Rodgers, Moses, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 at 921 South San Joaquin Street in Stockton, this two-story clapboard house measures about twenty-five by forty feet. It combines a steep front gable, a curved Colonial Revival porch, a central chimney and double-hung sash windows on all four walls. Later changes include a rear shed addition and linoleum and paint covering the original interior woodwork. The house was the home of Moses Rodgers, born a slave in Missouri, who trained as a mining engineer and came to California in 1849 for the Gold Rush. Based at Hornitos in the Mariposa mining district, he gained a reputation that led investors to consult him on claims and stock. He moved his family to Stockton in 1890 to give his five daughters better schooling and built this home eight years later. He also drilled the first successful natural gas well in Stockton. The house stayed in the family until 1971. Weathering has left it deteriorated, though the building is structurally sound.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with Moses Rodgers, a prominent Black mining engineer, and with the development of gold mining in California. It is also tied to Stockton's Black community. The form rates its significance as local and rests it on historical association rather than architecture.
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 78000763, listed April 26, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 921 S. San Joaquin St., Stockton |
|---|---|
| County | San Joaquin County |
| Listed | April 26, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000763 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898 |
| Architectural style | Simple eclectic vernacular with Colonial Revival porch |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Black, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Deteriorated from weathering and in need of repair, but described as structurally sound and capable of rehabilitation. The form lists it as occupied private residence, rented. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.94361, -121.28488 (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 78000763.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q65122039
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.