Wagner, Anton, Duplex
Also known as: Property at 701 E Street
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1869 by Anton Wagner as a rental duplex behind his Pacific Cash Store, this two-story clapboard building in Sacramento's Alkali Flat neighborhood housed railroad workers from the nearby Southern Pacific complex. Later it served as a grocery warehouse, a corner store after a 1910 raising, and a print shop. The structure measures twenty-six by thirty-two feet and has a gable roof parallel to the street, symmetrical mirror-image units, and one-story rear extensions. In 1979 it was moved three blocks to Seventh and E Streets to escape a creamery expansion, and the 1910 store level was left behind. Restoration to its 1869 appearance was under way for law offices. It is considered locally significant as a rare surviving example of simple vernacular architecture from the 1860s, a building type that was once common in the city but has largely disappeared.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the duplex is locally significant in architecture as a good representative of simple vernacular buildings in 1860s Sacramento. It reflects New England-style utilitarian building traditions brought to California between the Gold Rush and the transcontinental railroad. Its long axis parallel to the street and shed-roofed rear extensions were rare locally, and it is now one of the last examples of its type 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 80000836, listed November 10, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 701 E St., Sacramento |
|---|---|
| County | Sacramento County |
| Listed | November 10, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000836 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1869 |
| Architect / builder | none known (built for Anton Wagner) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular, derived from early 19th century New England utilitarian buildings |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered and moved in 1979; in fair condition and being restored to its 1869 appearance for use as a law office. A 1910 first-floor store addition was not moved with the building. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 38.58694, -121.49425 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 80000836.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133444873
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.