HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04212009 - C.81RECOMMENDATION(S):
ADOPT the recommendation of the Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee (HLAC) designating the Knightsen
Townsite and Nail Ranch property in the Knightsen area as historical districts and REFER the designation to the
Contra Costa County Historical Society for inclusion in the County Historical Resources Inventory.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
On September 10, 2008, the Contra Costa County Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee (HLAC) approved
a nomination by the Knightsen Town Advisory Council (KTAC) for the historical designation of the Knightsen
Townsite and Nail Ranch property.
Mr. Gonzales, a representative of KTAC, provided the HLAC with an informational package that included photos,
maps and considerable historical material and information on the proposed historic districts. After hearing a
presentation from Mr. Gonzales and reviewing the submitted material, the HLAC voted unanimously to approve the
nomination and recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the Nail Ranch
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 04/21/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYES 5 NOES ____
ABSENT ____ ABSTAIN ____
RECUSE ____
Contact: Joyce 335-1316
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of
the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: April 21, 2009
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Katherine Sinclair, Deputy
cc: Maureen Parkes, Ruben Hernandez, Victoria Mejia
C.81
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Catherine Kutsuris, Conservation & Development Director
Date:April 21, 2009
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Designation of Knightsen Townsite and Nail Ranch Property in the Knightsen Area as Historical
Districts
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
property and the Knightsen Township area be designated as historical resources and placed on the County’s
Historical Resources Inventory.
A summary of the areas in Knightsen to be designated, as identified in the material submitted by KTAC, is provided
below.
I. Nail Ranch Property (Area 1)
Nail Ranch was established in the 1860’s and consisted of approximately 8.6 acres located on the east side of Sellers
Avenue, just south of Sunset Road in the unincorporated Knightsen/Brentwood area. In 1986 Nail Ranch was
subdivided by a member of the Nail family with Minor Subdivision #MS22-86. The original 8.6-acre site now
consists of two separate parcels; one owned by the East County Historical Society and the other owned by the City of
Brentwood. The City of Brentwood property is a 7.26-acre site (APN: 015-010-068) identified as 3900 Sellers
Avenue and the East County Historical Society property is a 1.33-acre site (APN: 015-010-069) identified as 3890
Sellers Avenue.
The Nail family settled in the Knightsen area in the 1860’s and constructed a small home on the property which they
occupied while a larger second residence was constructed adjacent to it. The larger residence was completed in the
1870’s. Both the small ‘Original’ Nail residence and ‘Second’ Nail residence are still located on the property. The
East Contra Costa Historical Society currently uses the second Nail residence and a number of other structures on the
property as a museum. The East County Historical Society Museum was established on the property in 1986 through
approval of Land Use Permit #LP2062-86. The East County Historical Society is currently seeking approval of a
modification to the original land use permit to allow additional historical structures to be placed on the property.
The Nail family was one of the earliest families to settle in the area. The second Nail residence is a classic example of
early Californian farmhouse architecture. The second residence has been well maintained over time and is currently in
good original condition. The smaller residence is complete and is in mostly original condition but needs
rehabilitation. Public access to the smaller residence is not currently allowed by the Historical Society.
The East County Historical Society Museum utilizes a number of other structures also located on the property. A
pole barn (Museum #2), detached restroom, storage building, storage shed and railroad caboose are located on the
property and are used in association with the museum. An old, smaller (88 square feet) structure, believed to have
been used as a County Assessor’s building is located next to the school building and is used as an example of a
‘Mercantile’ building. A single wide trailer with an attached metal awning and antique building façade is located
behind the Nail Home and is used as a ‘resource building’. Within the last few years, an old school house was moved
to the Historical Society property from another property in the Knightsen area. It has been placed on a permanent
foundation near the southeastern corner of the property and is not currently in use.
On the adjacent City of Brentwood-owned property, there are also a number of structures including two single-family
residences and a barn which was part of Nail Ranch. The barn is located directly east of the Nail residence and is
mostly complete but in a state of severe disrepair. The two single-family residences are located further north on the
property and are boarded up and vacant. According to the City of Brentwood, the site may be used for a community
center, but currently the city has no plans for the property.
