City Clerk of the City of San Juan Capistrano,
California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of
Resolution No. 88-3-1-2 adopted by the City Council of the City of San Juan
Capistrano, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 1st day
of March 1988, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmen Schwartze, Friess, Buchheim, Hausdorfer, and
Mayor Bland
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MARYANrANOVE'R, CITY CLERK
-2-
EX-H;E,- -
PROPEF 71ES INCLUDED 11, THE I',�ENTOF 1
OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL LANDMARKS
Real Procert
1. Mission San 3uan Capistrano
2. Rios Adobe
3. Montanez Adobe
4. Silvas Adobe
3. Mission Kiln
6. Pura Adobe
7. Pablo Pryor Adobe
8. Blas Aguilar Adobe
9. Garcia Adobe
10. Burruel Adobe Ruins
11. Domingo Yorba Adobe
12. 3uan Avila Adobe
13. ]uzgado and Jose Antonio Yorba Adobe
14. Santa Fe Depot
13. Egan Residence
16. Buddy Forster Residence
17. Frank Forster Residence
18. Albert Pryor Residence
19. Rowse Cottage
20. C. Russell Cook Barn
21. Hot Springs Dance Hall
22. Joel Congdon Residence
23. R. B. Cook House
24. Errecarte House
23. Harrison Farmhouse
26. English House
27. Old San Juan Capistrano Fire Station Complex
28. Community Christian Church
29. Eyraud/Chabre House
30. Stroschein House
31. Esslinger Building
Historic Areas or Districts:
1. Mission Refuse Area
2. Mission Cemetery
3. River Street
4. Old High School Site
3. Los Rios Historic District
AP 0 124-180-06
121-160-16
121-143-07
121-160-12
124-202-17
124-290-37
121-234-04
124-160-08
121-130-03
124-160-12
121-130-03
121-130-20
121-130-13
121-141-17
124-160-32
121-190-30
124-290-20
121-230-06
664-031-23
121-182-39
668-101-03
121-190-36
121-182-24
124-282-03
124-290-37
121-130-06
124-203-03
124-203-21
124-170-11
124-190-07
124-170-08
124-160-17
124-203-13
124-132-03
121-160-17, -20, -21, -22, -28
124-190-14
121-141-20, -21, -22, -23, -24V
121-142-03, -06,
121-143-02, -03, -04, -031 -06,
121-160-080 -09, -10, -11, -139
-14, -13, -17, -29
1. Los Rios Street from Del Obispo Street to Mission Street
2. El Camino Real from La Zanja to Forster Street
3. Camino Capistrano South of Mission San Tuan Capistrano to El Adobe
Restaurant
4 %mine %*.u*
l
A-
.)EPARTMEN7. Of PARKS AND REZREATION
P o. sox 239c
SACNwt�-'O 931' 1
012
•
City of San Juan Capistrano -
- City Hall
- San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
E OEKME_ •'.
Lr -
v
May 9, 1983
•
Los Rios Street Histo
District (see map)
ii
The National Register of Historic Places Program is a&rInistered in California by the State Office of Historic
Preservation. The property indicated above has been subauv! A for the Register.
The State Historical Resources Commission will consider this property and make a judgment as to
whether or not it meets the criteria on at
in
The State Historical Resources Commission recommended the nomination of the property to the
National Register. It will be presented to the State Historic Preservation Officer for formal nomination.
The anal decision will be made by the Keeper of the National Register, U.S. National Park Service,
washington, D.C. 20240.
x® The property was placed on the National Register April 4. 1983
❑ The property was determined eligible for placement on the National Register
Placement on the National Register affords a property the honor of inclusion in the nation's official list of cultural
resources worthy of preservation and provides a degree of protection from adverse effects resulting from federally
funded or licensed projects. Registration provides a number of incentives for preservation of historic properties,
including special building codes to facilitate the restoration of historic structures, and certain tax advantages. There
are no restrictions placed upon a private property owner with regard to normal use, maintenance, or sale of a
property listed in the National Register; however, proposals to demolish registered properties may require a standard
review in compliance with local ordinances or the California Environmental Quality Act. In addition, certain
provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 and the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 relate directly to the
demolition and replacement of structures listed in the National Register.
