SITE HISTORY

What’s a historic district?

A historic district is a geographical definable area which contains a significant concentration of historic buildings. Historic districts can provide protection for historic buildings and sites. And the Mission Hill Area Historic District bounded by the following streets: Mora Street, North Pacific, Chestnut, and Highway 1.

This district is composed of properties that are clustered within the historic Mission Hill neighborhood of Santa Cruz. Mission Hill was the center of activity for Santa Cruz with the establishment of Mission Santa Cruz in 1791 to the Gold Rush and beyond. By the turn of the century, it was predominately residential.

Today, the historic district contains residences with many architectural styles as well as historic buildings connected to the establishment of Mission Santa Cruz and later Holy Cross Church.