8 comments

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  Brian

  11 months ago

  Great article Theo. El Cortez has a fascinating courtyard arrangement. Long Beach also has a lot of cottage alley courts, a number of them off of Alamitos Avenue in the central area of the city. Brenner Place (Alamitos/7th) is actually historically designated. The community next door is trying to get another alley court; Ewart Court (Orange/9th) designated. Glad to see more coverage of the city’s unique urban fabric.
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  lbo

  11 months ago

  Thanks, Theo. My (ex)husband's Grandmother lived in one of the bugalows in your photo during the early 70's. I have great memories of many evenings visiting. We were often treated to lumpia made by her Filipino "boyfriend" (read 80 year old boy) who lived in the bungalow across the way. We ate on TV trays and drank sweet wine in tiny glasses. Grandma L. would tell stories about speaking to her boyfriend in Spanish in the courtyard so the neighbors wouldn't understand. "Joe, it's time for cervaaaaza"---Spanish wasn't her first language.That was Jose's cue to walk to the liquor store on Broadway to buy a quart of cervesa. "Cozy" is the best word to describe those little homes. And "cozy" is the best word to describe the memories.
  
  I walk by occasionally and remember how they looked before the stucco and the gates and I can still hear Grandma L. saying, "cervaaaasa."
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  Tracy Myers, Architect

  11 months ago

  The Brown's Court Apartments on Colorado Street in Long Beach are a great example of Bungalow Court Architecture. You can learn more about this property at the following website: http://brownscourtapartments.com/
  The property owners are working with the City of Long Beach to get their property designated Historic Landmard Status. If you are interested in signing a petition supporting this designation, please send email correspondence to tracymyersarchitect@gmail.com.
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  Leslie

  11 months ago

  Great article! I own a bungalow court at 3615-3623 E. Colorado Street. It has a fascinating history and my research shows that it did house oil workers when it was first built. Pictures and more details about this bungalow court can be viewed at the website www.brownscourtapartments.com
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  Theo Douglas

  11 months ago

  Leslie and Tracy,
  Thanks so much for letting me know about Brown's Court Apartments. Please email me at theo@thedistrictweekly.com.
  I'd love to hear more.
  Theo Douglas
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  Phyllis Wallis

  11 months ago

  What a treasure the Brown Court bungalows on Colorado Street are! I've driven past them many times over the years on my way to work, and I'm thrilled to know about their historic roots. They are looking so lovely since they have been restored. I certainly support the concept of giving them a designation as a historic landmark by the City of Long Beach.
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  Jere Becker

  11 months ago

  Long Beach had sooooo many wonderful old buildings. Many were torn down by the misguided idea of "progress" and greed of past City officials. The cheap multi story buildings that were put up in their place ruined many beautiful residential neighborhoods in Long Beach. It is wonderful to see the old buildings being restored and the neighborhoods maintained. The Brown Court bungalows are a great example of the fine architecture that abounded in the City of Long Beach during its glory years. I certainly hope the current City officials will reward those who restore and grant the designation as a historic landmark .
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  Tracy Myers, Architect

  11 months ago

  An online petition has been created supporting the Historic Landmark Designation for the Brown's Court Apartments. Please click on the link below if you would like to sign the petition in support of preserving the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Long Beach.
  
  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/historicbrowns...
  
  Thanks for your support!
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