Sacramento neighborhood considered for historic status

Sacramento's distinctive Boulevard Park neighborhood is up for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

The State Historic Resources Commission will consider the nomination at its meeting Friday in Auburn. It then must be approved by the National Park Service.

The neighborhood of about 300 buildings lies north of midtown, between B and H streets and 20th and 23rd streets. Established in 1905, it was the first housing subdivision created within city limits, complete with sidewalks, landscaping, and sewer and water service, said state historian William Burg.

Today the neighborhood is notable for its large trees, landscaped medians and largely intact historic architecture, including many Craftsman, Revival and Prairie-style homes.

"It was more than just plotting out these blocks," Burg said. "This was a designed neighborhood."

The nomination has been a long time coming. The effort was started about 20 years ago, but it was delayed by the death of a consultant. Burg then completed the proposal several years ago while working as an intern for the city of Sacramento.

The commission on Friday also will consider nominating six buildings in Auburn, including three historic firehouses and two fraternal society buildings.

National Register status imposes no regulations on a property, Burg said. But it does bring recognition and protection against government projects that could disrupt historic features. It also may bolster eligibility for some restoration grants.

Friday's meeting begins at 9 a.m. in Auburn City Council Chambers, 1225 Lincoln Way. For information, visit www.ohp.parks.ca.gov or call (916) 445-7000.

The neighborhood was built atop the former Union Park racetrack, where horse races were held as part of the State Fair before the fairgrounds moved to a location near Broadway and Stockton Boulevard.

In the 1870s, Eadweard Muybridge reportedly conducted early experiments in motion picture technology at the Union Park track. These experiments also proved that horses become completely airborne during their running stride. These experiments were conducted with a horse owned by former Gov. Leland Stanford.

Boulevard Park would not be the first Sacramento neighborhood added to the National Register, but it would become the largest. Parts of the Alkali Flat neighborhood have already made the list.

The Auburn properties include the Oddfellows and Masonic lodges, as well as three firehouses, including Fire House No. 1, an elaborate Queen Anne structure on Highway 49 that was built in 1888.

• Read more articles by Matt Weiser

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