Two More Monrovia Homes Receive Historic Landmark Status

The single-story Folk Victorian home on Lemon Avenue was built on speculation by John Wilde. – Courtesy photo / City of Monrovia

By Staff

On Tuesday evening the Monrovia City Council approved two radically different homes for Historic Landmark Designations and Mills Act Contracts. The first home is a sleek, mid-century modern home on Hidden Valley Road, the second is a beautifully restored modest folk-Victorian home built in the year the city was incorporated, 1887.

Number One Hidden Valley Road (there is even a sign in front which so designated it) had its building permits issued in 1951 and was designed by the original owner, architect Ward R. Helman and is still owned by family members. As with many mid-century homes it features large walls of windows and an open floor plan. Councilmember Gloria Crudgington, who has long been active in the historic preservation community, remarked that it is one of the few mid-century landmarked homes.

In direct contrast to this home is the quaint “folk-Victorian” home purchased by Pedro Torres who, according to the staff report on the proposed historic status for the house, originally bought the property just as an investment. After doing research on the property Torres has invested more than $200,000 in returning the house to its original appearance that includes an unusual pyramidal hipped roof centered over the front door and a charming front porch stretching across the façade. Crudgington made a point of thanking Torres for his loving refurbishment of the home.