Newcomb House
Also known as: Melsek House
Why it's listed
Built in 1914 at 675-677 North El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, this two-story shingled house is a craftsman bungalow of the type called an airplane bungalow. Its low-pitched, multi-gabled roof with wide eaves suggests wings, and intricate strut and fretwork in the porch gables recalls the bracing of a biplane. Battered porch columns of cobblestone and clinker brick, a large stone chimney, and an open pergola over the driveway add to the craftsman character. Inside, a cobblestone fireplace, box-beam ceilings, built-in bookcases and buffet, Douglas fir trim and quarter-sawn oak floors survive largely unchanged. Alterations include an exterior stair added in 1937 and a bathroom enclosed in 1950. The house was built for Dr. R. H. Newcomb by contractor Bert Williams. It was listed as a rare, mature example of the style and of the airplane bungalow, and for its prominent corner position in one of Pasadena's oldest neighborhoods.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare, late and mature example of the craftsman bungalow style and a stand-out example of the 'airplane' bungalow, which was never numerous. It also relates well to its old Pasadena neighborhood, where it caps the earlier development of the bungalow form.
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 82002198, listed September 2, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 675--677 N. El Molino Ave., Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | September 2, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002198 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Bert Williams, contractor |
| Architectural style | Craftsman bungalow (airplane bungalow) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in good condition with minor alterations; the upstairs, until recently a separate living unit, was undergoing interior restoration. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 34.15744, -118.13714 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 82002198.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14683484
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.