Johnston, Darius David, House
Also known as: Hargitt Ranch House
Why it's listed
Built in 1890-91, this two-story shiplap house on Mapledale Street in Norwalk is an example of rural Eastlake design. Cross gables and bays are shingled and decorated with scrollwork, while spindlework and brackets ornament the front bay windows and the two-story entrance porch. The exterior remains unaltered, and the front door keeps its etched and stained glass. A semi-attached water tower, built in 1878 for an earlier house, still has its original pipes. The house was once the center of Darius David Johnston's 120-acre ranch, first planted in wine grapes and later in prunes, avocados and citrus; housing now covers the surrounding land. Johnston was a leading Norwalk pioneer who helped organize the school district in 1880 and served on its board until his death in 1917. He also helped Japanese immigrants find work, housing and schooling. Schools in Norwalk carry the names of Johnston and his daughter Cora Hargitt. The city owns the property and was restoring it as a museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the few remaining two-story Eastlake houses in original condition in the Norwalk area, retaining most of its original embellishment. It is also significant as the home of Darius David Johnston, a leading Norwalk pioneer who helped organize the Norwalk School District in 1880. He also aided Japanese immigrants in the 1880s with employment, housing and schooling.
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 78000693, listed November 2, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 12426 Mapledale St., Norwalk |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | November 2, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000693 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890-91 |
| Architect / builder | Darius David Johnston |
| Architectural style | Eastlake |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | City-owned and being restored as a museum; the form lists its condition as good, on its original site, with an unaltered exterior. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 33.89833, -118.06815 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 78000693.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q122223000
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.