Historic Sites Surveys

Finding aid created by Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County staff using RecordEXPRESS
Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007-4057
(213) 763-3359
seavercenter@nhm.org
https://nhm.org/research-collections/departments/history/seaver-center-western-history-research
2023


Descriptive Summary

Title: Historic Sites Surveys
Dates: 1974-1996
Collection Number: GC 1323
Creator/Collector: Sitton, Tom
Extent: 850 files
Repository: Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, California 90007-4057
Abstract: Files for surveys conducted in the 1970s for over 850 cultural and historic sites in Los Angeles County. Data includes building names, year of construction, architect, owner and type of business. Some photographs attached. 1974-1996, bulk 1974-1978
Language of Material: English

Access

Research is by appointment only

Publication Rights

Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Historic Sites Surveys. Collection Number: GC 1323. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Biography/Administrative History

Surveys were compiled by Tom Sitton during his tenure as the Head of History Department, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. In 1973, the History Department of the Natural History Museum was selected to conduct surveys of Los Angeles County historic sites as part of a statewide project funded through the National Preservation Act of 1966. Tom Sitton was appointed project facilitator in 1974 and worked with various historical societies to complete survey forms. From 1976 to 1977, the museum project operated through a grant awarded by the state Office of Historic Preservation, which allowed the hiring of three graduate students for the completion of 500 surveys, taking site photographs, as well as to help write eighteen nominations for the National Register of Historic Places (three of which were historic districts). The project concluded in 1978.

Scope and Content of Collection

Files for surveys conducted in the 1970s for over 850 cultural and historic sites in Los Angeles County. Data includes building names, year of construction, architect, owner and type of business. Some photographs attached. 1974-1996, bulk 1974-1978 The Los Angeles County historic site surveys were conducted from 1974 through 1978. Compilation of data for historic sites continued beyond 1978 until approximately 1996, by way of Sitton's efforts to add application sheets prepared for National Register of Historic Places nominations. These application forms provide a breadth of information to supplement the data found on the original survey forms. Research materials in the survey files include clippings, photocopies of articles and photographs taken contemporaneously.

Indexing Terms

National Register of Historic Places
Historic sites--Conservation and restoration.
Historic buildings--Conservation and restoration.
California. Office of Historic Preservation.
Los Angeles County (Calif.)

Additional collection guides