Historic Contexts Library

Local Historic Contexts

Benicia -
City of Benicia (2011)

Berkeley -
Shattuck Ave Commercial Corridor Historic Context and Survey (2015)

Fresno -
Mid-Century Modernism (2008)
South Van Ness Industrial District Historic Survey (2015)

Los Angeles -
African American History of Los Angeles (2018)
Chinese-Americans in Los Angeles, 1850-1980 (2018)
Jewish History of Los Angeles (2016)
LGBT Historic Context Statement (2014)
Latino Los Angeles Historic Context Statement (2015)

Monterey County -
Agricultural Resources Evaluation Handbook (2011)
Agriculture in North County (2010)
Agriculture in South County (2009)

Napa -
City-Wide Historic Context Statement: Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 (2009)
Spencer's Addition (2010)
West Napa (2010)

Ontario -
Ontario International Airport Historic Context Statement (2017)

Pebble Beach -
Pebble Beach Historic Context Statement (2013)

Riverside -
Modernism Context Statement (2009)
Citywide Modernism Intensive Survey (2013)
Latino Historic Context Statement (2018)

San Diego -
San Diego Modernism (2007)
San Ysidro (2011)
San Diego Citywide LGBTQ Historic Context Statement (2016)

San Francisco -
Mission District (2007)
Auto-Related Buildings: Van Ness Auto Row (2010)
Modern Architecture and Landscape Design (2010)
Citywide Historic Context Statement for LGBTQ History in San Francisco (2016)

San Jose -
Guadalupe/Washington Conservation Area (2009)

San Luis Obispo -
Citywide Historic Context (2013)

Sacramento-
Raised Streets & Hollow Sidewalks (2009)
Mid-Century Modern in City of Sacramento Historic Context Statement and Survey Results (2017)

Statewide Historic Contexts

We are no longer able to provide access to the following contexts. Please contact Caltrans' Cultural Studies office to request ADA compliant copies of these documents.

A Historical Context and Archaeological Research Design for Agricultural Properties in California (2007)
A Historic Context and Archaeological Research Design for Mining Properties in California (2008)
A Historic Context and Archaeological Research Design for Townsite Properties in California (2010)
A Historic Context and Archaeological Research Design for Work Camp Properties in California (2013)
General Guidelines for Identifying and Evaluating Historic Landscapes (1999)
Tract Housing in California, 1945-1973: A Context for National Register Evaluation (2011)
Water Conveyance Systems in California, Historic Context Development and Evaluation Procedures (2000)

Underrepresented Communities

Latinos in Twentieth Century California (2015)

African Reflections On the American Landscape: Identifying And Interpreting Africans (2003)

Asian Reflections On the American Landscape: Identification And Interpreting Asian Heritage (2005)

Hispanic Reflections On the American Landscape: Identifying And Interpreting Historic Heritage (2009)

Reflejos Hispanos en el Paisaje Americanos: Identificacion e Interpretation de la Herencia Hispana (2009)

Writing Historic Contexts and Format for Historic Context Statements are documents written by OHP staff to provide guidance and common sense approaches to writing and submitting historic context statements.

NATIONAL REGISTER MPS CONTEXTS

National Register Multiple Property Submission Contexts for California can be used to nominate and register thematically-related properties or to evaluate the National Register eligibility of related properties. Using Multiple Property Submission contexts can greatly simplify and shorten National Register nominations.

National Register Bulletin 16B provides information on how to use these contexts.

Federal Modernism GSA buildings of the 50s, 60s, & 70s

Public Housing In the US

A Model for Identifying and Evaluating the Historic Significance of Post-World War II Housing

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS THEME STUDIES

NHL Theme Studies are valuable resources for developing local historic contexts and preparing nominations. They cover a wide range of themes and resources; a complete list is available online.