Downtown Historic Resources Survey
City of Stockton
Stockton, California

Incorporated in 1850, the northcentral California city of Stockton served as a staging area for miners traveling upriver from San Francisco during the Gold Rush. The city later became the center of agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. In the interest of revitalizing Stockton's downtown historic district, ARG performed an intensive survey of over 200 buildings to determine which were eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources. In addition to providing individual building descriptions, the survey team conducted background research at local libraries and archives, and gathered information from Sanborn maps, newspaper articles, and city directories. The result was a three-volume report consisting of the methodology and context of the town of Stockton, individual building descriptions, and the identification of potential historic districts. This comprehensive report will aid the city in overall planning and redevelopment efforts in the downtown area. Additionally, ARG participated in several seminars with city staff and community members discussing preservation issues and practices.