Beach Boys Home May Become Landmark

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

HAWTHORNE, Calif. - Landmark status could be given to the site where Beach Boys brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson (news) grew up to proselytize California surf, sun and cars.

The Wilsons grew up in a house at 3701 W. 119th St., which was demolished in the mid-1980s to make way for the Century (105) Freeway. The landmark status application for the site, now occupied by a freeway wall, was submitted by Harry Jarnagan, 50, of Tracy.

Jarnagan argued in the 84-page application that the site was deserving because the Beach Boys "broadcast to the world an image of California as a dreamlike place of sun, sand, surfing, hot rods and romance, contributing to a specific migration to this state during the 1960s."

Baby boomers grew up on Beach Boys tunes like "Surfer Girl," "Surfin' Safari," "Little Deuce Coupe," Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Help Me Rhonda" and "Be True to Your School."

Beach Boys fans could learn as early as this spring whether historical landmark status will be granted. The California Historical Resources Commission might consider the request during its April meeting, said Cynthia Howse of the Office of Historic Preservation, the state agency that forwards applications to the commission.

Applications are judged on whether they have statewide significance, Howse said.

The absence of a structure at the Hawthorne site doesn't weigh against the application, she said. If Jarnagan's application is approved, the former Wilson home site will be identified by a standard, cream-colored California State Landmark sign with the state's bear logo.

Jarnagan's application included maps, historical information on the site and the band, and letters of endorsement from state Librarian Kevin Starr, music icon Dick Clark, the president of the Beach Boys fan club, the city of Hawthorne, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Maxine Waters, state Sen. Ed Vincent and Assemblyman Jerome Horton, among others.

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