Inajaran Homes
Historic Homes, Inarajan Architectural Historic District
Inarajan is one of two historic districts on Guam, the other is Hagatna. Both historic districts were listed in the National Register of Historic Sites in 1974. Inarajan is the last existing village on the island that retains the scale and character of villages as they existed in pre-war Guam. Many of the homes were built in the early 1900’s and before World War II. The narrow streets, closely packed lots and houses using architectural motifs popular in those years, still give a sense of the living style once common in all the villages on island. The vernacular style used here includes massive outside stairs, semi-subterranean storage areas called bodegas, pitch roofs, Ifit wood (local hardwood) flooring and framing and other details in common. They are, without a doubt, some of the oldest structures in continued use. It is the intention of the GPT to stabilize the structures to maintain the historic character of the old village and to ensure that homes remain habitable as well. If these homes are sound, then the owners will continue to live in them and maintain them. Many of the homes have deteriorated because the owners have built new concrete homes and have moved on to other dwellings. 8 homes were rehabilitated in 1997 and 1998.