As the old red brick Chinatown House was listed as one of the most threatened significant historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) on June 19, preservationists and Chinese heritage groups have tried to save it from demolition.

The Rancho Cucamonga structure, described as one of the last surviving examples of Chinese worker housing in the region, was selected by the NTHP for its 2013 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The list also includes the Astrodome, the so-called eighth wonder of the world in Houston; rural schoolhouses throughout the state of Montana; Village of Mariemont, an inspiration for a generation of planners in Cincinnati; Worldport Terminal at JFK International Airport in New York.

The selections were all based on the locales being at risk of destruction or damage beyond repair.

The Chinatown House, built in 1919 and designated as a city landmark in 1985, is one of the last remaining tangible connections to the history of Chinese Americans who helped build modern-day Rancho Cucamonga, leading to it being placed on the trust's 2013 list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

It once served as a general store and residence for about 50 Chinese American laborers, said AP.

The LA Times said that city officials had recently issued a notice to the property's owner, the Cucamonga Valley Water District, to correct structural issues in the vacant and neglected house. The water district was moving forward with plans to demolish the house when local advocates began pushing to save it.

"With proper attention and stewardship, the Chinatown House can serve the community as a tangible reminder of the contributions of Chinese immigrant labor in our nation's history," said Stephanie Meeks, president of the NTHP, adding that they strongly supported finding a solution that can better stewards its legacy, the Ontario-based Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported.

Eugene Moy, vice president of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, told the daily local newspaper that the National Trust designation raises the awareness of the role of the Chinese in the development of the community, and may help toward attracting grant money for financing improvements and rehabilitation of the structure.

"It really identifies how this is a special place because it's unique," Moy said. "It is one of a kind. This is the only remaining Chinese workers' housing remaining out of all these Southern California."