Pasadena California The Bradley Bungalow Merry Christmas 1906 Real Photo Postcard
The postcard depicts a classic bungalow, an architectural style that became immensely popular across the United States from the early 1900s through the 1930s. This design emphasized simplicity, craftsmanship, and a connection to nature, standing in contrast to the more ornate Victorian houses. Key features visible here, such as the low-pitched roof with wide eaves, prominent front porch with substantial pillars (often of stone or brick, as shown), and frequently a single-story or story-and-a-half layout, are hallmarks of the style, often associated with the American Arts and Crafts movement.
The bungalow's rise coincided with suburban expansion and the democratization of homeownership, offering practical and affordable housing for the burgeoning middle class. They were widely accessible, sometimes even through mail-order kits, and reflected a cultural shift towards more relaxed living and a desire for well-built, unpretentious homes. This particular example, with its shingle siding and river rock foundations, showcases typical Craftsman-style elements common in residential architecture of the early 20th century.
The bungalow's rise coincided with suburban expansion and the democratization of homeownership, offering practical and affordable housing for the burgeoning middle class. They were widely accessible, sometimes even through mail-order kits, and reflected a cultural shift towards more relaxed living and a desire for well-built, unpretentious homes. This particular example, with its shingle siding and river rock foundations, showcases typical Craftsman-style elements common in residential architecture of the early 20th century.
