PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial # NRHP Status Code 3S, 3CS, 5S3 Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date

Transcription

1 PRIMARY RECORD # NRHP Status Code 3S, 3CS, 5S3 Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date Page 1 of *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Old Topanga Canyon Road P1. Other Identifier: *P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County Los Angeles and (P2c, P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad Date T ;R ¼of ¼ of Sec B.M. c. Address Old Topanga Canyon Road City Calabasas Zip d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone ; me/ mn e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) Property does not have a parcel number. *P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) The original portion of Old Topanga Canyon Road consists of a six-mile, curvilinear, mountainous road leading from its intersection with Mulholland Highway in the city of Calabasas to its intersection with Topanga Canyon Boulevard, also known as State Route 27 (SR 27), in the unincorporated community of Topanga. The segment of the road that is located within Calabasas city limits stretches southward from the Mulholland Highway intersection for approximately two miles. A newer segment of the road in Calabasas stretches for approximately one mile northward from the Mulholland Highway intersection until it becomes Valmar Road. The original road s boundaries are defined as the vehicular right-of-way, which is approximately 25 feet wide. There are no curbs, gutters, swales, lighting, signs, sidewalks, tree lawns, or overlooks. There are informal shoulders at various locations. The guardrails are also sporadic and consist of wood posts and metal rails. No trees appear to have been planted in conjunction with the road, but above ground utilities are visible. Berms appear to be fairly recent improvements. Topography is a character-defining aspect of the road. It ranges from very hilly to mountainous and serves as the road s primary organizational feature, as the road slopes and winds in accordance with the hillsides. (continued page 3) *P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP37. Highway/trail *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.): *P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, structures or objects) P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date, accession #) View near center of historic segment, Looking North, 7/14/2010 *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: Historic Prehistoric Both Circa 1865, Los Angeles Times article *P7. Owner and Address: Los Angeles County Department of Public Works 900 S. Fremont Ave. Alhambra, CA *P8. Recorded by: Name, affiliation, and address) Laura Vanaskie Galvin Preservation Associates Inc S. Pacific Coast Hwy. Suite 104 Redondo Beach CA, *P9. Date Recorded: July 2010 *P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive Reconnaissance *P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") City of Calabasas Historic Context Statement prepared by Christopher A. Joseph Associates, April 7, 2009; updated by Galvin Preservation Associates, July 8, *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Building, Structure and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photographic Record Other (List) DPR 523A (1/95)

2 BUILDING, STRUCTURE AND OBJECT RECORD Page 2 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 3S, 3CS, 5S3 B1. Historic Name: Old Topanga Canyon Road B2. Common Name: Old Topanga Canyon Road B3. Original Use: Road B4. Present Use: Road *B5. Architectural Style N/A *B6. Construction History Canyon pass used as a stagecoach route since c. 1965; oiled road by 1932; no other constructions records were found. *B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: *B8. Related Features: None. B9a. Architect: N/A b. Builder: N/A *B10. Significance: Theme Transportation Resources Area Calabasas Period of Significance: Property Type: Road Applicable Criteria: A (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.) History of Old Topanga Canyon Road 1 With the close proximity of El Camino Real and later Highway 101, Calabasas had access to a major north-south transportation route from the late 1700s. What it did not have until after U.S. statehood was access to the Pacific Ocean. Access came in the form of a stagecoach trail linking Calabasas to the waterfront. It was forged through the mountainous area to the city s south and became known as Old Topanga Canyon Road. The trail was formed circa 1865 and led from Calabasas to the beach just north of Pacific Palisades. It became an important link between the San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica in 1893, when the Long Wharf, part of the original Port of Los Angeles, was built. Old Topanga Canyon Road provided a vital route across the Santa Monica Mountains from the wharf to Calabasas. The Port of Los Angeles was relocated in San Pedro only a few years later in 1987, but the wharf continued to operate until Many of the early Calabasas homesteaders built houses along Old Topanga Canyon Road. They have all been demolished with the exception of the Masson House at Mulholland Highway, where Mulholland intersects with Old Topanga Canyon. Residential development occurred little by little through the early 20 th century along the route. Houses tended to be relatively small and vernacular in style with gabled roofs and wood siding. The few that remain have been expanded upon. B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) None *B12. References: City of Calabasas Historic Context Statement, prepared by Christopher A. Joseph Associates, April 7, 2009; updated by Galvin Preservation Associates, July 8, B13. Remarks: None (Sketch Map with north arrow required.) (continued page 3) *B14. Evaluator: Laura Vanaskie Galvin Preservation Associates Inc South Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 104 Redondo Beach, CA *Date of Evaluation: July 2010 (This space reserved for official comments.) 1 Portions excerpted from City of Calabasas Historic Context Statement prepared by Christopher A. Joseph Associates, April 7, 2009; updated by Galvin Preservation Associates, July 8, DPR 523A (1/95)

