Evanston Inn
Also known as: The Evanston Inn Apartments
Why it's listed
Three connected wood-frame buildings at the corner of South Marengo Avenue and Evanston Place in Pasadena make up the Evanston Inn, built between 1897 and 1905. The main building opened in 1897 as a hotel, a second building followed in 1898, and a final expansion came in 1905. The complex combines Queen Anne and Colonial Revival features, including a Palladian window, oval windows, polygonal dormers, a columned veranda and varied shingle textures. Set back on a large lot with palm and citrus trees, it keeps a farmhouse feel. Pasadena became a nationally known resort city, and the Inn represents the smaller, boarding-house style hotels that offered a quiet alternative to large luxury hotels such as the Raymond and Hotel Green. It is described as the city's only remaining 19th-century wood-frame hotel and the last of its type. The building is now used as apartments and is in fair condition, with few visible alterations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is Pasadena's only remaining wood-frame hotel from the 19th century and the last survivor of the small, homey resort inns that served winter visitors. It also shows a well-executed blend of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival design with harmonious additions.
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 84000787, listed September 13, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 385-395 S. Marengo Ave., Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | September 13, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000787 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1897/1898/1905 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne and Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Originally a hotel, now used as apartments; the form lists it as occupied and in fair condition, with only minor visible alterations (added steps and overhang at the front). |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 34.13851, -118.14621 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 84000787.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14681959
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.