Northside - City of Riverside

human remains.” As archaeological sensitivity of the area within the Northside
survey boundaries is identified as “Unknown,” without a comprehensive survey
program in place, “…areas slated for development or other ground disturbing
activities [should] be surveyed for archaeological resources by qualified individuals
who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines regarding
archaeological activities and methods prior to the City’s approval of project plans.”
Should archaeological resources be identified in the Northside survey area through
future comprehensive or project-specific archaeological survey, further mitigation
measures described in Sections 6.3.1 through 6.3.4 of the Draft Cultural Resources
Element of the City of Riverside General Plan Update (Appendix D to the Draft
Program Environmental Impact Report) should be implemented.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
The history and development of the Northside was researched in order to gather a
general history of the survey area and compose a historic context statement, which
formed the basis for the evaluation of potentially significant individual properties
and potential districts and assisted in identifying associated property types and
characteristics. In the absence of extensive materials on the history of the area, JMRC
relied mainly upon historic maps, previous surveys of included or adjacent
properties, oral histories, and published local and regional historical accounts.
Exhaustive, property-by-property research to establish construction and ownership
history was not completed; rather selected building permit and Assessor’s records
research was completed and a sampling of city directories was conducted to
establish development patterns and the general composition of the early occupants
of the Northside.
FIELD SURVEY
In order to fulfill the objectives of the Northside survey, JMRC conducted a
reconnaissance-level field survey of the project area, which was organized in parts
and restructured slightly based on field survey results.
In October 2004, JMRC conducted a preliminary windshield survey of the project
and surrounding areas in order to gain a general understanding of the extant
property types and resources within and near the survey boundaries and to note
likely areas of discussion during the oral history sessions. At that time, JMRC made
note of the extent of modern buildings and infill construction and buildings whose
integrity of design appeared to have been compromised by alterations like the
replacement of windows or alteration of window openings, the application of
inappropriate wall cladding, the enclosure or alteration of porches or entries, largescale
or highly visible additions, and the alteration or removal of important
architectural details. JMRC observed the similarities and differences within the
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