Sacramento's Mid Century Era Architecture and History

Like numerous other cities across the country, Sacramento experienced substantial growth and development following the end of World War II.  Suburban housing quickly boomed along with an increase in commercial, religious, and institutional building.  According to the City of Sacramento, over 48,000 parcels have been identified to have structures having been built between the mid 1940’s through the 1960’s. 

Mid Century Modernism quickly began to appear and would become a leading design style of the era.  This new approach to an architectural aesthetic utilized thoughtful design layouts, modern materials and processes, and would ultimately change the way spaces were planned and designed.  

The War brought a massive influx of job seekers to the region, and according to the US Census Bureau, Sacramento’s population grew by nearly 32,000 residents between 1940 and 1950.  The area’s two air bases, Mather and McClellan, provided ample defense-related employment.  After the War, the post WWII economy boomed, and a great number of those who served were able to seek financial assistance for education and housing through programs such as the GI Bill.  These programs launched Sacramento’s post-war economy and greatly influenced suburban development activities.

Soon the region would see architects and builders coming from larger markets such as San Francisco and New York to take on new suburban housing building projects.  The increased affordability provided a demand, and the innovative use of materials ushered in affordable elements of design and aesthetic once only reserved for larger custom homes.

The greater Sacramento region boasts numerous neighborhoods with an emphasis on Mid Century Modern designed homes, ranging from one-off customs to entire communities of hundreds of units specifically built as duplexes.  Their design and appeal has proven to be timeless and an inspiration for new homes being built in the 21st century.  

See what SacMod non-profit organization is doing to preserve Mid Century history .