A Civic Story in Altadena California
Saving Owen Brown’s Gravesite
Owen Brown (long beard) with brother Jason at mountain homestead above Altadena, 1880s
Saving Owne Brown’s Gravesite
Owen Brown (long beard) with brother Jason at mountain homestead above Altadena, 1880s
Archival Gravesite News
Click any article to read
Los Angeles Herald - January 30th 1898
Star News - 1940
For fifty years the gravesite was maintained by a local, Edward Simmons, who attended the funeral as a boy.
When Edward Simmons passed away the site fell into disrepair, and the area became popular with off-road motor-cyclists. The grave was vandalized on more than one occasion, with the stone being rolled down the hillside.
Mid 1970s
In the mid-1970s, the United States Forest Service restored the gravesite —but placed the gravestone about 15 feet from its correct location. They added a square concrete collar for protection and built a low wooden fence around it to discourage vandalism.
Archival Gravesite News
Los Angeles Herald January 30th 1898
Star News 1940
For fifty years the gravesite was maintained by a local, Edward Simmons, who attended the funeral as a boy.
When Edward Simmons passed away the site fell into disrepair, and the area became popular with off-road motor-cyclists. The grave was vandalized on more than one occasion, with the stone being rolled down the hillside.
Mid 1970s
“In the mid-1970s, the United States Forest Service restored the gravesite —but placed the gravestone about 15 feet from its correct location. They added a square concrete collar for protection and built a low wooden fence around it to discourage vandalism.
100 Years Later
Gravesite Under Threat, 1989
Gravesite Under Threat 1989
To Historical Landmarks and Records Commission County of Los Angeles
Please find enclosed our completed application for a Point of Historical Interest status for the Owen Brown Gravesite. We have also today forwarded to the State Historic Resources Board a completed Application for Registration of an Historical Landmark and a National Register of Historic Places Registration Form.
Because the owner of the site is threatening to remove the grave, we wish to deterrnine landmark eligibility as soon as possible.
Thank You
1989 Historic Designation Advocates
1989 Historic Designation Advocates
Along with Altadena Heritage, Adelene Ruth Craig and Eleanor Blangsted, great-great granddaughters of John Brown, advocated for preservation of his gravesite.
Designation Denied
by State and County!
STATE CALIFORNIA —THE RESOURCES AGENCY
May 9, 1991 – Dear Mr. Monteilh: The State Historical Resources Commission, sitting in regular session in Sacramento on May 3, 1991, considered the application for registration of the Gravesite of Owen Brown, Altadena, Los Angeles County, as a California Point of Historical Interest. I regret to inform you that the Commission did not recommend registration. The point criteria states that an individual must have had a profound influence on the history of the local area . The primary emphasis shall be the site or sites of achievement of an individual, not his birthplace, death place or gravesite.
Thank you very much for your continued interest in our Point of Historical Interest program.
Public Access Lawsuit Prevails!
In 2006, community members gathered on Little Round Top to celebrate MLK Day and Save the Altadena Trails (STAT’s) winning lawsuit against property owners who blocked the trail to the gravesite. Public access to it was thus protected. The gravestone had been missing since 2002 — presumably removed by vandals and not yet recovered. STAT considered placing a new marker/memorial on Owen’s gravesite so his story wouldn’t be forgotten.
Public Access
Lawsuit Prevails!
Gravestone Recovered and a Replica is Made
Gravestone Recovered
and a Replica is Made
Altadena Town Council
Committee puts Restoration on Track
A committee of the Altadena Town Council forms to consider “give back” to the community in exchange for permission to build 18 new homes in the La Vina housing development, located immediately southeast of Owen Brown’s gravesite. After considering many options, the committee comes up with a “Parity Plan” in which the developer agrees to purchase the gravesite, place it in a land conservancy, and provide funds for public education. The Altadena Town Council approves the plan. Ian White agrees to relinquish the gravestone, so that it may be put back on Little Round Top. Pictured: Michele Zack, committee member, Ian White, Developer Tim Cantwell, and Dr Sandy Thomas, Altadena Town Council.
Altadena Town Council
Committee puts Restoration
on Track
LA County Board of Supervisors passes motion for “Parity Plan.”
In 2019, the Supervisors vote to allow Cantwell Anderson to build 18 new homes, after it meets many conditions. Among these is the “Parity Plan” to restore Owen Brown’s gravesite. This calls for the formation of a new Committee overseeing that provisions are met — with representatives from Altadena Town Council, Altadena Heritage, the trails community, and the Meadows neighborhood in which the gravesite is located. Pictured: Marietta Kruells, committee member, Tim Cantwell, developer, Michele Zack, committee member, and Sussy Nemer, Chief Deputy to Kathryn Barger, who helped coordinate among the parties.
Triumphant Return of Gravestone to Little Round Top
Plaque Memorializing Owen Brown
Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Developer Tim Cantwell of Cantwell Anderson unveil plaque memorializing Owen Brown at Mountain View Mausoleum November 4, 2022.
Plaque Memorializing
Owen Brown
Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Developer Tim Cantwell of Cantwell Anderson unveil plaque memorializing Owen Brown at Mountain View Mausoleum November 4, 2022.
Committee members (left to right) Marietta Kruells, John Burton, Michele Zack, and Diane Marcussen with Kathryn Barger, along with Committee Partners: Developer Tim Cantwell, Project Historian Dr. Bill Deverell, and site consultant Paul Ayers.
Major Horatio N. Rust
Presentation of the historic figure.
