California’s historical landmark program started with Charles Lummis‘ Landmarks Club in 1895! The club’s goal was to restore California’s 21 Missions, but there was so much more to California history!

The Department of Natural Resources took over the Landmarks Club in 1931, and the next June 1, California’s had 20 official landmarks! More organizations declared landmarks willy-nilly until 1962 when the state set firm criteria.

A California Historical Landmark must be one of more of the following:

– The first, last, only, or most significant of its type in the state or within a large region of California.
– Associated with an individual or group having a profound influence on the history of California.
– A prototype or outstanding example of a period, style, architectural movement or construction.
– A more notable, or best surviving, work in a region of a pioneer architect, designer or master builder.