Sincerely,
Dr. Knox Mellon Q
State Historic Preservation Officer
Office of Historic Preservation
(MAO oN Mweast)
EXHIBIT C
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I L I N I L K I _-NPI EONLY
NATIONAL PARR - CE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 1"CEIVEO
I
INVENTOP.Y -- NONIIT:ATION FC::Ai Or.TC ENTERED
_
SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE A'ATIGNAL REGISTER FORMS
TYPE ALL ENTRIES -• COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS
�L NAME
Los Rios Street'
HISTORIC
AND/OR COMMON
11
LOCATION
STREET¢ NUMBER
- .>19-1 Los Rio: Street
31`j00 -NOT FOR PUBLICATION
CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
,,an Juan Canistran0 _VICINITY Of
STATE CODE Ou OrCOUNTY
.alifornia.
CODE 059
QCLAS.SIFICATION
CATEGORY OWNERSHIP STATUS PRESENT USE
DISTRICT _PUBLIC _OCCUPIED -AGRICULTURE
__MUSEUM
_SUILDINGISI _PRIVATE _UNOCCUPIED -COMMERCIAL
_PARK
_STRUCTURE _BOTH _WORK IN PROGRESS _EDUCATIONAL
_PRIVATE RESIDENCE
_SITE PUBLIC ACQUISITION ACCESSIBLE -ENTERTAINMENT
_RELIGIOUS
_OBJECT _IN PROCESS _YES RESTRICTED -GOVERNMENT
_SCIENTIFIC
_BEING CONSIDERED _YES UNRESTRICTED _INDUSTRIAL
-TRANSPORTATION
._NO _MILITARY
_OTHER
'S OWNER OF PROPERTY
NAME
STREET& NUMBER
CITY TOWN STATE
_ VICINITY OF
.1LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION
COURTHOUSE.
'
REGISTRY OF DEEOS.ETC
STREET & NUMBER
,
Gam• TOWN STATE
IM REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS
nTLE
DATE
_FEDERAL _STATE COUNTY _LOCAL
DEPOSITORY FOR
SURVEY RECORDS
G TY. TOWN STATE
CONDITION
CHECK ONE
CE,.■.
—E.CEUEN' -_.. w".10 �[INALTEIIED
VECKO'.E■
Y. O.,GiNAL SfTf
). _6000 _A. S.
X—ALTEMED
_MovEO OATE
—,A.0 _UNEa.p SVO
DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL IIF KNOWN) eHVSICAL APPEARANCE
:;:e Los Rios Street historic
Dist-ict starts at Del Cbizpo 'street
and
,•rcr north for 4 blocks terminating
at Mission Street.
'!,o fir. -,t block, Del Cbispo
to Fiver Street has seven
structures,;;
22-22.
';?,24_28 are board and batten
houses.
�} is the ailvas Adobe.
T -e lot sizes are T ir` 22'
40 ft. wide and 120 ft.
deep.
# 23
40 ft. wide and 120 ft.
deep.
# 24
100 ft Nide and 120 ft.
deep.
- ,f 25
43 ft. wide and 120 ft.
deep.
# 26
42 ft. wide and 120 ft.
deep.
# 27
44 ft. wide and 120 -ft.
deep.
# 2e
77 ft. wide and 120 ft,
deep.
Cn this same block, west of
the Railroad tracks is the
Fryor !louse.
This victorian structure will
be moved acr Des the tracks
to the corner
of Rios and River street.The
lot size is 100 by 120 ft,
just north
of lot sr 22.
The second block is very short and chows 6 structures-) 17-2.1,29.
19-20 has 2 board and batten houses -the property is 73 ft. Nide
and approx. 160 ft. deep.
1',21 and 29 are wooden structures, # 17 is the Rios Adobe.The
dimensions .of this property are 74 ft. wide and 160 ft. deep.
River Street itself measures approx. 25 ft. in width and 600 ft, in
lenght.
The third block goes from Verdugo to Ramos Street.It contains 13
tructures. # 1-6 on the east side of Los Rios Street and ,#' 10-16
n the vest side.
L 5T•\TLS UI I' \� \II_\ I [)I TIIL I� I I FRCCEIVED
�
NATIONAL PARK SERVILE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY --NOMINATION FORM ID ATE ENTERED
CONTINUATION SHEET DescriDt ion ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 2
The easterly lot sizes are hi 1 95 ft, wide and 45 ft, deep
# 2 60 ft. wide and 49 ft. deep
#3
# 4 59 ft. wide and 60 ft, deep
#5
6 is a triangular piece 53 by a-.pror..
