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[Architectural Classification] Summary
The Franklin Rosborough “Frank” Thomas House was designed by Theodore Criley, Jr. in the Mid-century Modern style for Frank Thomas and his family. Construction began in November 1948, and the house was complete by April 1949. It is located in La Cañada Flintridge, California, approximately 18 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, and approximately six miles northwest of Pasadena. The Thomas House stands at the northeast corner of its 1.77-acre parcel. The site is wooded, with the building surrounded by foliage and paths through the woodland, obscuring views of the building from the street. The immediately surrounding landscaping, inspired by preliminary site plans done in 1948 by noted landscape architect Garrett Eckbo, is well-developed, and includes mature trees, shrubs, and ivy. The house exhibits the modest scale and massing, horizontal emphasis, and asymmetrical plan associated with Midcentury Modern homes. Though additions were made to the Thomas House over the years, it retains significant character-defining features on the interior and exterior. It retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.
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Statement of Significance Summary[…]
The Thomas House is significant for its association with Frederick Rosborough “Frank” Thomas, a significant figure in the motion picture animation industry (classified under Other: Animation). It is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance under Criterion B for its association with Frank Thomas, one of Disney’s “Nine Old Men.” The period of significance under Criterion B is 1949, reflecting the date that construction was completed and Thomas moved into the house, until 1978, when Frank Thomas retired from Disney Studios. The Thomas House was constructed more than 50 years ago, but it remained associated with Frank Thomas’ productive professional period until 1978. Therefore, it must meet Criteria Consideration G of “exceptional importance” required for properties that continued to achieve significance into a period less than 50 years ago. The Thomas House exhibits exceptional importance due to Thomas’ significance in the animation industry in Hollywood, his 43-year career at Disney Studios, and his personal achievements and innovations in the field of animation. Therefore, the Thomas House meets Criterion Consideration G for properties that have achieved significance within the past fifty years.
The Thomas House is significant under Criterion C as an excellent example of Mid-century Modern architecture in Southern California, as a prominent example of the residential work of architect Theodore Criley, Jr., and for its association with preeminent landscape architect Garrett Eckbo. The period of significance under Criterion C is 1949, reflecting the date the house was completed.
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