DANA POINT : City Seeks ‘at Risk’ Historic Homes

In an effort to preserve its history, the city is looking for volunteers to survey buildings built before 1940.

“We’re not sure, but we think there are an estimated 84 historical structures left standing in the city, according to tax records,” said Kit Fox, planning technician. “We need to find out how many are at risk of being destroyed.”

A survey of historical structures done by the county in 1980 was found to be inaccurate, Fox said. It left out such historic buildings as the “Dolphin House,” which was built in 1914, as well as the entire Capistrano Beach area, Fox said. As a result, a structure built in the 1920s was torn down in 1993, before the property owner realized that it was historically significant.

The city’s six-month survey is set to begin in October. When it is done, residents who own historic buildings will be given special tax incentives and other benefits if they preserve the houses.

The City Council approved spending nearly $17,000 on the survey to hire a preservation consulting firm but still needs volunteers to help with research and documentation of old houses, Fox said. Information: (714) 248-3591.