300 ft. long -Santa Fe Railroad Storage
There art 2 intrusions on the east side of Los Rios St.
# 3 and 4 are Stucco.
The rest of the houses are the typical board and batten.
On the west side are 6 structures.
# 10,11,13 Aare board and batten.
# 16 is a small storage shed built from old lumber.
# 14 has.been removed , vandalism etc.*made it a safety hazard.
# 15 is the t'ontanez Adobe, already on the Register.
# 12 shows a house that has asbestos shingles over the original
wood at least on 3 sides of the structure.
The lot sizes are # 10 74 ft. wide by 160 ft, deep
# 11 "of
# 12 50 ft wide by 160 ft. deep
# 13A 118 ft. wide
# i5 115 ft. wide
# 16
49..
UNIILUST\ILS \! ul T; ;
NAT,;,'._, Fr. SEFvICE
NATIWNIAL REGISTE. or IT;STO,Mc ; LAczS
INVENTORY --NOMINA-nON FO.".M
r-
I--
AECE .E:�
(DATE EtiTE' CO
CONTINUATION SHEET Descrintion ITEM NUMBER ? PAGE
From Ramos to 'ission Street is the 4th block of Los Rios D.iztrict.
There are 3 wooden structures on the west side.
The Lot sizes are # 7 213 Ft. wide and 120 ft. decp
# 8
# 9 139 ft. wide and 120 ft. decp.
General Description of Los Rios Historic District :
The boundarys of the district are on the south side Del Obispo Street.
The district does not start directly at Del Obispo- we find a
set back of approx. 270 ft. Total lenght 11_ ft.
The easterly boundaries are the Santa Fe Railroad tracks.i'he only
point where the easterly boundary crosses the track is at the
Railroad Depot, which was also included in the nomination.
The Pryor house, who's present location is also -on the east side
of the tracks, will be shortly moved to its permanent location
on the corner of River and Rios Street.'�herefore the property
of the Pryor house should be excluded from the district.
The total length on the east side is approx. 1800 ft.
The boundary to the north is f.:ission Street and the length is 150 ft.
The west side approx. 1900 ft, long and runs parallel with Trabuco
Creek.
River Street, which is 600 £t. long and 25 ft. wide extends all
the way to Trabuco Creek.
p,-. r t.5 C r c -.
a�
<<_
.. _LANDSCAPE APC !ECTUIE
_CONSER:A' _�
—LAW
_1400 1439
J•EIC�f O,GS5TO4'C
—IW 1599
—AG RKU LPF
_1so0. 1699
—ARCHITECTURE
-AToo 1199
—ART
Li No Is99
_COMMERCE
1,1900
_COMMUNICATIONS
p,-. r t.5 C r c -.
._E CHECK AND__S',Fr BELOW
_ _C"MM- . - ..
.. _LANDSCAPE APC !ECTUIE
_CONSER:A' _�
—LAW
_ECONOM'-5
_LITERATURE
_EOUCATION
—MILITARY
—ENGINEERING
MUSIC
X_EXPLORATIONSETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY
_INDUSTRY
—POLITICS/GOVERNMENT
JNVENTION
Q[L C, ON
_SCIENCE
_SCU V TUnt
XSOCIAIJNUMANITARIAN
—TNEATFR
_TRANSPORTATION
_OTNER SrECIFY)
SPECIFIC DATES SWIDER/ARCHITECT
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 1
Exploration- 3ettlerent
'Los Rios Street, which stretches fron Del Obispo on the south to :"_Dsion
Street on -the north in San Juan Capistrano, is believed to be one of the
oldest residential streets in California. Beginning its existence as a
dirt path it probably became a street.in 1794 wl— n 40 adobe structure-- wcrc
built outside b'ission San Juan Capistrano's quadrangle to house Indian
neophytes. Today we have 3 adobes left; the tontanez Adobe, ( already
on the !rational Reeister ), the Rios Adobe occupied by the same family
since its construction in 1794 and the Silvan Adobe.
