The freedom of design offered by the California Bungalow style allowed a house form beyond that of the standard simple rectangle, and the West Monroe circa 1920 house in [figure 55] used this freedom. The roof contains no gables, the front porch is allowed to wrap around the side, and the rear porch is enclosed providing additional room. The exposed rafter ends support a rather deep overhang. The porch supports are constructed of massive wood posts on half height brick piers.
Fig. 55. A rambling California Bungalow on Trenton St., West Monroe (Bldg. 157).
Yet another expression occurs in the West Monroe circa 1926 house in [figure 56]. The high roof allows space for attic rooms. Note shed roof dormer.
Fig. 56. Another expression of the popular California Bungalow (Bldg. 158).
The California Bungalow style continued to be popular in the region until after World War II when it was supplanted by the “ranch” form house with a concrete slab floor.
A 20TH CENTURY COMPLEX—IN THE CITY
When the J. E. Peters house and auxiliary buildings were built in the late 1920’s and 1930’s, the site was on the southern limits of the city of Monroe, but it subsequently was included within the city boundaries. Thus, today a unique rural atmosphere exists within an urban context.
The complex depicted in figures [57] through [60] contains a two story house, garage apartment, storage or quarters building and a pair of water storage tanks.