Tulare Council approves five historic cultural landmarks, adds properties and aircraft to local register

The Tulare City Council voted to pass to print an ordinance approving five historic cultural landmark nominations on Tuesday, adding local properties and aircraft to the city's register.

The nominations approved were the Tulare Veterans Memorial Building, the Hoyt House, a T-29A Convair airplane (linked to a downtown eatery), a B-17 bomber and an F-4 Phantom jet located at Mefford Field. Planning staff presented the items under Tulare Municipal Code chapter 10.38, which governs the city's historic-preservation program.

Why it matters: The designations formalize local recognition for structures and objects tied to Tulare's civic and military history and can increase public awareness of preservation needs. Council and staff discussed mechanisms to ensure future owners learn of landmark status, including potentially recording resolutions with the Tulare County Recorder.

Planning presentation and nominations: Senior planning staff summarized each nomination and its history. The Tulare Veterans Memorial Building was nominated by Daryl Ward, identified in the hearing as president of the Tulare Veterans Memorial District; Ward urged the council to vote in the affirmative, saying the building represents local history. Don LeBaron was named in staff remarks as the property owner who nominated the Hoyt House and the Convair airplane display.

Advisory committee endorsement: Chris Harrell, speaking for the Historic Cultural Landmark Advisory Committee, said the five nominations represent a combined 400 years of history and emphasized their public service connections and recognition in media and community events.

Council discussion and vote: Council members questioned procedural details about notifying successor owners and whether adopted landmark resolutions should be recorded so title companies and future buyers receive notice; staff said they would discuss recording the resolutions with the county recorder and consider ordinance amendments if needed. Vice Mayor Harrell moved to pass to print the ordinance; Mayor Isherwood seconded and the motion passed by voice vote, 5-0.

What's next: The council's action was to pass to print the ordinance (a step toward formal adoption); further procedural steps, including final ordinance adoption and any staff follow-up on recording or explanatory exhibits, will be handled by planning and the city clerk.

Quote: "As the president of the Tulare Memorial District, we believe this building says what history is in Tulare," Daryl Ward told the council when urging approval.

Sources: Staff presentation and public hearing testimony at the Feb. 3, 2026 Tulare City Council meeting.