The Bapti:.-mal Rei inter of the il.ission, vrritten b,y Father Junipero Serra
himself, confirms the date of November 1, 1776 as the foundin,& of ti.e
t.ission. .'ission padres thereafter v:rote annual reports, many are now
located in the Santa Barbara i,:ission Archives. According to historian
Father Zephyrin Engelhardt, one of these repprts states that in 1794,
40 adobes were constructed and that in 1795 a wall was built around the
Fission garden. Remnants of this wall, located :est of the b:ission,
according to early maps and diagrams were still visible on the east side
of Los Rios Street until shortly after 1900. Alfred Robinson, a visitor
to San Juan in the 1820's wrote that unlike other towns, the Indians
in San Juan Capistrano were housed in adobe dwellings around the.'ission
which for^ed five or six neat blocks. He pointed out that it was still
common practice in other 64lission Communities to house Indians in reed h
which wen burned and rebuilt as needed, but this was not the case in
San Juan. This provides further confirmation that adobe structures,
existed on Los Rios Street around 1800.
The earliest known name of Los.Rios Street was Calle Occidental, which
means ..est Street, which clearly indicates that it was located west of
F.. 1� .,
IT ED w SII \1 UI 1111 IN;i kIUR
A, PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL rrGISTER Or IIISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY --NOMINATION FORM
FRC
LY(�C
Ei.EC Ci � 19
'EENTEREO V
f ITEM NUMBER PAGE 2
CONTINUATION SHEET 51'n_, 1CanCe 8
Exploration -settlement, cont.:
the Fission wall. The street on the east side of the 2;9ssion v:as called
Calle Oriental or East Street.
C.E.Roberts, an authority on the adobes of Orange County, wrote that the
streets were officially designated by Juan Bandini, an early pueblo
administrator, in 1841, when San Juan Capistrano became an official
Mexican Pueblo. Juan Bandini used roads that already had houses on
either side and followed the natural contour of.the land. C.E.Roberts
points out that Rios Street met this criteria.
Los Rios Street today looks very much as it did 100 years apo. ''any of the
structures are pre- 1900 and represent the development of San Juan
Capistrano from Indian days to the present.
The home of the Labat brothers at 31661 Los Rios St. is typically
Victorian and according to an old photograph was built prior to 1897.
The Victorian home of Albert Pryor is also architecturally significant -
it is the only residence in the district located east of the Railroad
tracks.
Also on Los Rios are the board and batten homes, which represent
the type of hones popular at the turn of the century, when wood was
becoming more available, but only simple designs of construction were
used. One of these board and batten is believed to have been the post
office and general store of the defunct town of Forster founded in the
1870's in Northern San Diego County. When the boom town did not materializ
the few structures built there were moved to other locations. The structur,
known as the John Combs House, located on the northeast corner of Los
Rios and Verdugo Streets, is believed to have been one of these buildings.
It is significant because it demonstrates how the scarcity of wood in
Southern California's semi -arid environment caused people to use every
stick of wood, even if it meant moving buildings for great distances.
The out building located on this property was the first jail in town.
�i(i�LDSI%II�L,!'\K1111NTUI I. !UK
f/,,,�' 0 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTC1t Or HIETORIC PU..CES
INVENTORY —NOMINATION FORM
FOR NPS USE ONLY
RECEivED
DATEENTEREO
CONTINUATION SHEET Zi?nificance ITEM NUMBER e PAGE 3
Exploration -Settlement, cont.: 41
In addition, it must be noted that the remaining residential structures
along Los Rios Street are similar to those previously discussed in size.
scale,general configuration and relationship to the street. They are
essential to the overall architectural and environmental character
of the street.
Relizion:
The Nontanez Adobe has a great deal of spiritual significance to the
City. One historian, C.E. Parker believes it might be the original
dwelling; place for early Franciscan priests who resided there while
the r4ission was built on its new site in 1778.
rihen the adobe was owned by Polonia V.ontanez, its tiny chapel served
for relizious instruction of the village children, when the b,ission
was without a Driest.
SocialAeumanitarian:
It is difficult to summerize the cultural richness of the Los Rios area.
No statistics or maps capture its essential quality. It is a "community"
in every sense of the word. Strenght and clarity is evident in the
social and cultural patterns we observed in a survey. The residents view
the area as a cohesive community even though individual families iden 'fy
with either of 2 -distinct cultures - Indian and Vexican.