3 Page 3 of 6 (continued from page 1) *P3a. Description: The only component landscapes consist of natural trees and vegetation and single-family residential lawns. They serve as secondary organizational elements for the road, as it winds through these other landscapes. Plant life along the road is typical of the region and includes Coast Live Oaks and other natural brush. (continued from page 2) *B10. Significance: Old Topanga Canyon Road evolved into a paved road sometime after Prior to being paved, it was oiled to suppress dust. It was known as El Canyon Road at some point, according to a Los Angeles Times article, but the exact date of this name in unknown. The southern portion of the original trail and road, which is not within Calabasas city limits, is now part of State Route (SR) 27, Topanga Canyon Boulevard. SR 27 dates back to 1915 and became part of the state highways system in Old Topanga Canyon Road is often confused with SR 27, but SR 27 does not cross into Calabasas; rather, it extends from Old Topanga Canyon Road in the community of Topanga to the east and north into the neighboring community of Woodland Hills and beyond. Today, Old Topanga Canyon Road extends from its intersection with SR 27 to the north and west into Calabasas where it crosses Mulholland Highway and becomes Valmar Road. Despite its narrow, winding design, it remains a significant route between Calabasas and the ocean. Its period of significance extends until 1960 to recognize the National Register of Historic Places 50-year age requirement while respecting the road s continued significance. Integrity Statement The segment of Old Topanga Canyon Road from Mulholland Highway south within the city of Calabasas retains integrity of location, setting, design, feeling, and association. Workmanship is not an applicable aspect of integrity, because the road does not include any evidence of craft. The road s only compromised aspect of integrity is materials, because it has been repaved. Repaving is an acceptable alteration, since it is usually necessary to maintain roads and to ensure safe driving conditions. While there are more residences along the road then would have existed during Old Topanga Canyon Road s period of significance, they are mostly set far back from the right-ofway and often not visible behind the tall trees and dense natural landscaping that line the road. Additionally, there are no visible realignments and no newspaper reports of realignments or new construction were found. The segment of Old Topanga Canyon Road from Mulholland Highway north until it becomes Valmar Road does not retain integrity. It has been widened, landscaped, and modernized, which has compromised its design, and it has been overwhelmed by newer housing developments, which have compromised its integrity of setting, feeling, and association. Workmanship is not an applicable aspect of integrity, because the road does not include any evidence of craft. Even its location has been altered by the intersection of Mulholland Highway, which disturbs its alignment. National Register of Historic Places Eligibility Evaluation The National Register requires that a historic property retain sufficient integrity to convey its historic significance. As described above, the segment of Old Topanga Canyon Road from Mulholland Highway south within the city of Calabasas retains sufficient integrity to be evaluated for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In addition to retaining integrity, a potentially significant property must have a relevant context. Old Topanga Canyon Road has been identified as a transportation resource under the context of early settlement in Calabasas. Based on the eligibility requirements in the city s historic context statement, transportation resources are eligible under either Criterion A or C. Criterion A The subject landscape was evaluated for its potential significance as a part of a historic trend that made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. The context considered in this evaluation was early settlement in the city of Calabasas. Old Topanga Canyon Road served two important purposes in Calabasas over time: first as a stagecoach route for mail delivery and later as a critical link between Calabasas and the waterfront, particularly the Long Wharf in Santa Monica. As a historic main artery, many homes were constructed along route, starting with the early homesteaders and continuing to the present day. Therefore, Old Topanga Canyon Road

4 Page 4 of 6 is undoubtedly a significant transportation resource in the history of Calabasas that retains integrity from its period of significance. It is eligible for listing on the National Register under Criterion A at a local level of significance. Criterion C Old Topanga Canyon Road was evaluated under Criterion C for embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or representing the work of a master, possessing high artistic values, or representing a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. The road evolved from a dirt trail into a paved road over the course of many years. In other words, what began as a vernacular landscape evolved into an engineered landscape. The road does not display any evidence of remarkable engineering or construction methods; rather, it appears to have been constructed like most other mountain roads from the period. It was graded into the hillside and paved with concrete. Although picturesque, it is purely utilitarian in design and does not include any designed landscaping, such as tree lines, roadside plantings, decorative barriers, or medians. Shoulders, burms, and barriers exist only where necessary, but are not continuous. As such, Old Topanga Canyon Road is not a remarkable example of any particular type, period, or method of road construction. It is a typical mountain roadway from its period of significance. No records were found naming any of the road s engineers over time. It is likely that many engineers were involved in its construction and maintenance, and as a typical road from its period, it is unlikely that Old Topanga Canyon Road would be considered a representative work within one s career. As such, Old Topanga Canyon Road does not appear to represent the work of a master. The road is not an artwork or a district, so it does not possess high artistic values, or represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. Therefore, Old Topanga Canyon Road is not eligible for listing on the NRHP under Criterion C. California Register of Historical Resources Evaluation The California Register of Historical Resources criteria for inclusion and integrity requirements parallel those for the NRHP. Therefore, Old Topanga Canyon Road is eligible for listing on the California Register under Criteria 1 for the same reasons outlined above. Local Historic Resource Evaluation Like the California Register, the Calabasas Register of Historic Places is modeled after the NRHP. Therefore, Old Topanga Canyon Road is eligible for listing on the Calabasas Register under Criteria 1 for the same reasons outlined above.

5 Page 5 of 6 View of Intersection with Mulholland Highway, Looking West View from Intersection with Mulholland Highway, Looking South View Near North End of Historic Segment, Looking South View Near Center of Historic Segment, Looking South Intersection with Valdez Road, Looking North Intersection with Valdez Road, Looking South

6 Page 6 of 6 Typical Wood and Metal Guard Railing Typical Hairpin Turn Near South End of Historic Segment Typical Edge of Pavement Near South End of Historic Segment Typical Vegetation Along the Road ` Example of Visible Pavement Repairs View of Non-Historic Segment, Looking North