Court
Why it's listed
Built in 1931 on South Marengo Avenue in Pasadena, this bungalow court is an unusual local example of Art Deco applied to housing. Four one-story, stuccoed double units line the property, and the last building on each side rises to two stories and holds three units. These end buildings sit toward the center and are connected by an archway spanning the central driveway. Art Deco detailing includes engaged piers, fluted parapets, black and gold tile chevron insets on the street elevations, and an angular design for the driveway and lawn areas. The contractor was D. J. Ringle. Art Deco ornament enjoyed limited popularity on residential buildings in Los Angeles and is virtually unknown in Pasadena domestic architecture, where this court is one of the very few exceptions. For that reason, and for its distinctive adaptation of the court form, it is considered probably the most unusual court in Pasadena. It belongs to a larger cluster of bungalow courts around Marengo Avenue.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a rare example of Art Deco used in residential building in Pasadena. Art Deco ornament is described as virtually unknown in Pasadena domestic architecture, and this court is one of very few exceptions. Together with its distinctive adaptation of the court form, this makes it probably the most unusual court in Pasadena.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83001187, listed July 11, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 497-503 1/2 N. Madison Ave., Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | July 11, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001187 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Contractor D. J. Ringle |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 34.15472, -118.13852 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83001187.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14681785
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.