Historic Homes and Buildings of Victorian Row District
About Victorian Row District
Introduction
The Victorian Row District, designated on December 3, 2003, is a locally recognized historic district in Upland. Its period of significance spans approximately 1895 to 1926, a period reflecting the late-Victorian and early revival/residential styles that emerged in Upland’s early growth.
Historical Context
This district captures homes built during the earliest residential phase of Upland’s transformation from the irrigation colony into a structured community. The years around 1895 onward were significant: the town of Upland (formerly “Magnolia” or “North Ontario”) was consolidating, the railroad connection (via the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway) had been established in 1887, and new subdivisions were attracting residents. The houses in the district reflect that optimism and early-suburban ambition.
Defining Character of the District
- Streets lined with homes featuring Victorian-era ornamentation: steep gables, bay windows, decorative woodwork, spindlework porches and asymmetrical massing.
- The district also includes early 20th-century transitional homes that incorporate simpler forms but still retain Victorian roots.
- The district’s scale tends to be more intimate than the grand boulevard corridors; lot sizes are moderately sized, houses are close to street edges, reinforcing a tighter neighborhood pattern typical of the era.
- While newer infill exists, the core of the district continues to reflect the original era of development through material integrity and configuration.
Why It Matters
- Architectural heritage: The district provides a rich showcase of Victorian-era residential design in Upland, capturing the aesthetic sensibilities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Historical layering: It occupies the intersection of Upland’s early settlement and growth, bridging orchard-era beginnings with suburban residential formation.
- Neighborhood identity: The Victorian Row District keeps alive a sense of the city’s earliest-style homes, helping residents and visitors see Upland’s architectural evolution.
Preservation & Living History
Homeowners in the district participating in preservation efforts may use the Mills Act, enjoy flexibility under the local historic district guidelines, and contribute to the city’s heritage tours and home-walk events. Though specific contributing homes list is not yet included here, local registers and archives at the city’s planning division hold detailed survey documents (not publicly reproduced here).
Visiting and Appreciation Tips
- Pay attention to decorative features such as turned porch posts, patterned shingles in upper gables, and original front-facing windows with stained or leaded glass.
- Compare a few homes built at the start of the period (c.1895-1905) with those toward the end (1915-1926) to see how design simplified over time.
- If possible, try to join a local home tour of the district to gain insider views and hear stories from homeowners about restoration efforts.
Conclusion
The Victorian Row District offers a window into Upland’s earliest residential architecture and community ambitions. It preserves not just houses, but a way of life from the dawn of the city’s development. This district continues to be an architectural and historic asset for Upland.