Kids Neighborhood Workshop
City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Division

Part 6: Preserving A Neighborhood


Archibald Avenue as it looked in the 1920s near Foothill Boulevard.		 Historic Preservation
The City of Rancho Cucamonga has a rich history rooted in its rural past as a citrus and wine producing region. The neighborhood study area encompasses two areas of historic significance to Rancho Cucamonga. The original downtown of the Cucamonga community was located at the intersection of Foothill and Archibald. Foothill Boulevard, known as Historic Route 66, was part of an important national highway; hence, was the most often traveled route through the community in its earlier years.

Historic buildings are a valuable resource for the community. The relationship between historic buildings, and streetscape and landscape features within a neighborhood helps define the historic character. Historic preservation seeks to preserve as much of the historic character of a building or site, such as materials or distinctive architectural features.

The Challenge
One of the best ways to preserve the history of our community is to preserve its historic buildings. Because they are old, historic structures often need repair. "Rehabilitation" is the process of making an historic building usable through repair or alteration.

The challenge becomes how to find uses that can adapt to the historic building without requiring physical changes that would destroy the original qualities or character of the building. Such "adaptive reuse" can be seen in several historic landmarks in the City of Rancho Cucamonga: such as the Thomas Winery and Christmas House.

ACTIVITY: SAVE THE CHINA TOWN HOUSE
The oldest and most historically significant structure found in the neighborhood is the China Town House, located at the southwest corner of San Bernardino Road and Klusman Avenue. This duplex is the last remaining building of the Chinatown era, which ended in 1939. The house was built as rental housing for Chinese laborers after a fire in 1919 destroyed the original Chinatown settlement.

Create a new base map for the area shown in this aerial photograph using the method described in Part 3. Make copies or blueprints.

Imagine what types of uses could occupy the China House. Also, imagine what kinds of buildings and uses could occupy the larger vacant lot south of the China House. To start with use a technique called "brainstorming" where you write down as many ideas as possible. Be creative. Afterwards discuss these ideas and the good and bad points of each. Try to reach consensus on a preferred idea.


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