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.
Patron Event

Patron Event

by | Oct 30, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Patrons+ Appreciation EventNovember 9, 2025 from 3 to 5pm Join fellow Patrons, Heritage Heroes and Altadena Angels to query board members and hear about our upcoming programs. Enjoy ice cream sundaes (non-dairy too) with all your favorite toppings. Indulge in sweet...

Altadena Heritage Holiday Gathering

Altadena Heritage Holiday Gathering

by | Oct 29, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Join us as we celebrate the Holiday Season & 90th Anniversary of the Altadena Historical Society. Michele Zack will be present to sign newly released commemorative editions of her book Altadena Between Wilderness and City. Members, please RSVP before Dec 1st....

Altadena Revealed

Altadena Revealed

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

This lecture will explore an essential layer of Altadena's rich and historic human diversity: its troublemakers. What can they teach us about the meaning of this place, and to what degree are they worth remembering? Subjects include Zeke the Compost Sheik, Paul Little...