In 2017, in response to the lack of recognition for Pioneertown’s contribution to the history of film, architecture, and culture, The Friends of Pioneertown, a 501(c)3 community non-profit, began gauging the interest among Mane Street property owners to obtaining formal historic status for Pioneertown. As San Bernardino County has no County mechanism for historic recognition, it quickly became apparent that any such effort could only be achieved at the State or Federal level. Working entirely with donated funds, the Friends of Pioneertown engaged a professional historian and began work with property owners and stakeholders to determine the scope and ambitions of a National Register Historic District nomination. In 2020, a nomination was submitted to the National Parks Service and California State
Office of Historic Preservation for consideration. With significant support from local historians and without opposition, in June of 2020, Pioneertown was entered into the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District, conveying special status and some protections for the location, buildings, and environment, as well as creating some financial incentives for preservation and reuse. The final listing as approved is here and includes a history of Pioneertown, why it is so important, it’s Character Defining Features, and a listing of Contributing Buildings.
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