Politics & Government

100-Year-Old Home Named Historic Landmark

The bungalow home on N. Vista Bonita Ave. was owned by a prominent Glendora family.

The Craftsman style architecture and old, vintage charm is what drew La Verne resident Michael Wright to the house at 122 N. Vista Bonita Ave in 2010. What Wright would later learn, that aside from being built in the year of Glendora’s incorporation as a city in 1911, his new home also had historical ties to a well-known family in Glendora.

The Glendora City Council approved historic landmark designation for the home during Tuesday’s meeting, adding the home to 32 other historic buildings in the city.

The two bedroom, two bathroom home sits on 11,688  square feet of property in the heart of Glendora’s historic downtown neighborhood.  Typical of the Craftsman style architecture, the bungalow has low-hanging roof lines and distinct and impressive stonework along the home’s porch and standing columns.

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The house was built in 1911 by Basil Gordon, grandfather of John Gordon, a former councilmember and Glendora mayor from 1984-1986. The Gordons played an important role in the city’s early development, owning portions of land in Glendora, including the area where Glendora High School sits, according to city documents. Both Basil and his wife, Ethel, lived in Glendora until their deaths – Basil in 1957 and Ethel in 1975.

Craftsman style architecture was very popular in Southern California during the early 20th century and its prominence is found throughout the historic district of Glendora.

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Wright, 52, said he purchased the home because of its close proximity to the downtown Village Center.

“The area is just very appealing,” said Wright. “It’s great to own something that’s not like every other home on your street. It’s very unique and charming.”

Remarkably, even after more than 100 years, the home’s original character and structure has remained intact, with little additions or changes.

The Landmark Designation and Mills Act Agreement ensures the home’s character is maintained with limitations to future alterations on the home. Landmark designation also grants a reduction in property taxes.


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