Built in 1897, Santa Monica’s last intact shotgun house was nearly demolished in 1997; After multiple moves and restoration, it now serves as a preservation center.

A small wooden house in Santa Monica has survived something few historic buildings face: threats of demolition, years of storage and several moves from one place to another. Built in 1897, the Shotgun House is now recognized as the last intact example of its type in the city. What started as a modest house near the beach has become an important piece of Santa Monica’s architectural history. Its survival is also a story of residents and preservation groups stepping in when an old building was at risk of disappearing. Today, the house stands at 2520 Second Street, where it has been repurposed as a Preservation Resource Center. The Santa Monica Conservancy, which has cared for the property, marks 10 years since the restored building opened as a community resource in 2016.

From beach hut to landmark

According to the Santa Monica Conservancy, Shotgun House was built in 1897 at 2712 Second Street in Ocean Park, when the neighborhood was rapidly developing as a seaside resort. Shotgun houses were practical and economical structures that were particularly suitable for communities where small vacation cabins near the beach were needed. Originally, the house was within walking distance of the Santa Fe Railroad station and local tourist attractions.The architectural form itself has a longer history. Architectural historians believe that the shotgun house originated in the Caribbean through a mix of African and European influences before becoming widespread in the southern United States during the 19th century. Its simple design made it inexpensive to build and relatively easy to move, while its narrow size allowed it to fit on small lots. The Santa Monica example consists of three small rooms arranged in a row. It has a board-and-batten exterior, a covered front porch, and a gable roof. Although the design is relatively simple, the diamond-shaped shingles on the front gable add a touch of Queen Anne style.

Almost lost to demolition

The house survived as a residence for nearly a century and remained occupied until 1996. However, by that time, many of Santa Monica’s other gun houses had already disappeared. Some had been demolished as they were deemed unsafe, while others were lost as development transformed the city. Shotgun House itself almost suffered the same fate. The Santa Monica Conservancy says community members and preservation advocates helped save the structure from demolition that began in the late 1990s, and the preservation effort continued until 2002. The effort involved concerned residents, the former Ocean Park Community Organization, the Ocean Park Church, the Conservancy and the City of Santa Monica. The building was designated a landmark in 1999. But saving it didn’t mean the house immediately had a permanent home.

A house that kept moving

The structure went through a complicated relocation process. After becoming City property, it was moved several times over the next few years. The Conservancy’s history records that the house was relocated three times before arriving at its permanent location in 2014. Its final journey brought the historic structure to Second Street, across from the Ocean Park Library. At the time, the move was significant enough that the public could watch the tiny house being transported on a flatbed trailer through the streets of Santa Monica. The move finally provided an opportunity to give the building a purpose beyond simply preserving it.

From home to resource center

Under the guidance of the Santa Monica Conservancy, an adaptive reuse plan was developed to rehabilitate the house while preserving its historic character. Funds were raised to restore the structure and transform it into a Preservation Resource Center. The center officially opened in January 2016. Instead of serving as a private residence, the restored building now helps people understand Santa Monica’s historic sites and preservation principles. Provides information for residents, property owners, students, visitors and others interested in local history. It also offers tours and educational programming. The building itself is also an example of adaptive reuse. The Nature Conservancy describes it as a model showing how a historic structure can be rehabilitated and given a useful role in modern community life. The project earned a LEED Gold rating, while the surrounding Shotgun House coastal garden uses drought-tolerant native plants.

Ten years of conservation

In 2026, Shotgun House marks a decade as a Preservation Resource Center. The history of the house is ultimately about more than one 19th-century building. Its survival shows how preservation can work when an old structure is not simply treated as an obstacle to development. A building that once served as a modest vacation home, nearly disappeared in the late 20th century and spent years being moved around Santa Monica, now has a permanent role in teaching the city’s history. At 129 years old, the tiny Shotgun House has gained something its original builders could hardly have anticipated: a second life as a place dedicated to ensuring historic sites are not forgotten.