Vany residents of the area, and in fact many residents of San Juan
Capistrano trace their ancestry to the Los Rios area, as far back as x
and seven generations. A number of the current residents are related
either through family or marriage. Yany of the current residents have
resided in the area all their lives. This includes owners and tenants
alike. One woman who owns 2 residences in the area was born in the home
she presently occupies.Her son leases the other house.
t,\{TLUSi'-vVi.11\TUI IHLINI{xIUK
PAPK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF iflSTO^.IC PLACES
INVENTOR Y -- NOMINATION FORM
FCS . -S SSE ONLY -0ffi
RECEIVED
�DA TE ENTERED
CONTINUATION SHEET S i r�nif icancc ITEM NUMBER P PAGE D
Soc./Hum. cont -t
Cne renter who was born in the area, currently resides on Los Rios
Street with his family. His grandmother, also born in the area, is
currently leasing a residence on Los Rios Street.
These cases are not unique and only serve to illustrate the strong
ties to the district of many of its residents.
Strong social patterns exist — people speak of families helpin,a each
other, in repairing dwellings, planting. gardens, watching children and
caring for the ill, disabled and the elderly.
The unique and special qualities of this area are not found in just
the buildings and the landscape. The manner of living is a very
important part of the specialness of the settinE.
II GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
ACREAGE Or NOMINATED►ROPERTY
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STATE
LIT ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES
CODE• - COUNTY
CODE
STATE CODE COUNTY CODE
FORM PREPARED BY
NAME , TITLE
OMGANI[ATION DATE
p0 FLET& NUMBER TELEPHONE
ilrr OR TONN STATE
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION
THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS.
NATIONAL— STATE_ LOCAL__
As tNe ueS.Vnaled State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 IPubuc Law 89.865). 1
Iaar4Dv nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and cen,ty that it has been evaluated according to the
0114114 and Procedures set forth by the National Park Service.
"ll N,STOR,CPRESI
SIGNATURE -
TITLE DATE
t "I Rt BY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER
DATE
a;•
'rl7sly OIf•ICE DF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
DATE
1"E NAUUNAL HkGIS1ER
•^"�N,r ter. »....: U`J a7:. aa� I
�•—r--
{TAT] Of CALL GINIA—TME EESCVECES AGENCY fcwumo G MOWN 1l. Geww
OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION _ A
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION C C � 'V{
PM ORIC! sox a"
16#9U I!!n'O. clow" foil FE8 13 01 Py 082
C!7r�,-
January 29, 1982 S A N .i
CAP;ST,;
Pam Hallan
Administrative Assistant to the City Manager
City of San Juan Capistrano
32400 Paseo Adelanto
San Juan Capistrano, California 92675
Dear Ms. Hallan,
Our office is again processing applications to list private properties in the
National Register of Historic Places. Such applications, as you know, were delayed for
nearly a year awaiting publication by the Secretary of Interior of federal
regulations to implement the new "owner consent" provisions of the National
Historic Preservation Act. The Los Rios Street Historic District application
was do delayed. We hope to resubmit this application as soon as possible. Two
steps must be taken, however, before this resubmittal can occur.
First, we must renotify the propertyowners of the proposed action and offer them
an opportunity to object to it. To do so, we must have an updated propertyowner
list. Enclosed is the previous list; could you please r-eck it against your
records and note any changes?
Second, we need to clarify the location of the Prior House, which was moved to
a Los Rios Street location. E closed is a copy of the district -map,- adapted
from a survey base map prepared by the Arroyo Group. Could you please indiciate
on that copy the exact location of the Prior House? If_tbe present location
intrudes upon the site of an earlier adobe, as appears tcT.be the case, please
describe briefly the effect of that move upon historical archeological resources.
If there was no effect, a brief statement to that effect would be in order.
I addition, our copy of the Arroyo Group map has gotten somewhat tattered in
several submissions to Washington, DC. Do you have a fresh copy that could be
submitted?
We are anxious to see this property successfully listed in the National Register
and will reprocess the nomination as soon as your response to these questions
is received.
Sincerely 1
c �
e an D. Mikesell
Staff Historian
r�'rn 1
FHR-8-3::4 FJ i _ __
;ili'bi
UNITED STL'-: I'.TERIOR FOR MORS USE OlLI
HERITAGE CONSERVA-1ION A:._ R_CRE--iON SERVICE
RECEIVED } S X;n
NATIONAL REGISTER OF WSTORIC PLACES DATE MEREa ,
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
r
CONTI NUATION SWEET ITEM NUMBER 4 PAGE 1
(numbers refer to map symbols)
1. Frederick Sutherland
717 Balboa Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92650
2. Della Ramos
31752 Los Rios Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
3. Ignacio Soto
P.O. Box 32
San Juan CapisLrano, CA 92675
4. Frank Velasquez
P.O. Box. 383
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
5. Clarence Lobo
Rt. 1, Box 332
Oroville, CA 95965
6. and 30.
