11th Street Bungalow Historic District

In January 2019, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to designate a cluster of vintage bungalows on 11^th Street as the city’s fourth historic district. It was also the first such designation east of 7^th Street, intended to celebrate and preserve a typical working-class neighborhood in early 20^th century Santa Monica.

The 11^th Street Bungalow Historic District, located between Wilshire Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, was largely developed between 1904 and 1925. Its 10 properties, including seven bungalows, representing architectural styles typical of the era, including Craftsman, Victorian hipped roof cottages and a Spanish Colonial Revival.

1223 11th Street.

Districting of the neighborhood was largely due to the efforts of two local groups, Mid-City Neighbors and Friends of 11th Street, who had been trying to save the bungalows since 1989, when one of the structures was demolished to allow construction of an apartment building.

One of the district’s early residents was special effects pioneer Kenneth Strickfaden, who created his magic for 1930s movie classics Frankenstein and The Wizard of Oz.

Other notables associated with the neighborhood included civic leader Waldo Cowan and master builder Joseph Rowe, both of whom were important contributors to the development of Santa Monica.

1229 11th Street.

The city’s first secondary school, Lincoln High School, was built nearby at Santa Monica Boulevard and 11^th Street. The campus was relocated to 6^th and Pico in 1912, becoming Santa Monica High School. But the 11^th Street site remained an educational property, first as Madison Elementary School, then as the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center.

The neighborhood of a century ago was easily accessible to the beach, Santa Monica’s thriving downtown, the entertainment industry and public transportation. It housed the middle-class families behind the growth of education, construction, commerce and movie-making that were the foundation of early Santa Monica.

Sources:

Planning and Community Development, City of Santa Monica

11^th Street Historic Bungalow District application to City Council.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Council Approves 11^th Street Historic District,  Madeleine Pauker, Jan. 24, 2019

Santa Monica Daily Press, 11^th Street Historic District Heads to Council, Madeleine Pauker, Dec. 11, 2018