Once again the Santa Monica Conservancy played a role in saving another historic landmark -- this time an early 1900s beach cottage in Ocean Park.

SMC members flyered the surrounding neighborhood, asking residents to speak at the City Council meeting or contact Council members by e-mail and fax to fight the owner's appeal of the designation. At the same time, a preservation-minded neighbor stepped in and made an attractive offer to buy the house, which the owner accepted.

The two-story, 1905 house at 128 Hollister Avenue had recently been designated as a landmark, but the owner appealed the designation. He requested that the house be downgraded to a house of "historic significance" and moved to another location or that he be allowed to tear it down so that he could build a modern rental. If it were deemed a house of "historic significance," the community would have up to one year to raise money and relocate the structure.

The City Council decided to deny the appeal and uphold the landmark designation, a decision the new owner is happy with. She painstakingly restored her home on neighboring Wadsworth Avenue.

Hollister Avenue is one of four streets that make up one of Southern California's unique historic beach communities. The Hollister house was one of a few remaining examples of American Foursquare architecture still intact in the neighborhood. This type of house was prevalent in Ocean Park in the first decades of the 20th century. Initially, this part of Hollister Avenue was lined with small temporary cottages until Mr. Hollister and Mr. Wadsworth decided to develop the block with more "commodious and sightly" houses.

Congratulations to the new owner and those who worked hard to save the house and let City Council know the importance of the structure.