Santa Fe Railroad
60 West Jackson
Chicago, Illinois 60604
7. and 8.
Clifford Blank
31892 Pasio Cielo
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
9. Claudia Hirsch
30 Harbor Island
Newport Beach, CA 92660
10. Eloisa Mesa
P.O. Box 173
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
11/78;
LX,17E, ST41tS DtPARTt" F ',+L WEBIOR
h£RIT.:GE CONSERVATION 4'.-- �ECRt-iiON SERVICE
`OR W -RS USE CNLT
RECEIVED 15 fO
NATIONAL REGISTER OF MISTORIC PLACES DAM ENTERED
INVENTORY- NOMINATION FORM --
4
CONTINUATIONSHE ET ITEM NUMBER PAGE 2
11. Refugio Rios and Dora Stanfield
c/o Ruby Lopez
31701 Los Rios
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
12. and 13.
Thomas Trulis
9882 Theresa Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92803
14., 15., and 16.
Forrest Donivin
26285 Amapola Lane
Mission Viejo, CA 92675
17., 18., 21., and 29.
Dan Rios
25262 Swan Way Court
Dana Point, CA 92660
19. and 20.
Gilbert E. Jones
22600 Lambert Street, /7028
El Toro, CA 92630
22., 23., and 24.
Mrs. Eugenie Oyharzabal
31781 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
25. Renal Brown
3016 Heather Road
Long Beach, CA 90808
26. Belle Reyes
3190' Los Rios
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
27. and 28.
Rose Olivaree
31921 Los Rios
P.O. Box 421
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
FHR-8-300A
(11/78) 1« v
UNITED STA1LCfFAPT _ :'.fFA1CR FOP HORS LSF IJNL) --
HERITAGE CL"SERVATION ti:r = ELON SEA"ICE
RECEIVED JUS
NATIONAL REGISTER OF W STORIC PLACES DATE ENTERED
INVENTORY -NOMINATION FORM --
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 4 PAGE
3n, Ja+Ps and i✓rter
:,j,7rr1 Ve-ciugo
Sac Juan: Capistrano, a_ifar in :+75
31, Snn duan C.npistrmnc for :.! Locicty
P.O. Box 1027
San Juan Capistrano, :alifornia 't,-�- 5
32. ? (Ip1„� s6tj)
%. CE S.-rQtion 111 ���
Condition Check one Check ane 027 ,
excellent .. deterlorateC unaltered 1� original site 2 `
Xgood _._ ruins h altered __ moved date
L fair _ - urwaposed
Describe the present and Original lit known) phvaleal appearance
The Los Rios Historic District includes thirty-one historic struct-,-es dating
from the late eighteenth century to the twentieth century, situatei 2h4efly on
the east side of Los Rios Street along four blocks between Mission ind De.
Obispo Streets. These structures represent several distinct phasee oC
settlement in this area, which has been continuously occupied since t1le
founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1776. Three adobe homes in the
proposed district date from the 17903, one, the Montanez Adobe, being
presently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ?he most
numerous structures on Los Rios Street are small homes built in tta ;:eriod
1887-1910, generally board -and -batten vernacular. The dist"ict als., includes
a small number of homes built since 1920, as well as one late
nineteenth-century home recently moved within the boundaries of the -rop03ed
district from across the railroad tracks. The district boundary is ;lso
extended to include River Street, a narrow dirt rose whose history i_
inextricably linked to that of Los Rios Street, having served as a pa -..h for
mission Indiana toting water from Trabueo Creek to their homes on L:s :Rios
Street. Finally, the district includes the Santa Fe Railroad depd-, which has
served as a vital element of the community since its construction in 1894.
Although constructed over a long period of time and, in some casen,
substantially altered, the small homes of the Los Rios Historic Di3trict
possess a striking unity, held together by similarities in lit size, setbacks,
and the unassuming quality of their vernacular design. This unityis the more
striking in contrast to the eclecticism of modern structures elsewhere in San
Juan Capistrano and surrounding Orange County.
