Disneyland is now a historic theme park district: What's that mean for future projects?

The 1955 Main Street Railroad Depot at the entrance of the park was identified in 2005 as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places because of the Disneyland train station’s “association with significant events and persons as well as significance related to architecture and engineering within the amusement park property type,” according to the EIR.

The 1966 Pirates of the Caribbean ride in New Orleans Square was identified as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places because it represented a good example of the first phase of renovation and expansion in the 1960s at Disneyland.

The 1972 Hungry Bear restaurant in Critter Country was also identified as a good example of 1970s renovations and expansions at Disneyland.

Why are these three Disneyland locations considered historic and not others?

The Main Street Railroad Depot, Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and Hungry Bear restaurant were designated historic as part of Federal Communications Commission approvals that were required during the installation of cell phone communication facilities in 2004.

A single-family home that was the first building at the Disneyland theme park is also included in the DisneylandForward EIR as a Historically Significant Structure. The Pope House, which was relocated to the theme park in 1955, served as the home of Owen and Dolly Pope.

The Popes managed the horses at the Circle D Corral and moved into the house next to the 10-acre pony farm three days before Disneyland opened to the public in 1955. The Popes moved out of the house in 1971 when they relocated to the Magic Kingdom in Florida to supervise the building of the Tri-Circle-D Ranch.

The Pope House was relocated to a backstage area of Disneyland next to Ball Road when the Circle D Corral was removed to make way for the construction of the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge-themed land.

The California Register of Historic Places recognizes and protects landmarks of architectural, historical, archeological and cultural significance that are associated with important people, master craftsmanship or historical significance. Places can’t be listed as historic over an owner’s objections.