Altadena Anthology
Altadena was opened as a subdivision in late 1887 by John and Fred Woodbury from Marshalltown, Iowa. The Woodburys envisioned a millionaires’ rural suburb north of busy Pasadena, hoping to add to the wealthy class already gathering here, including Col. Charles Greene and Andrew McNally. Their timing was off, the real estate bubble burst in 1888, and the region was thrown into an economic panic that grew worse as it merged into a great national depression lasting through much of the 1890s. A bright spot in this period was the development of Thaddeus Lowe’s elegant mountain railway, which created a connection from Los Angeles though Pasadena and up to Altadena and beyond, to the many hotels and camps in the mountains. There, temperance was not an issue.
Sunday, September 17th Save the Date

Sunday, September 17th Save the Date

Sunday, September 17th Save the DateMountain View Mausoleum 1923 - 2023 On Sunday, September 17th 2023, from 4:00 - 7:30 pmAltadena Heritage is throwing a birthday bash for Altadena’s most beautiful building. 1920s music by Marquis and his Hollywood Howlers Famous...

Letter from the Chair

Letter from the Chair

This issue of our magazine focuses on land use and housing. Land use is key to quality of life. It is also extremely complex. Zoning laws and regulations are often beyond the comprehension of the average resident. The prospective sale…

The ADU Story

The ADU Story

In 2003 California’s state legislature passed AB 1866 amending “sections of the Government code to encourage the creation of second units…” The intent of the bill reads: “The Legislature finds and declares that second units…

Racial Change Over Time

Racial Change Over Time

Just as a pencil line drawn on a map of California in the 1850’s influenced the future of where Lake Avenue would be built — another pencil line drawn from the 1930s-60s denied or limited financial services, such as home loans…

We’re All Going to Die!

We’re All Going to Die!

By Claire Smith It’s true, the inevitable will arrive for us all! So consider your heirs. To be in grief and not have any direction on where to start to settle a deceased family member’s affairs can be crippling. Think of your legacy, what can…