Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz
Also known as: National Chavez Center at Nuestra Senora Reina de La Paz; National Headquarters, United Farm Workers of America
Why it's listed
Nuestra Señora Reina de La Paz, known as La Paz, is a 187-acre property in Keene, in the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains. Its buildings reflect three phases of use. Four buildings date to the 1910s, when a nearby rock quarry operated. From the 1920s to the 1960s the site served as a tuberculosis sanatorium, leaving dormitory, hospital, cafeteria and residential buildings, many with Craftsman or California Bungalow features and board-and-batten or stucco walls. In the 1970s the United Farm Workers of America made La Paz its national headquarters, and Cesar Chavez lived there year-round with other union staff. The union added buildings such as an administration building, manufactured housing units, a water tank and satellite dishes. The district is listed for its association with Chavez and the union between 1970 and 1984. Chavez is buried in a memorial garden on the grounds. The property remains in use, with a visitor center built in 2004 on the foundation of an earlier bunkhouse and infirmary.
Significance in brief: The property was the national headquarters of the United Farm Workers and the year-round home of Cesar Chavez from 1970 to 1984, a distinct chapter in his life and the union's history. The form argues for national significance based on this association and on Chavez's lasting legacy for labor and social reform movements.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 11000576, listed August 30, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 29700 Woodford-Tehachapi Rd., Keene |
|---|---|
| County | Kern County |
| Listed | August 30, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000576 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1970-1984 |
| Architect / builder | Robert N. Eddy of Bakersfield (cafeteria building, 1954); landscape architect Dennis Dahlin (memorial garden, non-contributing) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman; Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival; Modern Movement; Ranch Style; No Style |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Social History, Hispanic, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 8, 2012 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and well maintained since the end of the period of significance; described as in excellent condition and retaining integrity. It also operates as a museum and educational center. |
| Acreage | 187 |
| Coordinates | 35.22690, -118.56254 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 11000576.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2811238
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.