Newcastle Portuguese Hall
Also known as: Portuguese Hall
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Why it's listed
Built in 1917-18 on Taylor Road near Newcastle, this wood-frame meeting hall was paid for by donations from local Portuguese families. The lot was given by Manuel Perry and his sister Mary Z. Perry to three Portuguese fraternal societies, and Tony Perry served as head carpenter. The one-story building has a recessed storefront, a large meeting room, a kitchen and a storeroom, with restrooms and electricity added in 1922. In 1930, when Highway 40 was widened, the hall was moved back about twelve feet and raised about eight feet onto a new concrete foundation, which preserved its structure. The hall mattered as a social center where the societies held meetings, anniversary gatherings, Chamarrita folk dances, card parties, showers and holiday celebrations, helping pass Portuguese customs to younger generations. It has been used continuously for over sixty years. It honors the Portuguese-Americans who came to Placer County as miners, railroad workers, dairymen and orchardists.
Significance in brief: The hall was built for three Portuguese-American fraternal societies and served as a social center that kept Portuguese heritage, customs and folk dancing alive for their children. It has been in constant use for over 60 years for lodge meetings, dances and community events. The nomination presents it as an honor to the early Portuguese-American pioneers of Placer County.
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 82002225, listed March 25, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Taylor Rd., Newcastle |
|---|---|
| County | Placer County |
| Listed | March 25, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002225 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1918) |
| Architect / builder | Tony Perry, Head Carpenter |
| Areas of significance | European |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in constant use as a meeting hall; condition rated fair and in need of extensive rehabilitation (painting, wall and restroom repairs, floor refinishing). |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 38.87344, -121.14103 (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 82002225.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133415528
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.