According to Mr. Gonzales, four structures on the East County Historical property and one structure on the City of
Brentwood property are to be recognized with the designation, the structures to be recognized include:
‘Original’ Nail Ranch Home
‘Second’ Nail Ranch Home (currently used as the East County Historical Museum)
School House building (644 square feet)
Mercantile/Assessor’s Building (88 square feet)
Original Nail Ranch Barn (City of Brentwood-owned property)
II. Knightsen Townsite (Area 2)
The second area nominated for designation is the original Knightsen Townsite, also known as downtown Knightsen,
along with nearby portions of A.T. & S.F.R.R. railroad properties and one parcel owned by the County.
Downtown Knightsen consists of all the properties identified as the ‘Town of Knightsen’ in Book 20, Page 7 of the
County Assessor’s Map. The current Assessor’s Parcel Page is based on a survey map of the ‘Knightsen Townsite’
that was approved by the County Board of Supervisors on August 1, 1921. The Townsite consists of approximately
5.72 acres bounded by Delta Road to the south, 2nd Street to the west and Knightsen Avenue to the northeast.
According to the latest assessor’s tax roll there are 27 individual assessor’s parcels in the downtown Knightsen area.
Fourteen (14) single family residences, six commercial buildings, a fire station and two community buildings are
located in the downtown Knightsen area to be designated as historical resources. Four of the parcels are vacant. A
number of the single-family residences and commercial buildings within the proposed district are original buildings
that were constructed in the early 1900’s, including the Knightsen Post Office and Knightsen Farm Center Building
which was built in 1921, the Knightsen Saloon (1900) and the Duff Store and first telegraph building (1925).
The settlement of Knightsen was closely tied to the Knightsen Train Stop and rail yard; therefore, along with the
Knightsen Townsite, the nomination material identified additional portions of land, located across Knightsen Avenue,
to be included in the Area 2 historical district. Four of the properties are within the railroad right-of-way and the fifth
is a 0.56-acre parcel owned by the County. The railroad parcels are identified by State Board of Equalization
Numbers. The portions of the railroad property include; the original Knightsen Railway Switchyard (7.14 acres) from
1900; the Knightsen Train Station/Depot and Knightsen warehouse property (4.05 acres) from 1898 (now the
Knightsen warehouse, ca. 1940); a 4.11-acre property located on the south side of Delta Road that was the location of
the Kristich Pipe Factory (1920); and a 1-acre site south of Delta Road known as the Caboose Park.
The Knightsen Townsite, along with the other sites across Knightsen Avenue, to be designated and identified as Area
2, are important to the overall history and settlement of Eastern Contra Costa County. The nomination material
included several historical facts relating to Knightsen providing additional support for the proposed designation.
Some Knightsen historical facts have been provided below.
Knightsen Historical Facts
The founder of Knightsen, George Washington Knight, settled in the area in 1883 and named the town
“Knightsen” in 1898. Mr. Knight propagated and introduced “The Klondike Almond” from Knightsen at the
1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis.
In the 1920’s record shipments of milk (2,500 gallons a day) were shipped through Knightsen Depot.
Knightsen Garden Club established in 1936 continues today and meets in the historic Heidorn Building (3067
Knightsen Ave., APN: 0220-073-003)
Founded in 1934, the Knightsen 4H is the longest continuing 4H in Contra Costa County.
Passenger train service in Knightsen continued 77 years from 1899 to 1976.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
Adopted this Resolution on 04/21/2009 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSE:
Resolution No. 2009/154
A resolution of the Board of Supervisors (Board) designating two historical districts in Knightsen (Knightsen Townsite and Nail
Ranch) as historical districts.
