Members of the Sacramento City Council on Tuesday designated a new historic district in South Land Park Hills.

The “South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District” features mid-century modern homes constructed in the 1950s by real estate developer Joseph Eichler. Built between 1955 and 1956, the 49 residential buildings included in the district have maintained their historical significance and continue to thrive as a lively residential community.

Eichler’s ranch homes in South Land Park Hills and other California communities filled the demand for quality, affordable housing from returning World War II veterans and their families.

Notable features of the houses include open floor plans and large windows that integrate with backyards — creating an indoor-outdoor living feel. The homes have low-pitched roofs, smooth plywood cladding, and strategically placed windows for privacy.

The garages are seamlessly integrated into the overall architectural design, and the landscape features curvilinear street patterns with consistent front yard setbacks.

Joseph Eichler, in collaboration with Moss & Moss developers, completed 60 of these homes in the South Land Park neighborhood. Eichler employed the architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons to design the houses in this development.

Eichler is remembered for supporting fair housing practices during a time of segregation in the real estate industry. His commitment to nondiscriminatory housing set a precedent for equal access to modern and affordable homes in California.