About MOHPG

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Monrovia with an active membership of nearly 200 households. Members work to make a tangible difference in the appearance and livability of our community. 

If you’re not yet a member, we hope that you will consider joining us on our mission. You can visit our Online Store to purchase a membership and become an active participant in helping us continue to restore, preserve and maintain the character of the wonderful city of Monrovia.

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Benefits of Membership

MOHPG Mission Statement:  The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group is entrusted with Monrovia’s heritage through preservation, education, and community involvement.

When you become a member, you will receive a regular newsletter with current information about the group and its activities, and you can attend monthly meetings which cover a wide-ranging list of topics and interests.  Recent meetings have included a visit to Tired Iron Works in Monrovia (a high-end car restoration business); a meeting at the Monrovia Library to hear Sierra Madre resident Joe Feeney speak on California's "Second" Gold Rush; and a beer-tasting at Pacific Plate Brewery, a Monrovia craft brewery.  Meetings are also held in members' homes with a speaker presenting a topic relevant to the interests of the membership (Within the past year they have included a history of beads and a view of several vintage music boxes; a visit to a Monrovia Mid-Century Modern home; a presentation on Batchelder tile reproductions by Cha-Rie Tang, designer of the Monrovia Gold Line platform; and a talk by Rachel Wing on wildfire safety for Monrovia's historic homes).  Occasionally, meetings are open to the public if the topic is appropriate.

Members have access to the Resource Directory, a listing of businesses and craftsmen whose skills are in demand for homeowners restoring their vintage homes. The only way to be included in the directory is by referral from an MOHPG member.

Become a member now and support preservation efforts in Monrovia!

Add One More to the Landmark List

For the second time in five months, a vintage home has been added to the list of landmarked properties in Monrovia.  At the November 19,2013, meeting, the Monrovia City Council voted to approve the 1926 Spanish Colonial Revival, located at 505 N. Alta Vista Ave, as Historic Landmark #129. The owners were also granted a Mills Act Contract.

Besides embodying  characteristics of Baroque, Moorish Revvival and Mexican Churrigueresque architecture, the residence was home to John McBratney, owner of McBratney's "Irish Linen Store," a business on Myrtle Avenue for 60 years. 

Carriage Barn Reconstruction

Follow the progress as Monrovia's oldest carriage barn is reassembled at its new location

To recap:  The carriage barn originally located behind the 1889 Queen Anne Victorian on Greystone Avenue was dismantled in April, 2013.  The cost of the dismantling and removal to its new location was born by the 29 donors who contributed to the project.  The cost of the reconstruction will be born by the family on whose property the barn will be re-erected.  Work on this effort is being overseen by MOHPG member Jimi Hendrix.

9/24/13

Six-by-six steel posts have been erected at the corners of where the barn will be located to provide a supporting structure.

10/7/13

The majority of the steel framework and footings are complete.

10/25/13

In addition to reconstructing the barn itself, some pieces need special attention.

Above left:  The is one of two gable ends that will be attached to the roof (the second must be fabricated).
Above right:  Once paint was stripped away from the cupola, an amazing amount of detail was revealed.  Four copper panels have been made and will be added to the roof of the cupola.

Library Park Icon Destroyed

     Sometime overnight before Wednesday morning, August 7, 2013, the water fountain and enclosure that stood at the southeast corner of Myrtle and Lime was the victim of an errant driver.  The iconic structure has been located there since 1907 when it was donated by the Farmers Club, an agricultural interests group.

     Details of the accident are on the city website which can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/citymanagersoffice/page/monrovia-wishing-well-damaged-late-night-car-crash

Make That Two More

Two vintage homes soon to be demolished

     The good news for homeowners is that with the economy starting to rebound, housing prices are on the rise for the first time since 2008.  The bad news for the community is that some of our vintage homes are being sold, and that increases the potential for them to be torn down, to be replaced with structures that may or may not blend into the neighborhood.
     Pictured below are two homes recently slated to be torn down.

The house on the left was torn down the first week of December, 2013.

     The home on the left was built in 1924 and is a 1012 square foot, single story modest home.  The home on the right was originally a Victorian home built in 1888.  The columns were added later.  In both cases it was determined that neither house was "worthy" enough to be saved.  Unfortunately, the current preservation ordinances in Monrovia do little to protect homes not already landmarked or those on the list of potential landmarks (to view homes on both lists, see the sidebar at the left).