Minter, George W., House
Also known as: Minter House
Why it's listed
Built in 1877 by Henry C. Berry, this two-story Italianate house at 322 West Third Street in Santa Ana was the home of George W. Minter for 47 years. Minter arrived in Santa Ana in 1874 and worked as a walnut grower, real estate dealer and banker. He served on the park commission, helped raise funds for Birch Park, promoted the creation of Orange County and started the county's first street car line. The wood house has ship-lap siding, wood quoins, a gabled roof with classical cornice details and long narrow double-hung windows. The house was turned in 1900 to face Birch Street and Birch Park across the way. Its interior layout and much original woodwork remain intact. The half-acre lot also keeps a two-story water tower, one of only a few left in the city, and an early twentieth-century barn. The nomination values the property for its architecture and its link to an early pioneer family.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the last Italianate homes in Santa Ana and nearby communities, with remarkably little alteration. It is also tied to George W. Minter, an early pioneer, businessman and civic leader. The surviving water tower is one of only a few remaining in the city.
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 80000830, listed June 9, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 322 W. 3rd St., Santa Ana |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | June 9, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000830 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Henry C. Berry |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and occupied as a private residence; the barn is dilapidated. The city and developers expressed interest in restoration. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Downtown Santa Ana Historic Districts (North, Government/Institutional and South, Retail) |
| Coordinates | 33.74683, -117.87086 (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 80000830.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133337044
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.