Los Rios Street is a cohesive neighborhood which retains the feeling of the
small town character of San Juan Capistrano at the turn of the century. The
mature landscaping and lush growth of vegetation provide a vsrdant setting for
the collection of small scaled cottages and adobes. Many of the houses are
surrounded by exotic plantings so characteristic of the Southern California
landscape of the early 19003, including mature eucalyptus, ,tipper and olive
trees, palma, loquats, and a variety of species of cactus. The area .s a
remarkable survivor in a city which has seen substantial growth and
development in recent years.
Structures in the proposed district include the following, keyed ti numbers on
the district map:
I. Combs House
26720 Verdugo Road
Date: Circa 1870
Owner: Frederick Sut::erland
One-story residence, vernacular board -and -batten, gable roof n'
composition paper, attached shed roof garage and porch.
FFR -d -3C ..
C11/78;
UNI TLD STATtS DEPARTMr'.
hERITAr,E CONSERVATION ;,:,-
NATIONAL
:,
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY—NOMINATION FORM
FOR HORS 1:-. CU.LY
RECEIVED jUl 1 5 _..
DATE ENTERED
CONTINUATION SHEET
I'EM NUMBER 7 PAGE
2.
3
4.
5.
6.
7.
Della Ramos House
31752 Loa Rios Street
Data: Circa 1918
Owner: Della Rarr,rs
Vernacular with composition siding, one-story residence, gable r�:f with
asphalt shingle, and porch addition.
Ignacio Soto House
31730 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1921
Owner: Ignacio So`.;
Vernacular one-story residence with stucco walls, gable roof with asphalt
shingle. Alterations include addition of attached bedroom and :a -age on
north side of house.
Frank Velasquez House
31720 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1922
Owner: Frank Velasgia--
Vernacular one-story residence, gable roof with composition r:o: ng,
addition of utility room to east side, with asbestos shingle i`.,,,.g.
Clarence Lobo House
31712 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1910
Owner: Clarence
One-story residence, vernacular clapboard, gable roof with Co!11'.'tion
roofing, addition'of utility room on east side of house.
Railroad Utility Building
(no number) Los Rios Street
Date: 1920s
Owner: Santa Fe 3 _r -;.•ad
Wooden frame building with wooden siding and composition roofing.
Cliff Blank House i1
31600 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1900
Owner: Cliff Blan''
One-story residence, vernacular board -and -batter., gable roof v:t'-:
composition roofing and hip -roofed porch with cylindrical ;oro: =ts
Addition of bedroom and bathroom to north and west side of h-ua .
8. Cliff Blank House #2 Date: Circa 1946
31631 Los Rios Street Owner: Cliff Kan.-,
One-story residence with stucco siding, gable roof, addition 'e -in -'o
ramada on north side of building.
C11i?8:
U,ITED STl�'tS DEPART'., „F _ I'+TEKI-)k
HERITAGE CON,,ERVATION KCC�CL" �*4 SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF IDSTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY-- NOMINATION FORM
i
02
FOR HCRS USE ONLY
WED JUL I S wo
DATE EN ITEREO
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 2
9. Labat House
31661 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1887
Owner: C. Hirst
Vernacular one-story residence with shiplap siding, addition of
board -and -batten siding on southwest and. Alterations include cement
porch and iron railing and window grills.
10. Olivares-Mesa House Date: Circa 1900
31665 Los Rios Street Owner: Eloise Olivsres-Mesa
Vernacular one-story residence, board -and -batten, gable roof with porch
extension, square porch posts. Additions include bedrooms and bath on
west side of house.
11. Stanfield House
31701 Los Rios Street
One-story residence with composition siding.
bedroom on west side of house.
12. Trulis House
31711 Los Rios Street
Date: 1925
Owner: Dora Stanfiell
Additions include Lath and
Date: eLglbrea 1910
Owner: Thomas Trulis
Vernacular one-story residence with aabestos„anp wood shingle siting,
gable roof of composition roofing, addition of bath on South side of
house. �E
13. Rodman House Date: Circa 1925
31731 Loa Rios Street Owner: So�ag Disposal Co.
Vernacular one-story residence, board -and -batten, with intersecting gable
roof of composition roofing, addition of bath to south side.
14. Destroyed
15. Montanez Adobe Date: Circa 1794
31735 Los Rios Street Owner: Forrest Dnni%in
Already listed on National Register.
