Executive Summary Photos - Front/Back Row 2

This ceiling detail is from the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, which was built by Japanese immigrants in 1925, the first Buddhist Temple constructed in Los Angeles. The Temple served a broad range of community needs as a house of worship, secular social hall, and rental space. The building served as the initial headquarters of the Japanese American National Museum, and now houses the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy.

Designed by San Francisco Architect, Henry W. Cleaveland, and completed in 1868, the Bidwell Mansion served as the residence of John Bidwell and his wife Annie. The Bidwell Mansion is Italianate in style with octagonal influences and has hosted notable guests including Susan B. Anthony, President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes, and John Muir. State Parks acquired the mansion in 1964 and it continues to serve a house museum today.

For more information, see Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park.

The Watts Towers of Simon Rodia represent a complex consisting of 17 separate structures. The structures were designed and constructed by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia between 1921 and 1955. Watts Towers were listed on the National Register in 1977 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

For more information, see Watts Towers State Historic Park.

Sierra No. 3 locomotive, built in 1891, is one of only four locomotives built by the Rogers Locomotive Works still in operation. Having undergone a complete restoration, it has resumed its place at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, a unique historic resource in Jamestown, Tuolumne County, that combines industrial heritage, railroad history, and Hollywood lore, as it has appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows—it also contains one of only two preserved steam-era shortline railroad roundhouse complexes in the nation. This “Movie Star” locomotive underwent a complete restoration in 2009, with much of the work completed on site and able to be viewed by the public.

For more information, visit the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park website and the California State Parks page on the Sierra No. 3 locomotive.

Located in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Castro District, the Castro Theater was designed by renowned San Francisco architect Timothy L. Pflueger and completed in 1922. The building’s façade was inspired by Spanish Baroque architecture. It became a California Historic Landmark in 1976.

(Photo from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.)

For more information, see Castro Theater.