Pasadena is considered the birthplace of the bungalow court, and this walking tour of South Marengo Avenue will show you a variety of groupings of small-scale individual housing units around a central focal point – a lawn, planted courtyard, or lamp posts – including some designed by leading Pasadena 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. In addition to the historic examples illustrated on this tour, look among their neighbors on South Marengo Avenue for contemporary developments that also incorporate this spatial connection between the buildings and the common space between them. Some of the bungalow courts have been converted to offices, as have a number of the larger Craftsman homes, particularly in the 400-500 blocks.
Mobile Tours
You can click on any bungalow court in the list below to jump to information about that property in the California Historical Resources Inventory Database. Known as the CHRID, this program promotes and protects cultural heritage through documenting and sharing information on historical resources.
1. Don Carlos Court, 372 S. Marengo Avenue
This Spanish Colonial Revival style court was built in 1927 and built by Clarence Hudson Burrell. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
2. 428 S. Marengo Avenue
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. Sara-Thel Court, 630 S. Marengo Avenue
This Craftsman style bungalow court, designed by James Humphreys, was built in 1921 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
4. Cottage Court, 654 S. Marengo Avenue
Built in 1923, there are seven Colonial Revival style bungalows in this court, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
5. 754 S. Marengo Avenue
Featuring elements of the Art Deco style, the bungalows in this court were built in 1931 by D.J. Ringle. This bungalow court is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
6. Marengo Gardens, 990 S. Marengo Avenue & 221 Ohio Street
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.
7. Palmer Parkway Court, 877-899 S. Marengo Avenue
Built in 1940, the bungalows in this court were designed in the California Ranch style by Harold J. Bissner. The court is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
8. 825-835 S. Marengo Avenue
This 1953 California Ranch style bungalow court was built by the Robert C. Daigh Company.
9. 809-823 S. Marengo Avenue
Built in 1939, the clean lines and lack of ornamentation of the bungalows in this court express their Minimal Traditional style. It is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
10. 699-705 S. Marengo Avenue
These 1916 bungalows show influences of the Arts and Crafts movement. This bungalow court was built by Edwin P. Whitney.
11. 645 S. Marengo Avenue
This bungalow court in the Minimal Traditional style was built in 1946.
12. Bryan Court, 427 S. Marengo Avenue
Built in 1916, the Craftsman bungalows in this court were designed by D.M. Renton. This bungalow court is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
