Long Beach has 18 historic districts that each contribute their own unique character to the city. Discover more about each district below.
California Heights
Consisting of approximately 1,500 predominantly Spanish Colonial
Revival homes built in the late 1920s, this is the city’s largest
historic district. The boundaries of the California Heights district are
Wardlow and Bixby Roads and Lime and Gardenia Avenues. This area of
Long Beach was established in 1929 by Jotham W. Bixby out of
agricultural lands of the Rancho Los Cerritos. You can also spy a few
examples of Craftsman bungalows and Tudor Revival and Neo-Traditional
homes of the late 30s and early 40s. Some older homes were relocated
there from downtown Long Beach during the early development.
Willmore City
Willmore City/Drake Park was the first historic district declared by
the city. By 1978, the boundaries were Fourth Street to Twelfth Street
and Loma Vista to Pacific Avenue. Willmore City, named for William
Willmore, the developer of the American Colony, which was renamed Long
Beach, was part of the city’s original 1881 plan and contains the
highest concentration of late nineteenth and early twentieth century
homes in the city. Victorian, Craftsman, Mission, Prairie, Italian
Renaissance, and Spanish Colonial Revival styles are all represented.
Drake Park, originally called Knoll Park in 1904 when it was annexed,
was named for Colonel Charles Drake who developed the Pike and the
Virginia Hotel in 1905-06.
Nehyam Neighborhood (Formerly The Grant Neighborhood)
Nineteen residences on the 6000 block of Walnut Avenue are part of an
early automobile suburb that became Long Beach’s 18th historic district
in October 2019. Grant is the first historic district in North Long
Beach, these houses were the modest residences of middle class citizens
and were mostly constructed in the late 1920s and early 1930s, when
Spanish Colonial Revival was popular in Southern California. The houses
have typical details such as terra cotta tile roofs, arched openings,
and stucco walls.
Carroll Park
The Carroll Park district was originally part of the Alamitos
Township. The boundaries are Carroll Park East, Carroll Park West,
Carroll Park North, Junipero Avenue, and Third Street. Landscaped
“islands,” curving streets, several old barns, and Craftsman bungalows
can be found as well as one great Mission Revival example. The curving
streets were designed to keep farm wagons out of the neighborhood on
their way to the downtown city market.
Bluff Park
Bluff Park was the second historic district formed as a defense
against the high rise multi- unit buildings being erected on Ocean Blvd.
Its boundaries are Junipero Avenue, Loma Avenue, Ocean Boulevard, and
Second Street. Large and architecturally distinctive houses were built
between 1903 and 1949 along the ocean bluffs. Craftsman bungalows and
Period Revival styles predominate.
Wrigley
The boundaries of the Wrigley District are 2008-2191 Eucalyptus
Avenue, 439 W. 20th Street, and 417 W. 21st Street. It was named for
chewing-gum magnate William S. Wrigley, Jr., who developed this
two-block area of Spanish Colonial Revival style homes between 1928 and
1934.
Lowena Drive
Lowena Drive is a particularly picturesque district that resembles a
Hollywood set of the silent movie era. Its boundaries are 230, 260, and
280 Junipero Avenue and 2202, 2220, and 2230 Lowena Drive. Chateauesque
structures built between 1919 and 1926 are found on this street named
for developer H. N. Lowe, whose family owned a flower farm on the land
in 1898.
Hellman Street Craftsman Village
The boundaries of the Hellman Street Craftsman District are the north
side of Ninth Street between Orange and Walnut Avenues, Hellman Street
from Orange Avenue to Walnut Avenue, including Toledo Walk to the alley;
both sides of Orange Avenue from 730-937 Orange Avenue, west side of
Walnut Avenue between Hellman Street and Ninth Street, and 733-915
Hoffman Ave. Named for Isaias W. Hellman who developed this
neighborhood, the district features Victorian residences, Craftsman
bungalows, and Spanish Colonial Revival homes.
Minerva Place
Minerva Place is a very tiny district on Minerva Place between 10th
and 11th Streets. Its boundaries are 1045-1085 Minerva Park Place and
1724 and 1746 E. 11th St. Sixteen Spanish Colonial Revival homes were
built in 1925.
Rose Park
The Rose Park Historic District boundaries are the east side of St.
Louis Avenue, the alley north of Seventh Street, Coronado Street, and
10th Street. Though Craftsman bungalows constructed between 1910 and
1922 dominate, Spanish Colonial Revival homes of the 20s and 30s, as
well as Neo-Traditional styles of the 40s, are among this district’s
more than 500 architecturally significant structures.
Rose Park South
Rose Park South is an extension of the Rose Park district which was
established later at the request of the residents. Craftsman style homes
are the most common types of dwellings. The boundaries are the north
side of Fourth Street, south side of Seventh Street, Cherry Avenue, and
Coronado/ Obispo Avenues.
Sunrise Boulevard
Sunrise Boulevard is a conglomerate of many period styles, including
an old Bixby home moved from La Linda Place. The boundaries are
2515-2596 Lime Avenue, 2444-2588 Olive Avenue, 638-836 Sunrise
Boulevard, 701-745 Vernon Street, and 804 E. Willow Street. Originally a
ranch and then a dairy, this neighborhood predominantly features
Craftsman bungalows built between 1908 and 1924. The El Cortez, built in
the early 1920s as a “motor court,” or motel, is now an apartment
complex.
Wilton Street
Wilton Street was originally constructed for the staff at Community
Hospital on Termino. The small homes have very deep lots and boast
formal dining rooms. The boundaries are 3800-3926 Wilton Street between
Termino and Grand Avenues, 1634 Grand Avenue, and 1637 Termino Avenue.
The Spanish Colonial/Mission Revival homes were constructed in 1924 by a
single builder.
Bluff Heights
Bluff Heights was originally part of the Alamitos Township. The
boundaries are Junipero Avenue, Redondo Avenue and Fourth Street. Many
Craftsman bungalows were built between 1910 and 1923. Some unique
structures include late nineteenth century farmhouses and the former
home of architect Harvey Lochridge at Third and Orizaba.
Eliot Lane
Eliot Lane is another diminutive district comprised of Eliot Lane
between Third Street and Colorado. A single block of small Mission
Revival homes lines a very narrow street. At one time these homes were
almost identical.
Brenner Place
Brenner Place is another single builder district that is small, but
significant for its style. It consists of a single block located east of
Alamitos Avenue between Seventh and Hellman Streets. Ten identical
single-story houses on both sides of a narrow private street and two
two-story structures next to an alley create a sense of intimacy of a
bygone era.
Linden Avenue
The Linden Avenue district is interesting because of its varied
architectural offerings. Boundaries are the alley north of Anaheim
Street to 14th Street, consisting of eight houses located at 1324 – 1357
Linden Avenue. Seven of the homes were built for prominent citizens and
display Victorian, Classical Revival, Craftsman, and American
Foursquare architectural styles popular in the early 1900s, while the
Mediterranean multi-family structure was constructed at a later date.
The district includes the Hancock Motors showroom with its wonderful Art
Deco façade by Schilling and Schilling at the southeast corner of
Linden and Anaheim Street.
Belmont Heights
Belmont Heights was originally a separate town until its annexation
by Long Beach in 1909. The boundaries are Newport Avenue, Roswell
Avenue, Fourth Street, and Seventh Street. It has a few Victorian homes,
though Craftsman bungalows predominate. The historic street escapes
extend beyond the district and warrant further exploration.
