In a celebration of Pasadena’s rich architectural heritage, authors Julianna Delgado and John G. Ripley will present their book “Pasadena’s Bungalow Heaven” at a free event on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Santa Catalina Branch Library. The presentation, from 3 to 4 p.m., is part of the Pasadena Public Library’s 140th-anniversary festivities and will spotlight the city’s first and largest landmark District featuring American Arts and Crafts period homes.
Bungalow Heaven, a 16-block area comprising approximately 800 homes built in the early 20th century, was saved from demolition in the late 1980s through a grassroots movement. The neighborhood gained national recognition when it was listed on both the California Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
Delgado, a professor emerita from Cal Poly Pomona and current Pasadena planning commissioner, hopes attendees will gain insight into the District’s formation.
“It was a great grassroots effort by our neighbors in the neighborhood,” she said.
Ripley, a retired aerospace engineer living in the area, recalled the pivotal moment that sparked the preservation effort.
“A house was demolished and it engendered a neighborhood anger and a desire to stop that kind of demolition,” he explained.
The authors emphasized the importance of community engagement in preserving historic neighborhoods.
“If you care, you have to convince your neighbors to come together and do a zoning overlay,” Delgado said. “So you can’t ruin the character of the neighborhood.”
However, both authors expressed concern about recent trends in property renovation.
“Most of the flippers have essentially no idea and apparently no interest in finding out about the historic nature of properties,” Ripley said.
Delgado added, “That whole flipping thing is just so criminal in some ways. I always think about the flooring that is quarter-sawn oak that would cost a fortune to replace.”
The event will also feature the library’s Preservation Corner, showcasing materials on local architectural styles. Attendees can explore this resource to learn more about Pasadena’s diverse architectural heritage.
Delgado said some realtors give the book to potential buyers in Bungalow Heaven. She also emphasized the neighborhood’s strong and united nature compared to other areas in Pasadena, and addressed current challenges faced by historic districts due to new state legislation promoting density.
The presentation, which is also a Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association general meeting, is open to the public and does not require pre-registration. It will be held at the Santa Catalina Branch Library, located at 999 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena.