WHEREAS, to identify and preserve important archaeological and historic resources within the County is a goal set by the
County General Plan (Goal 9-31); and
WHEREAS, the County Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee (HLAC) was established to select eligible sites and places in
the County to be designated as points of historical interest; and
WHEREAS, on September 10, 2008 an application by the Knightsen Town Advisory Council nominating the original Knightsen
Townsite and the Nail Ranch properties in Knightsen as historical resources was presented to the HLAC; and
WHEREAS, the HLAC having reviewed the submitted nomination material and receiving a presentation on the proposed
nomination, voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the two areas identified in the nomination
material be identified as historical resources;
That the Board of Supervisors designate the original Knightsen Townsite and Nail Ranch properties as points of historical
interest and refer this designation to the County Historical Society for inclusion into the County’s Historical Resources Inventory.
Contact: Joyce 335-1316
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: April 21, 2009
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: , Deputy
cc: Maureen Parkes, Ruben Hernandez, Victoria Mejia
Nail Ranch Site
Knightsen Townsite
Proposal to Enter Two Significant Areas inKnightsen, Located in East Contra Costa County, California,For Historical PreservationJune 2008
To preserve and protect the historical significance of the Knightsen named areasfor the valuable contribution made to the prosperity ofContra Costa County,CaliforniaPurpose
>>ÆContra Costa County Promotional Map c. 1915 Knightsen shown
•The entire Community of Knightsen covers about fourteen square miles. The entire area remains rural. The two areas of preservation proposed would be about ½ square mile or two separate defined areas as described below.. Area #1 ~To the South located on Sellers Ave is The East Contra Costa Historical Society( Just north of the East Bay Mud Right of Way) 3890 Sellers Ave.•Area #2 ~To the North is 2ndStreet and Knightsen Ave. The Original Townsite Established in 1898, as described in Contra Costa County Board approval dated August 1st, 1921Area of Concern andProposed Proclamation
Two Significant Historical Locations in Knightsen#1) The East Contra Historical Society (Site of the Nail Ranch)located on Sellers dates back to the 1860’s and today is the East Contra Costa Historical Society Property. The Society solely operates by volunteers and donations.#2) The Townsite of Knightsenas settled dating back to 1883. Knightsen was named in 1898 by George Washington Knight, the AT&SF Railroad and U.S. Postal Service
Area #1 East Contra Costa Historical Society
Eden Plain School HouseFirst Knightsen Area School c. 1868 remains today in Area #1
Original Nail Home c. 1860’s remains today in Area #1
Second Nail Home c. 1870s remains today in Area #1
Area #2Original Knightsen TownsiteEstablished 1898
Historical Facts•George W. Knight propagates and introduces The Klondike Almond from Knightsen at the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis.•Knightsen Farm Bureau Established 1918. Building constructed 1922 on multiple lots donated by G.W. Knight.•Record shipments ( largest in California) of milk ( 2,500 Gallons a day) was shipped through Knightsen Depot during the 1920’s•Butch Columbo (resident of Knightsen) was a team member of the Cleveland Browns Baseball Organization. •Knightsen Irrigation District formed in 1920 to irrigate 10,000 acres of local farmlands.
Record Milk Shipments, Knightsen
Knightsen Farm Center c. 1922 remains today in Area #2
Knightsen Townsite recorded and approved by Contra Costa Board of Supervisorsearly c. 1900’s, Description and Proposed Area #2
Knightsen TownsiteBonded, Notarized, Approved, and Recorded by Contra Costa County
Delta Road c. 1913 These Homes remain today in Area # 2
Addie Knight Duff Home 1stStreet c. 1918 remains today in Area #2
Historical Facts•Johnny Schneider (born in Knightsen) named World Champion Cowboy 1931.•Knightsen Garden Club established in 1936 continues today and meets in the historic Heidorn Building (donated to the society in the 1960’s).•Knightsen 4H (founded in 1934) is the longest continuing in Contra Costa County.•Knightsen resident Theodore Teddy Ohmstede was Justice of the Peace in far east county. He is also honored with Liberty High School District Baseball Field naming for his well known work with youths.•Knightsen resident Edna Heidorn Hill (attended Eden Plain School with Addie Knight) became a local school teacher and was honored with her name on Brentwood’s Edna Hill School.
