National Register of Historic Places listings in Contra Costa County, California facts for kids

Location of Contra Costa County in California

Did you know that many special places in Contra Costa County, California, are officially recognized for their history? These places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This important list helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that tell us about the past.

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special hall of fame for historical sites across the United States. When a place is added to this list, it means it's important to the history of the country, state, or local area. In Contra Costa County, there are 48 places on this list! One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which is an even higher honor.

Let's explore some of these amazing historic spots in Contra Costa County!

Discovering Contra Costa's Historic Treasures

Contra Costa County is full of interesting places that have been saved because of their history. These sites include old homes, important buildings, and even entire neighborhoods. They help us understand how people lived and worked long ago.

Homes with History

Many old houses in the county are on the National Register. These homes often belonged to important people or show us how architecture changed over time.

The John Muir National Historic Site

One very famous home is the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez. This was the home of John Muir, a famous naturalist and writer. He helped create national parks and is often called the "Father of the National Parks." His house was listed on October 15, 1966. It's a great place to learn about nature and conservation.

John Muir's historic home in Martinez.

The Tao House

Near Danville, you can find the Tao House. This was the home of Eugene O'Neill, a famous American playwright who won a Nobel Prize. He wrote many of his plays here. This house became a National Historic Landmark on May 6, 1971. It's a quiet place where you can imagine stories coming to life.

The peaceful Tao House, home of Eugene O'Neill.

Other Historic Homes

Other interesting homes include the Bernardo Fernandez House in Pinole, listed in 1973, and the Don Francisco Galindo House in Concord, listed in 1988. These houses give us a peek into the lives of early residents. The John Marsh House in Brentwood, listed in 1971, is another important historical residence.

Important Buildings and Structures

Beyond homes, many other types of buildings and structures are recognized for their historical value.

Old Courthouses and Libraries

In Martinez, the county seat, you'll find several historic government buildings. The Contra Costa County Courthouse Block and the Contra Costa County Hall of Records are both listed. The old courthouse building is now the county's Finance Building. The Martinez City Library and the Martinez Downtown Post Office are also on the list, showing the importance of public services in the past.

The historic Contra Costa County Courthouse in Martinez.

The Martinez City Library, a historic building.

Historic Schools

Schools are also important parts of history. The Port Costa School in Port Costa, listed in 1988, and the Riverview Union High School Building in Antioch, listed in 1998, are examples of historic educational buildings. The Tassajara One Room School in Danville, listed in 2014, shows how education used to be in smaller communities.

The old Port Costa School building.

Railroad Depots and Industrial Sites

Railroads were vital for transportation and trade. The Danville Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in Danville, listed in 1994, is a reminder of this era. Industrial sites like the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Richmond, listed in 1988, show the county's role in manufacturing.

The historic Danville Southern Pacific Railroad Depot.

The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Richmond.

Historic Districts and Parks

Sometimes, entire areas or parks are listed because they have many historic features or tell a big story.

Richmond's Historic Areas

Richmond has several important historic districts. The Atchison Village Defense Housing Project was built quickly during World War II to house workers. The Point Richmond Historic District shows what an early town center looked like. The Richmond Shipyard Number Three and the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park highlight Richmond's huge role in building ships during World War II. These places honor the "Rosies" and others who worked hard on the home front.

Homes in Atchison Village, built during World War II.

A view of the historic Point Richmond area.

The Rosie the Riveter monument in Richmond.

Parks and Ranches

Alvarado Park in Richmond, listed in 1992, is a historic park. The Black Diamond Mines near Antioch, listed in 1991, tells the story of coal mining in the area. The Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, listed in 1981, is a historic ranch that shows early farming life.

Alvarado Park, a historic green space.

Entrance to the historic Black Diamond Mines.

The historic Old Borges Ranch.

Unique and Special Sites

Some listings are truly unique, like lighthouses or ancient sites.

East Brother Island Light Station

The East Brother Island Light Station is a lighthouse located on an island west of Point San Pablo, near Richmond. Listed in 1971, this lighthouse has guided ships for many years and is now a bed and breakfast!

The beautiful East Brother Island Light Station.

Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round

In Berkeley, but still in Contra Costa County, is the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round. This classic carousel, listed in 1976, has brought joy to generations of children. It's a fun piece of history!

The historic Merry-Go-Round in Tilden Park.

Prehistoric Sites

The site known as CA-CCO-548 near Brentwood is a very old Native American habitation and burial site. Listed in 2012, it helps us understand the lives of people who lived in this area thousands of years ago.

Marsh Creek Reservoir, near the prehistoric site.

Ships and Wineries

Even ships and places where wine was made are part of this historic list!

SS Red Oak Victory

The SS Red Oak Victory is a real victory ship docked in Richmond. Built during World War II, this ship is a floating museum and was listed in 2001. It's a powerful reminder of America's shipbuilding efforts.

The historic SS Red Oak Victory ship.

Historic Wineries

The Clayton Vineyards-DeMartini Winery in Clayton, listed in 1984, and Winehaven in Richmond, listed in 1978, are historic sites related to California's famous wine industry.

The historic DeMartini Winery.

The historic Winehaven complex.

Why These Places Matter

These historic places in Contra Costa County are more than just old buildings. They are like open books that tell us stories about the past. They show us how people lived, worked, and built communities. By preserving them, we make sure that future generations can also learn from and appreciate this rich history. Visiting these sites is a great way to connect with the past and understand the journey of Contra Costa County.

Images for kids

• Borland House (Martinez, CA).JPG

  The Borland House in Martinez.

• Charles W. Merrill House (Orinda, CA).JPG

  The Charles W. Merrill House in Orinda.