- Home
- Services
- Planning
- Historic Preservation
- Historic Recognition Program
Historic Recognition Program
One of the goals of the General Plan is to preserve and enhance the town's historic and cultural resources. The General Plan Action Item A18.2 encourages the development of a local awards program to recognize outstanding efforts to preserve, conserve, rehabilitate, or provide education about, the elements of Truckee's historic past. The Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (HPAC) began the process of formulating this awards program in 2017.
HPAC identified the following items that should be considered in the award process:
- Work on structures, buildings and other projects (such as public art and public parks) should be considered
- Both new construction or historic buildings can be considered
- The award should be presented to the person/group that accomplished the work
- Projects completed within the last five years have preference. Date is based on building permit final
- Projects should demonstrate high quality design, adherence to historic design guidelines, consistency with the historic character areas, and achievement of restoration opportunities
- Eligible projects include major Historic Design Review projects (rehabilitation and renovation projects and substantial remodels)
- Illegal or after-the-fact work is not eligible.
At their February 12, 2025, meeting, HPAC nominated the Flying A project at 10091 Donner Pass Road as the recipient of the 2025 Sharon Pace Arnold Historic Preservation Award. The project was approved in 2006. The scope of work included a rehabilitation of the "Sierra Superstop" gas station to the "Flying A" building, with a 1950s period of historic significance along with an office/retail addition (2,498 square feet). The project included repairs to the metal siding, replacement of the garage doors, painting of the building and canopy, removing the gas pumps and bollards, and installing new signage, lighting and windows.
The Town Council presented the award to Tom Watson on behalf of the applicant team on May 13, 2025 (Town staff accepted the award in his absence). A copy of the presentation is available using the following link: 2025 Historic Recognition Award (PDF)
Photo credit: Chris Bartkowski
At their April 10, 2024, meeting, HPAC nominated Christina Villines's 10160 Church Street project as the recipient of this award. Christina's project was approved in 2022. The scope of work included the addition of an accessory dwelling unit, window and roof replacement, repair of the rear deck, addition of rear stairs, replacement of the picket fence, paving of the driveway, new exterior lighting and painting.
The Town Council presented Christina Zach with a proclamation and trophy honoring her hard work in May 2024.
At their July 26, 2023, meeting, HPAC nominated three projects that met the criteria and unanimously voted for the Fraiman Office Building project as the recipient of this award. Dan Fraiman's project was approved in 2021. It included the addition of a rear terrace and elevated access bridge; new second story access on the north elevation; replacement of windows and doors; removal of non-historic window and skylights; replacement of the rear stairs and holiday lighting; and minor mechanical and monument sign modifications.
The Town Council presented Dan with a proclamation and trophy honoring his hard work.
At their June 26, 2021, meeting, HPAC nominated Tanya Thayer and Aaron Bigelow's C.B. Whitehouse project as the recipient of the award. Tanya and Aaron started their application after purchasing the property in 2015. They partnered with the Town to complete the Brickelltown streetscape improvements, including an outdoor plaza. In 2019, they received approval for exterior modifications to the building including replacing the painted wood shingles, rebuilding the staircase with new railings, and removing the lattice and wood shingle on the face of the staircase.
The Town Council presented Tanya and Aaron with a proclamation and award honoring their hard work.
At its March 27, 2019, meeting, the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC) unanimously awarded the 2019 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award to John McManus for his restoration work on the Chinese Herb Shop. The Chinese Herb Shop was originally built in 1878 in Truckee's Chinatown and survived a series of fires that eventually destroyed Chinatown. The building serves as a reminder of the significant contributions made by Chinese laborers during Truckee's infancy.
John and his team separated the historical herb shop from the Central Sierra Garage portion of the structure (which currently houses Intero Real Estate) and restored the building to a 1915 period of significance, which included strengthening the structural integrity of the building, removing or repairing all siding and trim, the removal of paint to expose the underlying brick, removing the non-historic roof, and exposing and restoring the Chinese Herb Shop gable roof. The restoration project was completed in 2006. HPAC identified the Chinese Herb Shop as one of the most extensive restorations in Truckee and believed that John and his design team completed a successful restoration that meets the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the Town's historic design guidelines.
A trophy was presented to project applicant John McManus for his work on this incredible project.
At their April 25, 2018, meeting, HPAC nominated three projects that met the criteria and unanimously voted for Zachary Cowan's Alta Hotel project as the first recipient of this award. Zach started his application in 2012. He took on the challenge of learning how to draw up plans, understand the Historic Design Guidelines, research the history of the project, and construct the project. HPAC noticed his hard work, determination, and respect for the historic integrity of the building. The Redlight (Redlight Truckee website) is now a thriving hostel on West River Street (photo below). The website has the story of the restoration with pictures.
The Town Council presented Zach with a proclamation honoring his hard work in May 2018 and a trophy was presented to Zach at a later date. HPAC wanted to ensure presentation of this award in May since May is Preservation month!