Architectural Heritage

The Vallejo Architectural Heritage Foundation believes that Vallejo's future depends on understanding and honoring what is important about our past. The City of Vallejo forms a pivotal link in California's history and served as the first official State Capital. Although many buildings have been lost, those that remain provide an essential link to the past, reminding us of who we are and where we came from. The Vallejo Architectural Heritage Foundation, founded in 1972, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preservation, education and advocacy

The Foundation was established in response to a massive 1960's era redevelopment project that leveled 24 blocks of the City center including architectural treasures such as the Carnegie Library, demolished in 1969. Increased public awareness of the importance of historic preservation contained the demolition from spreading into the adjacent historic neighborhoods. The Foundation spearheaded the efforts to list the Heritage Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places, put in place a Historic Preservation Ordinance and establish the City's Architectural Heritage and Landmarks Commission…a jurisdictional body charged with enforcing the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Recently, the Foundation served as the local partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in negotiating an agreement with the City of Vallejo and Lennar Mare Island to avoid negative impacts to Mare Island's historic resources while allowing development to proceed. Finally, the Foundation offers educational programs to increase public awareness about Vallejo's vibrant architectural heritage.

The Vallejo Architectural Heritage Foundation's offices are located in the rehabilitated Heritage House at 419 Farragut Avenue between Sacramento Street and Wilson Avenue. The Eastlake cottage, once located on Marin Street in the downtown, was scheduled for demolition. It was donated to the Foundation by Senator Luther Gibson and was moved to its current location in 1985.

Vallejo Architectural Heritage Foundation
Heritage House, 419 Farragut Avenue
Vallejo, CA 94590

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1129, Vallejo, CA 94590
Telephone: 707.644.7649
Web site: www.HistoricVallejo.org

Download the self-guided walking tour of Vallejo’s Historic Districts including the Downtown Heritage District, St. Vincent’s Hill Historic District and the Mare Island Historic District