Lancaster County Center, 4845 Ceder Avenue, Lancaster, Los Angeles County, CA

Significance: The Lancaster County Center is considered to be historically significant within a local historic context. As the government and community center of Lancaster the complex was associated with community events and provided essential services that welded a sense of community among Antelope Valley residents. The complex as a whole embodies distinctive characteristics that convey a strong sense of time and place by representing the civil and social center of Antelope Valley from 1938 through the late 1950s. The Memorial Hall was the main center in the valley for social and cultural meetings. During World War II it was the center for the Red Cross wartime food and clothing drive. Local dance and entertainment groups also performed there. In addition, the entire complex of five buildings was the county administrative center for Antelope Valley and provided essential community services including the Sheriff, Health Center, County Clerk Water and Building Department, Assessors Office, Justice Court and Library. From 1938 to 1950 the complex was the sole center of county business for the Antelope Valley and defined Lancaster as the location for local government institutions. As such the complex represents a pattern of events that made Lancaster the social and local government center for the Antelope Valley community from 1938 to 1950.
Survey number: HABS CA-2350
Building/structure dates: 1938 Initial Construction