Sometimes the best stories begin with a dad joke. Every family seems to have at least one. This was mine.
When my children were young, whenever we drove along Duarte Road near Live Oak Cemetery, I would ask, "Hey, want to see the best grave in the cemetery?"
Meanwhile, Jim Wigton, Monrovia Historical Preservation Group president, has a similar line: He claims he lives in the best house in Monrovia!
What’s the connection between these two jokes? Read more and all will be revealed!
When my children were young, whenever we drove along Duarte Road near Live Oak Cemetery, I would ask, "Hey, want to see the best grave in the cemetery?"
Meanwhile, Jim Wigton, Monrovia Historical Preservation Group president, has a similar line: He claims he lives in the best house in Monrovia!
What’s the connection between these two jokes? Read more and all will be revealed!
Monrovia Historic Landmark #13 231 N. Myrtle Maynard Best. That’s the common thread.
Jim Wigton and Pam Barkas’ home at 231 N. Myrtle is Monrovia Landmark 13. Built for Maynard H. Best in 1908, it was the first house built in the Oaks Tract after it was subdivided in 1907. This large house was originally planned as a home for Maynard, his wife (Briana or Bryana), her daughter Eleanor, his widowed mother Jennie, and Maynard’s sister Florence. Interestingly, the family resided at 250 N. Primrose (the house of Monrovia founder William Monroe) until the home on Myrtle was completed.
Maynard was born in Pennsylvania in 1868. An odd fact is that Maynard was sometimes listed as May or Mae and as a female in the census! Eventually the Bests moved to Monrovia around 1907, although the impetus for the move is not known. As of 1908, Maynard was working with Herbert J. Evans in the real estate firm, Best & Evans, with an office at 611 S. Myrtle Avenue. Maynard became ill and passed away in 1911. His wife lived in the house until 1919.
Jim and Pam bought the home in 1986 and are the fifth owners. They restored the home over the years and it is a beautiful example of a Craftsman home.
Jim Wigton and Pam Barkas’ home at 231 N. Myrtle is Monrovia Landmark 13. Built for Maynard H. Best in 1908, it was the first house built in the Oaks Tract after it was subdivided in 1907. This large house was originally planned as a home for Maynard, his wife (Briana or Bryana), her daughter Eleanor, his widowed mother Jennie, and Maynard’s sister Florence. Interestingly, the family resided at 250 N. Primrose (the house of Monrovia founder William Monroe) until the home on Myrtle was completed.
Maynard was born in Pennsylvania in 1868. An odd fact is that Maynard was sometimes listed as May or Mae and as a female in the census! Eventually the Bests moved to Monrovia around 1907, although the impetus for the move is not known. As of 1908, Maynard was working with Herbert J. Evans in the real estate firm, Best & Evans, with an office at 611 S. Myrtle Avenue. Maynard became ill and passed away in 1911. His wife lived in the house until 1919.
Jim and Pam bought the home in 1986 and are the fifth owners. They restored the home over the years and it is a beautiful example of a Craftsman home.
Best family grave at Live Oak Cemetery on the corner of Duarte Ave and California. Oh, and that grave? Many of the Bests are buried at Live Oak and they have a large grave marker with the name Best visible as you drive past on Duarte Road.
And now you know about the Best House and Best Grave in Monrovia!
Many thanks to Pam Barkas for her work on the history of 231 N. Myrtle and the photograph of the home.
If you want to know more about Monrovia’s historic homes – you could Google it –but we suggest you visit the Monrovia Historical Museum. We have a fantastic exhibit completed in 2025 featuring the historic architecture that makes Monrovia the special place it is. The exhibit even features a large-scale Craftsman home façade and an interactive touchscreen monitor and map showing the locations of Monrovia’s landmarked homes. The museum, located at 742 E. Lemon in Recreation Park, is open Thursdays and Sundays from 1-4 and docents are on hand to inform and delight! The “best” part? Admission is free!
And now you know about the Best House and Best Grave in Monrovia!
Many thanks to Pam Barkas for her work on the history of 231 N. Myrtle and the photograph of the home.
If you want to know more about Monrovia’s historic homes – you could Google it –but we suggest you visit the Monrovia Historical Museum. We have a fantastic exhibit completed in 2025 featuring the historic architecture that makes Monrovia the special place it is. The exhibit even features a large-scale Craftsman home façade and an interactive touchscreen monitor and map showing the locations of Monrovia’s landmarked homes. The museum, located at 742 E. Lemon in Recreation Park, is open Thursdays and Sundays from 1-4 and docents are on hand to inform and delight! The “best” part? Admission is free!
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