Alta Vista Home Makes the Cut for Historic Landmark

A Monrovia home will be added to the list of historic landmarks in town.

The City Council Tuesday night voted 5-0 to grant landmark designation to the Spanish Colonial Revival-style home at 505 N. Alta Vista Ave.

The council's action follows the Historic Preservation Commission's approval Oct. 23 of the initial request by property owners Eric and Laura Laun. The two-story, four-bedroom home is 3,221 square feet and was built in 1926.

Also approved was a Mills Act request, which reduces property taxes for the owners in exchange for maintenance and upkeep of the home.

The home's second owners were John and Elsie McBratney.  John McBratney had three storefronts on Myrtle Avenue named McBratney's Irish Linen Store, according to staff.

John and brother William came to Monrovia in 1906 and opened the first store in 1909.  In 1912, William died, leaving John as the business' sole owner.

John and Elsie bought the Alta Vista Avenue home in 1929. When John died in 1938, he left Elsie in charge of the store, who was assisted by her sister-in-law Elizabeth McBratney.  The younger members of the family subsequently became active in running the store.

The McBratney family lived in the home until 1955.  The store was sold by the family in 1969 and closed a few years later.

Monrovia Planning Division Manager Craig Jimenez said the location of the home makes it stand out as well.

"It is all the way at the top of North Alta Vista," he said. "For a long time there were not many other housese built in that area. Since I was a dark-haired planner for the city, it has always been my favorite house in the city."