North Downey Suburban Dream Homes
This flat-roofed home is complemented in the front yard by mature bonzai and Japanese rock gardens - landscaping that looks like it has been well tended since it was planted in the 60s.
This home exemplifies the low-profile, spacious feel of postwar suburban affluence and an era before sky-high property values, when a large suburban home came with an equally large yard. Unfortunately, the effect is somewhat diminished by an extremely large - or monstrous - "Tuscan McMansion" - built to the lot line - that sprouted up next door. It is completely out of sync visually and has altered the retro, "California Ranch" character of the neighborhood.
The large white 'cube' and the glass front with arches peeking out from behind give this house a very 'desert modern' look. Yet the landscape is pure suburban subtropical. Particularly striking is the carved juniper, giant bird of paradise and sago palm planting. Next door are classic mid-century ranches.
Since these homes are not the product of a well known architect or an iconic developer (such as Alexander or Eichler), they risk being seen as nothing more than expensive 'tear downs' valued only for their generous lot size. A drive around these neighborhoods will reveal that many mid-century modern homes have fallen to that fate. But they deserve protection and represent an era of California history - the 'post war suburban dream' a time before the rapid 'stucco-ization' of the state (eventually it will look the same from Pismo to San Diego) when builders and buyers embraced concepts such as the "Future" and "indoor/outdoor living" as opposed to a "drab, colonial" past.
My attempt with this page is to give a sampling of a few houses that are interesting and unique - or that have been well preserved by their owners.
Anyone interested can visit www.downeyhistoricalsociety.com or email: [email protected] for information about the "Mansionization Issue." This recently came before the city council for a vote, and was sent back to the planning commission. The Downey Historical Society is preparing an official petition that can be signed by residents.
Contact councilmembers directly via the official city website
Help preserve the look of these mid-century neighborhoods!
left:
Asian-influenced roof details, stone siding, subtropical landscape
right:
view from side street
The book "Southern California in the 1950s" features a Downey Chamber of Commerce brochure with an illustration of this granny-style ranch home.
Wonder what the function the 'birdhouse' detail on the left serves.
Another 50s California Ranch home, with wide lawn and planting of bunch palms.
This house was for sale recently
Exotic plants love the Downey climate
The former home of the parents of Karen and Richard Carpenter. It was featured on the cover of the "Now & Then" album in the 1970s. Karen passed away here, while visiting the folks, in 1983. According to an 'ear' witness: "everyone in town could hear the sirens going the day she died." The parents, Agnes and Harold, continued to live there until they passed away in the 1990s. Richard sold the house in 1998, and continued to keep a home nearby.
We speculated that the room in the upper right hand corner was Karen's.
Above is a long view of the house...nice plants!
There are many Jet Age apartment complexes throughout the city, with styles ranging from vaguely Tiki to this "Brazilian Modern" type building.
The graphic shape of the collonades is carried throughout the building in the windows and window frames. This complex has a funky charm and has been well tended. The bird of paradise are set off nicely.
These pics were taken with a Polaroid, which gave the colors a nostalgic look.