Sweet 1950s Time Capsule in Altadena Awaits Its Second Ever Owner

In these makeover-mad, teardown-crazy times, it’s increasingly uncommon to come across a vintage home that has managed to retain most of its original features. When they surface on the market, these houses offer fascinating glimpses at previous eras that no history book can duplicate. In this occasional series, DIRT cracks open noteworthy time capsules for a virtual traipse through the past. Today’s subject flips the calendar pages back to the early 1950s…

Usually the time-capsule houses featured on DIRT could be accurately described as being in pristine or mint condition. Those adjectives do not apply to this particular specimen; in fact, it’s fair to say that the Altadena residence appears to be somewhat the worse for wear. At the same time, much like an old teddy bear that’s missing one of its button eyes, the 1949 traditional ranch looks to have been very well-loved, a supposition bolstered by the fact that it’s stayed in the same family for seven decades.

Located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, below the Angeles National Forest and a few blocks west of the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, the dovecoted Mellinthin-style home sits behind a mature Deodar tree and a circular driveway. Within its 2,026 square feet are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, a knotty-pine-paneled family room, and a sun porch.

Sweet character details are present throughout, from the living room’s wood-burning fireplace and original hardwood floors, to the kitchen’s rounded countertop with built-in shelves and ventilation panels on the undersink cabinetry, to the dining room’s wainscoting, picture rail, and charming wallpaper, to the family room’s built-in bookcases.

Completing the picture are the home’s verdant grounds. Spanning over one-third of an acre, they include a flat grassy yard, a gardening/potting shed, and a veritable orchard of established fruit trees.

Listed with Cynthia Cohn of Cynthia Cohn and Associates, the property is asking $1.25 million.