Five sites in California declared new federal historic landmarks

A covered bridge, two vintage post office-courthouse buildings and the ‘70s-era headquarters for the United Farm Workers of America are among five new California sites added to the country’s list of national historic landmarks, the Department of Interior announced Wednesday.

The U.S. Post Office and Court House in downtown Los Angeles built between 1937 and 1940 in Art Moderne style was singled out for high-profile cases heard there, including a court decision in the mid-1940s that allowed Latino children to be admitted to Southern California schools.

Other California sites include:

— The newly designated Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene, Calif., which earned landmark status for being home to the farmworkers movement as well as its leader Chavez. The site called Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz sits in the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County.

— Drakes Bay Historic and Archaeological District in Marin County, which is believed to be the first time an Englishman (Sir Francis Drake, who sailed around the world in 1580) set foot on American shores.

— The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in San Francisco, which was built between 1897 and 1905 in the Beaux-Arts style.

— Knight’s Ferry Bridge in Stanislaus County, noted for being “an exceptionally fine example” of a 19th century timber-truss covered bridge.

There are 2,527 national historic landmarks and 592 national natural landmarks in the United States. The designations Wednesday added 27 more nationwide.

MaryForgione@latimes.com
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