Chicano Park
Also known as: Chicano Park National Murals
Why it's listed
Chicano Park is a 7.4-acre public park in San Diego's Barrio Logan, set beneath the approach ramps of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge where it crosses Interstate 5. It began in 1970, when residents took over land that was being prepared for a California Highway Patrol substation and claimed it as a community space. Since then the park has hosted social and political events for San Diego's Chicano community. Its main feature is a large group of murals painted on bridge pillars, abutments and ramps, mostly between 1973 and 1989, depicting pre-Columbian gods, Mexican revolutionary figures, farm worker struggles and Chicano civil rights history. The park also has a Kiosko dance pavilion, designed after residents pushed for an indigenous style rather than the Mission Revival the city first proposed. The result resembles an Aztec pyramid top. Forty-nine murals, the Kiosko, a statue and the overall site contribute to its recognized significance, and many murals were restored in 2011 and 2012.
Significance in brief: The park grew out of the 1970 community takeover of land planned for a California Highway Patrol substation, and it became a gathering place for Chicano social and political events. The murals, mostly painted between 1973 and 1989 by major Chicano artists, depict Mexican and Chicano history, heroes and civil rights struggles. The form recommends significance at the statewide level. The Kiosko, designed after community pressure for an indigenous style, is described as Aztec Revival.
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 12001192, listed January 23, 2013. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Near National Ave. & Dewey St., San Diego |
|---|---|
| County | San Diego County |
| Listed | January 23, 2013 |
| Reference number | 12001192 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Architect / builder | Kiosko designed by architect Alfredo Larin (also spelled Larrin), painted by Vidal Aguirre and Felipe Adame; murals by many Chicano artists including Victor Ochoa, Mario Torero and Felipe Adame |
| Architectural style | Other: Aztec Revival |
| Areas of significance | Hispanic, Art, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a community park for social and political events; many murals were restored in 2011-2012, and newer murals continue to be added. |
| Acreage | 7.4 |
| Coordinates | 32.70130, -117.14395 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
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 12001192.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5095939
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.