Although a relatively new city, Lakewood’s roots date back to the late 19th century when farming communities flourished. The preservation of Lakewood’s historic resources supports the City’s comprehensive interest in housing, sustainability, livability and economic development. In October 2012, City Council approved the Historic Preservation Plan, which establishes a comprehensive program for maintaining Lakewood’s cultural resources and celebrating its heritage.
The Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for guiding the City’s historic preservation program. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews local landmark designation applications and makes recommendations for designation to City Council based on criteria in the Historic Preservation Ordinance. A landmark designation may be issued for any structure, site or district if it is found that:
- It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the City’s history; or
- It is associated with the lives of persons significant in the City’s past; or
- It embodies the district characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
- It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory; or
- It is culturally significant to the Lakewood community.
The City currently has one local landmark, the White Way Grill, located in the Heritage Center. The White Way Grill, a classic diner, was built in 1948. It is a great example of the portable steel sandwich shops created by Valentine Diners.