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CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL LANDMARK 178 - LINDSAY POINT PLAQUE
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Legislation and Environmental Committee receive information regarding California Historical Landmark 178 - Lindsay Point Plaque located at City Hall, 425 North El Dorado Street, discuss the removal and potential replacement of the plaque, and provide direction to staff.
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Summary
There is no current policy for the removal or placement of California Historical Landmarks on City owned property. In 1968, the Council granted permission for the placement of California Historical Landmark 178 - Lindsay Point Plaque located on the North side of City Hall at 425 North El Dorado Street. It is being considered for removal and potential replacement.
DISCUSSION
Background
In 1934, an application was filed with the State Park Commission to establish the “Site of the First Building in Present City of Stockton” as a registered Landmark. The State Park Commission approved this landmark on March 6, 1935, to be located near the Central Police and Fire Alarm Station Building at the tip of Lindsay Point.
At the time of approval, the approved language read as follows:
“In August 1844, the first settlers arrived at Rancho Del Campo De Los Franceses, one of the Company, Thomas Lindsay, built a tule hut on Lindsay Point where the City Hall now stands. This was the first American built dwelling within the City.”
Funds were not immediately available to pay for the casting off the plaque. In 1969, funds had been raised and a plaque ordered with new language reading as follows:
“In August 1844, the first settlers arrived at Rancho Del Campo De Los Franceses, one of the Company, Thomas Lindsay, built the first dwelling, a tule hut, on this site. He was later murdered by Indians and buried here by travelers. The point was formed by the junction of McLeod’s Lake and Miner’s Channel.”
Resolution 27,255 (Attachment A) passed by the Council September 10, 1968, granted permission for this plaque to be installed on the North side of City Hall at 425 North El Dorado Street and the dedication ceremony was held July 26, 1969.
Present Situation
The City will soon be relocating City Hall to new buildings and the historical artifacts within and surrounding historic City Hall have been undergoing review. Upon review of California Historical Landmark 178, concerns over the language and historical inaccuracies were raised. The Clerk’s Office has received similar concerns from members of the public.
Staff reached out to the California Office of Historic Preservation. They expressed concern over the current condition of the plaque, that the language used does not conform to current historical research, and that the landmark does not meet current eligibility criteria. They recommended removing the plaque with the option to either:
1. Submit a new application that meets current eligibility criteria; or
2. Request a new plaque be approved with the offensive and historically inaccurate language removed.
Stockton’s Municipal Code Title 16 - Development Code only addresses historic sites and landmarks that have been designated by the City through the Cultural Heritage Board.
As there is currently no City policy addressing the maintenance, removal or replacement of California Historical Landmarks on City property and the Council granted the initial permission for placement of the plaque, staff is seeking direction on how to proceed.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are no immediate costs for removal. There are costs for replacing the landmark, the plaque will need to be recast and installed in an appropriate location.