California Historical Landmark Facts for Kids

The California State Capitol, one of the state's most visited Historical Landmarks

A California Historical Landmark (often called a CHL) is a special place in California. It could be a building, a structure, or even just a spot on the land. These places are chosen because they are very important to California's history. They help us remember key events and people from the past.

What Makes a Place a Historical Landmark?
Other Ways Places Are Recognized
- California Register of Historical Resources
- California Points of Historical Interest
Gallery of California Landmarks
See also

What Makes a Place a Historical Landmark?

To become a California Historical Landmark, a place must meet certain rules. These rules help decide if a site is important enough for the whole state. A place needs to fit at least one of these ideas:

Is It Unique or First?

It was the first, last, or only one of its kind in California.
It might be the most important example of something in a big area, like Northern, Central, or Southern California.

Is It Connected to Important People?

It is linked to a person or group who greatly changed California's history. These people had a big impact on the state.

Is It a Special Example of Design?

It shows a great example of a certain time period, style, or way of building.
It might be one of the best works by a famous architect or builder from the past.

Other Ways Places Are Recognized

Besides being a California Historical Landmark, some places get other special titles.

California Register of Historical Resources

If a California Historical Landmark has a number of 770 or higher, it is also automatically added to the California Register of Historical Resources. This is another list of important historical places in the state.

California Points of Historical Interest

Sometimes, a place is important but only for a local area, like a city or county. These places can be called a California Point of Historical Interest. They are still special, but their importance is more local.

Gallery of California Landmarks

The Old Customhouse in Monterey, the first designated California Historical Landmark. Here, the American flag was raised in 1846, making California part of the U.S.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá in San Diego. It was the very first Spanish mission founded in California in 1769.
The Cecil B. DeMille Studio Barn, now the Hollywood Heritage Museum. This is where Cecil B. DeMille and Jesse Lasky started Hollywood's first big film company in 1913.
The HP Garage in Palo Alto. Many call it the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley". David Packard and William Redington Hewlett created their first product here in the 1930s.
The Golden Gate Bridge, a famous landmark connecting San Francisco with Marin County.
Sutter's Mill at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. James W. Marshall found gold here in 1848, starting the famous California Gold Rush.
Fort Ross was set up as a trading post by Russian colonists in 1812.
Founded in 1875, Beringer is the oldest winery that has been open continuously in the Napa Valley.
Hearst Castle, a grand estate.
Yosemite Valley, a stunning natural landmark.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a large stadium that opened in 1923.