Pasadena is considered the birthplace of the bungalow court and this driving tour will show you 17 bungalow courts across the city, most of which are individually listed or are eligible to be listed on the National or State Registers of Historic Places. Some are groupings of small-scale individual housing units around a lawn or planted courtyard, water feature or lamp posts, while others are linear “half courts” on narrow lots, and one is an entire complex of bungalows on a one acre site. You’ll see a range of design styles and construction, from the simple execution of the general bungalow court format, to the creative use of space, style, and landscaping – including designs by some of Pasadena’s leading architects. Although they represent a range of styles and layouts, these bungalow courts share a connection between their indoor and outdoor spaces that convey a sense of community within them. Due to mature landscaping in common areas, some of the courts can be hard to see in the early morning and late afternoon hours. (Please note that the common space and walkways of these bungalow courts are private property, and some courts have locked gates at the sidewalk.)
Mobile Tours
1. Colonial Court, 291 N. Garfield Avenue (Link)
This 1915 Colonial Revival style court was designed by Cyril Bennett. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
2. 428 S. Marengo Avenue (Link)
Built in early 1920s, the bungalows in this Colonial Revival style court are now used as offices. The court is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
3. Marengo Gardens, 990 S. Marengo Avenue & 221 Ohio Street (Link)
The 1913 Craftsman bungalows of this corner court face onto both Marengo Avenue and Ohio Street, with its central courtyard opening onto Ohio. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
4. Euclid Court, 545 S. Euclid Avenue (Link)
The Tudor Revival style bungalows in this court were built in 1922 by the Postle Company. This bungalow court is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
5. Shafer Court, 432 S. Euclid Avenue (Link)
The 1921 English Cottage Revival style bungalows in this court were built by J. H. Baker. The court is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Recommended Detour!
Located one block south of the intersection of East California Boulevard and South El Molino Avenue, the 1921-23 Oak Knoll Gardens development is not technically a bungalow court, but its two petite blocks offer a density of gardens and small-scale houses (many of them English Cottage Revival) of a similar thematic quality to them.
6. Haskett Court, 834 E. California Boulevard (Link)
This court of 1926 Tudor Revival style bungalows was designed by Charles Ruhe. After many years as retail stores, their use returned to housing in 2009. The court is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
7. Bonnie Court, 138 S. Bonnie Avenue (Link)
The Colonial Revival style bungalows in this court were built by J.L. Gilkinson in 1924 and its site was updated in 2005. The court is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
8. Harnetiaux Court, 48 N. Catalina Avenue (Link)
This 1922 Colonial Revival style bungalow court was designed by Joseph Harnetiaux, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Note: across the street you will see the 1905 Samuel P. Sanborn house, designed by Charles & Henry Greene, which has been adapted to office and studio use.
9. 638 Mar Vista Avenue (Link )
Located adjacent to the Bungalow Heaven landmark district, this 1927 Colonial Revival style bungalow court was designed and built by Karl Valentine. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
10. Los Arcos Court, 1044 E. Orange Grove Boulevard (Link)
Located adjacent to the Bungalow Heaven landmark district, the 1921 Mission Revival style bungalows in this court were built by Godber & Gates.
11. Cypress Court, 623 N. Madison Avenue (Link)
The 1928 Colonia Revival bungalows in this court were built by Arthur G. Gehrig. This court is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
12. Bowen Court, 539 E. Villa Street (Link)
This court was built between 1910 and 1912, and its 25 Craftsman bungalows were designed by architects Heineman & Heineman. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
13. Reinway Court, 380 Parke Street (Link)
Designed by C.W. Buchanan and L.C Brockway, the 26 Craftsman bungalows in this 1.4 acre complex were built in 1916. It is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
14. Prime Court, 1389 Prime Court (Link)
Also built in 1924, the Colonial Revival style bungalows in this court are eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Note: Prime Court is a southbound one-way street; park or enter at Rio Grande Street.
15. Washington Court, 475 E. Washington Boulevard (Link)
The English Cottage Revival bungalows in this court were built in 1924.
16. 1532 El Sereno Avenue (Link)
This half-court of English Cottage Revival style bungalows was built by the Jacobsen Johnson Corporation in 1925. It is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
17. Gartz Court, 745 N. Pasadena Avenue (Link)
Designed by Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, this early Craftsman/English Cottage Revival bungalow court was built in 1910 on a site two miles away, and when threatened with demolition in 1984 the bungalows were moved to the present location.
