Googie Car Wash at 5 Points named local historic landmark; council approves designation

The Whittier City Council on Aug. 26 voted to designate the Googie Car Wash at 5 Points (8016 Santa Fe Springs Road) as a local historic landmark, approving the Historic Resources Commission’s recommendation and recognizing the property’s midcentury Googie architecture.

Why it matters: The designation preserves the car wash’s distinctive sculpted steel pylons and boomerang canopy design, and supports the owner’s intent to pursue a Mills Act contract to reduce property taxes in exchange for continuing preservation work.

Owner Dan Cassell, who rehabilitated the site and added a 60‑unit apartment building behind the car wash, described the redevelopment and reuse work and emphasized environmental and community benefits. Cassell said the site now retains historic integrity, has on‑site water capture and recycling for car‑wash operations and includes monarch‑butterfly‑friendly landscaping.

The city’s Historic Resources Commission found the property met eight of nine landmark criteria and retained seven aspects of integrity under the Secretary of the Interior’s standards. The Commission adopted Resolution HRC 2025‑02 recommending landmark designation to council; council adopted Resolution 2025‑44 to place the property on the city register of historic landmarks.

Council action: The council voted by roll call to adopt the landmark designation. Councilmembers praised the restoration and the owner’s investment in the community. The designation clears the way for the property owner to apply for a Mills Act contract at a later meeting.

Ending: The council’s designation formally recognizes the Googie Car Wash as a preservation priority and allows the owner to pursue historic‑preservation incentives while continuing operations and community programming at the site.