Sierra Madre house that inspired ‘American Bungalow’ magazine seeks $1.5M – Orange County Register

A historic home in Sierra Madre that inspired American Bungalow magazine in 1990 is on the market at $1.489 million.

Known as Twycross House, this 1,736-square-foot classic airplane bungalow has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and Craftsman details.

The house is a Sierra Madre historical landmark and has only had two owners since its completion in 1915. It was built as a wedding gift for newlyweds Ruth and Converse Twycross.

In April 1987, two years after Ruth Twycross died, the family sold the house to John Brinkmann — founder and publisher of American Bungalow, a national quarterly magazine whose purpose is “preserving and restoring the modest American 20th century home, the Bungalow, and the rich lifestyle that it affords.”

Public records show he paid $200,000.

The property includes three separate lots totaling more than three-quarters of an acre. According to the listing, it can be combined into one lot with up to six units, or 11,100 square feet.

Brinkmann, 82, said he hopes it goes to someone who appreciates it as much as he has.

After taking ownership, he recalled by phone how “little old ladies” used to show up at his door “rubbing their hands together asking, ‘What are you going to do with Mrs. Twycross’s house?’”

The answer is clear.

Although Ruth Twycross modernized the living room in 1930 to reflect the Spanish Colonial style of the moment, Brinkmann put it back. He rehabbed the living room’s Batchelder fireplace, replacing missing tiles with reproductions. And he hunted down original brass fixtures for the bathrooms.

Douglas fir doors, plate rails, board and batten wainscotting, built-in bookcases and a china cabinet, and original wood flooring add to the architectural authenticity found throughout the century-old structure that has served as the headquarters of the national quarterly magazine and its logo.

But with subscriptions on the decline, the future of American Bungalow is uncertain even as Brinkmann and his staff continue to meet and maintain the collection of back issues and other products for sale.

“We’ve had an interesting relationship with the house, frankly, and I’m sorry to sell it,” he said. “I never lived there. It was my office. In my mind, Mrs. Twcross still owns the house.”

Reni Rose of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties has the listing.

The 123 S. Baldwin Avenue house will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 1 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 7.