Altadena Heritage is a nonprofit volunteer-based advocacy organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and raising awareness of our foothill community’s rich architectural, environmental, and cultural heritage.
Upcoming Events
Improving on Nature: Altadena’s Plant-Exploring Popenoes and the West India Gardens
June 15 at 7:00pm
Altadena Community Center
Michele Zack–writer, historian, and recent Alan Jutzi Fellow at The Huntington Library–will present an illustrated talk on the plant-exploring Popenoe family, who in the early 20th century introduced many subtropical fruits to California. The Fuerte Avocado, sourced in Mexico and first grafted and cultivated in Altadena at Frederick O. Popenoe’s West India Garden, was the industry standard until being eclipsed by the Hass. Zack will touch on the next generation of Popenoes, whose continuing quest to improve on nature led to questionable careers in eugenics and the invention of marriage counseling.
Ongoing Preservation
HISTORIC HIGHLANDS
The application for creating LA County’s first historic district here in Altadena (Historic Highlands) is still under consideration. Last month, we reached out to our readers regarding this issue being considered by the Altadena Town Council. The residents that requested the designation worked with the County staff for about two years to meet all of the requirements for such a designation, including approval by over 50% of the property owners within the proposed boundary. While not a requirement of the application, the applicants requested that the Altadena Town Council review the application and offer support to the Board of Supervisors.
Unfortunately, there was confusion at the Land-Use Committee, so no recommendation was made. There seems to be significant concern that the residents may not fully understand the significance of being in such a district. When the Town Council reviewed the proposal and comments from the Land-Use Committee, they expressed that additional public outreach should be conducted before final consideration by the Board of Supervisors.
Altadena Heritage Feature
The Importance of Trees
Learn to Select, Plant, and Care for Trees
Altadena Heritage Recent Events
The 2023 Golden Poppy Awards and Garden Party
We invite you to join your fellow Altadena Heritage members to celebrate the…
Golden Poppy Garden Bike Tour
May 28th at 9am. Meet in Triangle Park. We are hosting a third community…
Join Us For a Drink
Meet People in Your Altadena CommunityDear New Altadena Resident, If you would like to...
Preservation Meeting Jan 2023
A County Regional Planning hearing on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 will be held to consider…
Altadena Heritage Newsletters Online

Wildlife Issue
Fall/Winter 2022

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Spring Summer 2022

Sustainability Issue
Fall Winter 2021
