Saturday, February 25, 2012

Bungalow Court, 1

Pasadena is said to be the birthplace of the Bungalow Court. A lot of these babies were born here. And they're not only in Bungalow Heaven, or Orange Heights, or other historic neighborhoods. They're all over town.

Sweet, huh? You're packed in a little tight, but that's added incentive to be kind to your neighbors.

23 comments:

USelaine said...

Want. Bungalow.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Not only kind, but to be respectful... Close together can u imagine the noise? Great set up for a movable feast.... I like the symmetry of this photo... grass, bungalows, lines of everything balanced...As well as you- right in the middle taking this.

Speedway said...

I've only seen these in the movies, of course, but have always wanted one.

The closest thing to them around here I can recall are some frame buildings at Riley Children's Hospital which were used as labs, I guess. They were torn down years ago.

Vanda said...

They are kinda cute. Not any more packed in than an apartment building, but cozier looking.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ha, Elaine.

I keep meaning to get more pictures of these. This one's on Catalina Avenue. The oldest one in town is closer to my home and I still don't have a photo of it.

John Sandel said...

bungalow court, (n), The tribunal charged with leveeing excessive fees in a neighborhood association.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

@Petrea: Seems as though John is the inner voice to reality and info. :-)

Pasadena Adjacent said...

My mother, when she first came to Pasadena, got a job as a secretary at the Star News and became a resident of a Bungalow court on Colorado blvd/Mentor(?). The one that now houses the Psychic business.

I love them.

Later (1996) when I was looking to buy, I found a clap board bungalow (part of a court) On Palmetto st (?). 65 grand at the time. Alas, I chose the adjacents

Petrea Burchard said...

Better than kangaroo court, I suppose.

Kalei, he's more like the outer voice.

PA, I can't picture one at Colorado and Mentor. Mentor is one block east of Lake--maybe you're thinking further east? Maybe not. Some of these are plunked down right in town.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

@P: Inner sounds better..lol

Diana said...

Pasadena used to have over 200 bungalow courts (yes, they were "invented" here by Sylvanus Marston, the gent to whom we owe the little toe-kick space at the foot of our kitchen and bathroom cabinets, btw), the first one having been about where Target is today. Now we have only 112; the City recently did a nice survey of all the ones they could find. If you're looking for more, you might want to ferret the survey out. I recommend a few:
1.) 500 and 529 S. El Molino
2.) Bowen Court at 539 East Villa Street, the largest bungalow court west of the Mississippi (40 units, I think)
3.)Reinway Court: http://reinwaycourt.com/
4.) Haskett Court at 824-834 East California Boulevard (previously home to the Rose Tree Cottage English-style tea room and now returned as housing by Heritage Housing Partners)
5.) Gartz Court, which that link to the city's website references, moved in its entirety by Pasadena Heritage to its present location to save it from the wrecking ball
6.) As the city link indicates, there are a bunch in the South Marengo Historic District, now mostly professional offices and beautifully kept.

Petrea Burchard said...

Fantastic info Diana, thank you.

I was just at the Pasadena Museum of History to see the Helen Lukens Gaut photography exhibit (you have one more day!). There, they post information saying that Marston designed the first bungalow court but that a developer, Frank G. Hogan, first came up with the idea. He commissioned Marston to design the first court. I never knew that!

They also mention that the first bungalow court was where Target is on Colorado Blvd., but as there are two Targets on Colorado this is unclear. Do we assume the downtown one, or do we know for sure?

Susan Campisi said...

The Target near Vroman's was the site of the first, according to the city.

So much sweeter than high-rises.

Ms M said...

They have some of these in Boise, too, in the old parts of town.

Bellis said...

Thanks for the links - I'm going to keep a lookout for the bungalow courts around town. I never realized that some of the bungalows from Sylvanus's original court are on Catalina by Polytechnic Institute. Can't wait to take a look.

Glad you enjoyed the Pasadena Museum of History exhibition.

sonia a. mascaro said...

I agree with Susan, these bungalow court are much cozy than high-rises. Btw, I don't like skyscrapers.
Very interesting the site of Design&Historic Preservation about
Bungalow courts in Pasadena. Looks so beautiful "Mary Louise Court" and "Gartz Court".

Virginia said...

Oh I love these. Probably too tight pout moi et Meeps but charmant!
V

Margaret said...

I say when we're old we all take one whole court. We each get our own units but we take care cooking and driving each other to the doctor.

Petrea Burchard said...

Margaret, that's brilliant. We should start shopping now. There are over 100 to look at and some attrition will be required.

Diana said...

I would pick Reinway court, personally, but I believe you are required to have a cat to live there... Seriously, you can't walk two feet into the court before renters cats start to stalk out and inspect you - charming!

Petrea Burchard said...

No dog court?

LGreenWriter said...

Very sweet. Something about it makes me want to pack up a picnic basket and put on something gingham.

Petrea Burchard said...

Yes! And your man will be wearing a pair of polished wing tips when he comes to call.