Besides being known as a haven for crazed record producers, the City of Alhambra, having been founded in 1903, can boast about its precious collection of historic (1900 - 1930's) homes. Unfortunately, they are disappearing at an alarming rate.

In a 1984 historical architectural survey done of two areas in Alhambra, over 700 homes were listed as being of historic significance or consideration for landmark status. Sadly, the City of Alhambra ignored the recommendations of this report and through decades of neglect and ignorance, a fraction of those now remain. No effort to save them had been initiated — until now. Like many municipalities throughout the nation, the City of Alhambra allowed countless historic homes to be razed during the 1960's, 70's and 80's in a shortsighted effort to "modernize", thus destroying its architectural heritage and character.

Today, strip malls, apartment complexes, condos and out-of-proportioned structures litter the city. Alhambra's communities are also seeing a lower quality of life from increased traffic, noise and crime that not only overburden city services, but has resulted in a migration of long time residents. This was not always the case.

A "City of Homes"

Alhambra once prided itself as a "City of Homes" in early turn-of-the-century promotional materials. Historic photographs reveal street after street of elegant homes, many in the Arts and Crafts tradition. Alhambra's early residents were mostly made up of East coast families who were attracted to California's year-round mild climate. In fact, census records from the time show that many early Alhambrans hailed from Illinois, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

Early photographs of Alhambra homes built during the late teens and early 20's also reveal an eclectic mix of architectural styles from Spanish castles to Moorish palaces adorned with elegant overhanging gardens. And, like many other towns established at the turn of the 20th century, Alhambra also had a large collection of Victorian homes as well.

Of those, only classic 1910-1930 bungalows have survived including Spanish Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial. Italian Beaux-arts-styled residences, and of course, a wonderful collection of quintessential Arts and Crafts bungalows.

Several pockets and potentially historic districts are scattered throughout the city such as Ramona Park (1909), Mayfair (1927), Emery Park, Midwick (1940), and the Bean Tract (1, where a prominent citrus fruit industry prospered until the early 1950s.

Sadly, the city's first neighborhood flanking the north and south areas of Main Street have nearly been wiped out and replaced with condos and apartments. Just a few of the 1907-1911 circa homes remain although are slated to be razed to conform with the city's aggressive development plans.