16. Destroyed
FNS-�-i--
I -NITER STATES DEaAR"t'•T GF TrE INTERIOR
HERITAGE -.4S`RVATl7. RECR`_;.TION SERvICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF MSTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -NOMINATION FORM
FOR HORS L1SE ONLY
RECE1vED ,,uL 1 S ';30
DATE ENTERED
'7•
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 3
17. Rios Adobe
31793 Los Rios Street
Data: Circa 1794
Owner: Dan Rios
Vernacular one-story adobe residence with wood shingle gable ror,',
additions of bath and bedroom.
18. Rios Adobe Utility Structure
31781 Los Rios Street
Date: 1900
Owner: Dan Rios
Small utility structure associated with Rios Adobe.
19. Victor Olivares House
31791 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1900
Owner: Victor 01ivares
Vernacular one-story residence, board -and -batten, gable roof with shed
roof porch and horizontal aiding on gable end, addition of bedroom and
bath on side.
20. Olivares accessory Building
31791 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1935
Ower: Victor 01 * vares
Vernacular'board-and-batten, one-story residence, hip roof of
shingles.
21. Rios Adobe Utility Structure
31781 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1920
Owner: Dan Rios
One-story residence, board -and -batten, gable roof with shed e.:: r ion.
22. Oyharzabal Rouse
31851 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1900
Owner: Mrs. Euge• a
Cyharza'�s.
Vernacular one-story residence, board -and -batten, gable roof
composition roofing.
23. Silvas Adobe Date: Circa 1794
31661 Los Rios Street 3wner: Mrs. Eugenie
Oyharzabal
Vernacular one-story adobe residence, gable roof with extensions to form
porch and rear addition.
Fri; -F-3`
IJAITED STATE` DEPART"11: , C)F T -E IN1rRI--R
HERITAGE CCNSERVATION "%,, QECPE1-!CN 'EQ. ICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
1
FOR W_RS Us° ONLY
RECEIVED JUL l 5 INC
DATE ENTERED
CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 4
24. Antonio Becarra House
31881 Loa Rios Street
Date: Circa 1890
Owner: Mrs. Eugenie
Oyharzabal
Vernacular one-story residence, board -and -batten with clapboard siding on
addition. Gable roof with shed porch.
25. Renal Brown House
31891 Loa Rios Street
Date: Circa 1920
Owner: Renal Brown
Vernacular wood frame one-story residence with elements of cra:r�3_an
bungalow, composition roof, asbestos siding.
26. Sells Reyes House
31901 Los Rios Street
Date: Circa 1890
Owner: Belle Reyes
Vernacular wood frame with asbestos shingle siding, one-story -e dente,
gable roof with shed roof extension to form front porch and enclosed
patio, addition of bedroom and bathroom to west side of house.
27. Olivares House I1 Date: Circa 1890
31911 Los Rios Street Owne1:i -Apse Oliva:•-�e
Vernacular one-story residence, board -and -batten, hip roof of «ood
shingle.
28. Olivares House !2 `Date: Circa 1890
31921 Los Rios Street gwner: Rose Olivares
Vernacular board -and -batten, one-story residence, hip roof of corrugated
metal.
29. Old shed -- ill repair. Circa 1895.
30, Santa Fe Depot Date: 1894 constru=:ion
Los Rios Street Owner: James and peter Tyscn
1,600 square foot Mission style depot, made of red brick with :ii!` roof,
arched colonnade and 40 -foot high dome. Rehabilitated 1974.
j �'Z
FHR-8-300A r
C11/78)
UNITED STATES DEPART'A-P,T OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF IIISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
FOR HORS US c ONLY
RECEI'WW JJL 1 S
DATE ENTERED.
CONTINUATION SHEET
ITFM NUMBER 7
PAGE 5
31. Pryor House Date: 1880
31831 Los Rios Street Owner: San Juan Capistrano
Historical Society
Vernacular one-story residence with elements of stick style -Eastlake in
decoration, shiplap siding, hip roof with wood shingles, central gable
decorated with stick work.
32. River Street
River Street is an unimproved road 600 feet long and 25 feet wife. It
starts at Los Rios Street and goes west to Trabuco Creek. It iced to
cross Trabuco Creek and extend all the way to Dana Point, approximately
4 miles west. Early settlers of the Los Rios District used this road to
go to the beach. Today, only 600 feet of the original road arp '.eft.
rIGURE 3
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