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NAME Marylin Apartments REF. NO. 177
ADDRESS 925 North Lacy Street
CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92701 ORANGE COUNTY
YEAR BUILT 1930 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Key
HISTORIC DISTRICT French Park NEIGHBORHOOD French Park
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION A, C NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS CODE 1D
Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted
USGS 7.5” Quad Date: T R ¼ of ¼ of Sec : B.M.
Prehistoric Historic Both
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND RELATED TO PERIOD ARCHITECTURE:
The architectural style terminology is adapted from the National Register Bulletin 16A.
The Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style encompasses two major subcategories which include the Mission style and the Spanish
Revival style. The Mission vocabulary, which spans between 1890 to 1920, drew its inspiration from the Missions of the Southwest.
Identifying features of the style include a mission-shaped dormer or roof parapet; commonly with red tile roof covering; widely
overhanging eaves, usually open; porch roofs supported by large, square piers, commonly arched above; and wall surfaces usually
with smooth stucco. The Spanish Revival vocabulary became popular between 1915-1940 and reached its apex between the 1920’s-
1930’s. This style received wide attention after the Panama-California exposition in San Diego in 1915, where precise imitations of
more elaborate Spanish prototypes were showcased. The Spanish Revival is easily identifiable by low pitched roofs usually with little
or no overhangs and red tile roof covering; flat roofs may be surrounded by tiled parapets. The walls are plastered in a variety of
textures. There may be ornate carvings highlighting arches, columns, window surrounds, cornices and parapets. The placement of
fenestration is usually asymmetrical, often recessed, and with broad expanses of wall between. Balconies and window grilles of
wrought iron or wood are also common.
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CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations)
New Apartment building September 15, 1930
Roof deck over garages October 28, 1948
Termite Damage Repair March 19, 1948
Repair Exterior Stairway May 26, 1995
RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape)
Original garages at rear of property
DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and
boundaries.)
The eight-unit (south building) Marylin Apartment building is a rectangular box with an asymmetrical form front façade. The
building is topped with a flat roof fronted with a short shed-style red clay tile clad hood. The original patterned stucco covers both the
south and north buildings. A recessed casement window in the center of the second floor is surrounded by an elaborate shaped arch
and fronted with a small wrought iron balcony rail. A trio of recessed four over four double hung windows, located to the north of the
main entrance, is underscored with a cantilevered row of arches. A small balcony, supported by richly carved turned posts and
balusters, occupies the southwest corner of the second floor. An arch resting on a large stucco-clad pilaster leads to the double French
doors at the main entrance. Wide concrete steps imbedded with decorative tiles on the risers, lead from the sidewalk. A wrought iron
balcony and screen shelter the recessed windows immediately to the south of the main entrance. Three-light casement windows are
used along both the south and north elevations. The defining architectural features that identify this building as a Mission/Spanish
Colonial Revival include its flat roof topped by a tiled parapets; its heavily textured plaster walls; ornate pilasters at the entry;
asymmetrical placement of fenestration; and a wrought iron balcony.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS:
This building occupies part of the entire city block originally held in the McFadden family until 1920. At that time it was offered to
the City of Santa Ana as a park for five thousand dollars. The neighbors raised half the money, but the city declined. Santa Ana
Building Division records show Mrs. Harrold as the owner at the time the apartments were built. By 1932, building permits listed
Edward Yost as the owner. The Yost’s lived in No. 508, facing Wellington, and served as manager of the complex. They built and
operated the Yost Theater on Spurgeon Street in 1919 and the Broadway Yost Theater in 1925. Mr. Yost served on the City Council
in the 1930’s. He was a fifty year member of the Santa Ana Masonic Lodge 241.
RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES: (List attributes and codes from Appendix 4 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office
of Historic Preservation.)
HP 3 Multiple family property
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RESOURCES PRESENT:
Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other
MOVED? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme,
period, geographic scope, and integrity.)
This example of multi-family residential architecture during the City of Santa Ana’s expansion years is located in French Park
Historic District. This two-story residential complex was built during the late development years of French Park, a residential district
nicknamed as the “Nob Hill” of Orange County. French Park, one of the first residential developments in the City, was home to many
prominent businessmen, doctors, bankers, attorneys and civil servants from 1880 to the early 1940’s. This complex is in excellent
condition, and on its original site. The Marylin Apartments is a listed as a contributing structure to the historic architectural integrity
of French Park Historic District. The emergence of multifamily dwellings in a neighborhood originally characterized for housing the
wealthier members of the community illustrates the increased urbanization of the City.
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION:
This building is characteristic of a significant period in the history of the City of Santa Ana. The rapid growth of Santa Ana, as the
County Seat, created the need for an urban style of housing. The Marylin Apartments appear to be unaltered. They maintain the
architectural features that identify it as a Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival such as its flat roof topped by a tiled parapets; its heavily
textured plaster walls, ornate pilasters at the entry; asymmetrical placement of fenestration; and wrought iron balcony.
OWNER AND ADDRESS: Jerome Bowen
1960 N. Greengrove Street
Orange, CA 92865-3988
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RECORDED BY: (Name, affiliation, and address)
Lucy Linnaus
City of Santa Ana, Planning Division
20 Civic Center Plaza M-20, Santa Ana, CA 92702
DATE RECORDED: November 9, 2000
SURVEY TYPE: (Intensive, reconnaissance, or other)
Reconnaissance
REPORT CITATION: (Cite survey report and other sources)
National Register of Historic Places Application for French Park Historic District
Santa Ana Historic Register Application Form
REFERENCES: (List documents, date of publication, and page numbers. May also include oral interviews.)
National Register Bulletin 16A
Identifying American Architecture, by John J.-G Blumenson
A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia and Lee McAlester
City of Santa Ana Building Division Records
EVALUATOR: DATE OF EVALUATION:
EXPLANATION OF CODES:
• National Register Criteria for Evaluation: (From Appendix 7 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of
Historic Preservation)
A: that are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history
C: that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work
of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose
components may lack individual distinction
• National Register Status Code: (From Appendix 2 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic
Preservation)
1D: Contributor to a listed district.