Wristen Home Knightsen Ave. c. 1915 remains today in Area #2
Ohmstede Store and today U.S. Post Office Knightsen Ave c. 1920’s remains today in Area #2
Heidorn Building c. 1904 Duff Store 1920’s In use and remains today in Area #2
Historical Facts•Knightsen provided irrigation pipe for East Contra Costa County farmers and beyond. Kristich Pipe Company, one of the largest in California, is located in Knightsen and King City.•Passenger train service in Knightsen continued for seventy-seven years from 1899 to 1976.•Knightsen Post Office continues today and was established in 1898. G.W. Knight was the first Postmaster. Postmasters that followed were H.W.Heidorn, Rena Ohmstede Post, Margaret Hell, Myrtle Pykron, Theresa Shahan, and today Carol Halsey.•Knightsen Frontier Spirit, a wild mustang horse gentled in Knightsen, was one of only four horses chosen and displayed at the winter Olympics in 2002. Frontier Spirit continues to be boarded in Knightsen.
Kristich Pipe, Knightsen
Knightsen Ave c. 1920’s, main area of proposed preservation Area #2
Packing Warehouse Knightsen Ave. In use and remains today in Area #2
Home on 2ndand A street recently re-painted, remains today in Area #2
Knightsen Volunteer Fire Station In use and remains today in Area #2Dedicated as Robert V. Pastor Knightsen Station #94
Knightsen Saloon 1890’s In use and remains today in Area #2
Historical Facts•Knightsen became the first location for Dial Telephone service in far east Contra Costa County in 1946.•Sheriff RR Veale, Knightsen Resident served as Sheriff the longest in county history to date (40 years ). In 1898, he was voted in office, which was the same year Knightsen was established.•Knightsen Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1952. Its Fire Station #94 has been dedicated and named Robert V. Pastor Station #94 by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.•Knightsen became a municipal advisory council in 1994.•Approved by a County Board orderas The Knightsen Town Advisory Council under California State Statue Government Code.•Knightsen establishes a Community Services District with overwhelming majority vote to protect Its borders and identity in 2005.
Home on First Street at Delta c. 1900 In use and remains today in Area #2
Railroad Section Home Knightsen Ave. c. 1900 In use and remains today in Area #2
Timeline provided by Footprints in the SandBy HistorianKathy Leighton
State AssemblyResolutionrecognizingThe Town of Knightsen’s100 YearsCentennial1898 to 1998
Letter of Recommendationfor Historical Inventoryfrom East Contra Costa Historical Society
Letter of Recommendationfor Historical Inventoryfrom AssemblymanGuy Houston
Letter of Recommendationfor Historical Inventoryfrom KnightsenGarden Club
Letter of Recommendationfor Historical Inventoryfrom KnightsenTown Advisory Council
Letter of Recommendationfor Historical Inventoryfrom District IIICounty Supervisor Mary Piepho
Letter of Recommendationfor Historical Inventoryfrom District VCounty Supervisor Federal Glover
The number of remaining structures, some dating back to the 1800’s, is twenty fiveQuantity of Parcels and Structures WithinAreas #1 and #2The number of original parcels to be included is forty-one. Some have been combined over the years making the quantity much less.
Application LetterFor Knightsen
Area #1 Overview
Parcel Numbers
Area #1 ECCHS Plot PlanNail Home “1883”Contra Costa Tax Assessor Office “1883” Burlington Northern CabooseEden Plain School House “1868”
List of Parcels Area #1
Area #2 Overview
List of Parcels Area #2
TOTAL PARCELS AND STRUCTURESArea 12 Parcels 10 Structures Area 234 Parcels 37 Structures
References•Contra Costa County Recorders Office•Pleasant Hill Library •Local lifetime residents•Photos from John A. Gonzales Collection•AT&SF Railroad (Santa Fe Railway)•East Contra Costa Historical Society•Historian Kathy Leighton•Book: Footprints in the Sand•California Department of Equalization•Contra Costa County Tax Assessor•Physical Viewing of Structures