Washington Court

Six small cottages and a garage form a bungalow court at 475 East Washington Boulevard in Pasadena. Built in 1924 for F. R. Finch at a cost of $2,250 per residence, the court is arranged in an L shape on a long, narrow lot. Each wood-frame unit sits on a concrete foundation and has stucco walls, a cross-gabled roof, flared eaves over an arched entry, wood casement and double-hung windows, and wide wood trim. The cottages face a shared landscaped garden on the east side, while a driveway on the west gives access to each kitchen entrance and to the rear garage. A river rock retaining wall surrounds the site. The court was recognized for architecture as one of the best Pasadena examples of the half-court form, which balanced shared amenities with privacy. It also illustrates the English Cottage Revival style common in 1920s housing. Few changes have been made, and the architect and builder are unknown. It remains in residential use.