We believe historic preservation fosters community and a sense of place. It preserves architectural and cultural history for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

Who are we?
Preserve Chisholm Woods is a coalition of owners and residents that live in the Firmament Avenue-Chisholm Avenue Residential Historic District.

What are we doing?
Preserve Chisholm Woods advocates for the preservation of our historic neighborhood in order to protect its architectural and cultural history.

Where are we?
Chisholm Woods is located in Van Nuys and consists of one-story houses on both sides of Firmament and Chisholm Avenues between Hart Street and Vanowen Street. This neighborhood is often referred to as “Chisholm Estates.”

What makes us historic?

Read the SurveyLA: Historic Resources Firmament Avenue-Chisholm Avenue Residential Historic District Survey Report

The Firmament Avenue-Chisholm Avenue Residential Historic District boasts a significant collection of largely intact mid-century Ranch-style homes. Contributing homes retain their original plans, massing, scale, and character-defining features of the Traditional Ranch, Minimal Ranch, and American Colonial Ranch style.

The district’s period of significance includes all of its major development and construction of residences between 1947 to 1954. Of the 58 total properties, 97% contribute to the district’s significance. Contributors retain all essential characteristics of their style.

Homes in this district were constructed by notable Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley builders J.L. Chisholm and William Mellenthin.