the ALtADeNA QuILt
By PeBBla Wallace
On January 7, 2025, the beautiful community of Altadena became the victim of the horrendous Eaton wildfire that destroyed over 14,000 acres, and over 10,000 structures. It killed 17 people (as of March 7th, 14 people were still missing), becoming one of the deadliest fires in California history. This newsletter is dedicated to the people, places, and community of Altadena, and the reason why it is historically significant as one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Los Angeles County.
AltAdenA’s Beginnings –the greAt MigrAtion
Before Spanish settlers arrived, Altadena was home to the Hahamongna (Tongva) Indigenous people. In late 1887, brothers John and Fred Woodbury established Altadena as a subdivision, envisioning it as a retreat for the wealthy seeking refuge from the violence of big city Los Angeles. However, one of Altadena’s most significant historical roles emerged during California’s Great Migration.
The Great Migration, spanning from 1910 to 1970, was the largest mass exodus in U.S. history. During this period, approximately six million African Americans from the South moved to the North,
Andrew Jackson School, 1960 – Courtesy of the Altadena Historical Society
MeSSAGe FroM THe eDITor:
Welcome to our Spring 2025 Newsletter!
First, I want to extend our heartfelt empathy to everyone affected by the fires. This year’s first newsletter — typically released in January — was delayed due to our Board’s decision to focus on a story that felt especially urgent and meaningful. The Eaton Fire in the Altadena/Pasadena area uncovered a deeper narrative that we felt needed to be told. The History of Altadena is not only significant to its community, but also vital to the Los Angeles City Historical Society. It reflects a powerful story of resilience, unity, and shared identity.
Second, we recognize that the fires across Los Angeles have impacted countless families and communities. For many of those affected, history may not feel like a pressing concern right now. However, we believe in its ability to ground and connect us to the city we love. To honor those affected, the Los Angeles City Historical Society is offering one year of free membership to anyone impacted by the fires — no questions asked. This is an open invitation to join our community. Simply visit our website, navigate to the membership page, and select the “Honor System Membership” option.
On a lighter note, our November events in 2024 brought exciting opportunities for exploration and connection. We toured the restored Clinton’s Cafeteria on Broadway with owner Andrew Meieran, and Michael Holland, the Los Angeles City Archivist, guided us through a rare exploration of the City Archives.
Looking ahead, we’ve got an exciting lineup of events this spring and summer: the Marie Northrop Lecture Series - June 8 at the Los Angeles Central Library downtown. Upcoming Webinars: May 15, 2025: The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angels by Authors Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans; June 11, 2025: award-winning author and historian Colleen Adair Fliedner will present Ghosts, a Curse, and Attempted Murder: The History of Griffith Park.
On April 26-27, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - For the first time, the Los Angeles City Historical Society will host a booth at the festival! Stop by to say hello and explore our rich history. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for our Historical Society. We look forward to an enriching fall season filled with even more events and updates. Together, we’ll continue to honor and celebrate the vibrant history that shapes our city and our lives.
- pebbLA wALLACe newsletter editor, lA City historiCAl soCiety
the Midwest and out West to seek refuge from the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South, and to seek better economic opportunities. The first wave (1910–1930) laid the foundation for future migrations, but it was the second wave (1940–1970) that profoundly reshaped Los Angeles.
During World War II, Los Angeles experienced a surge in defense production, creating new job opportunities in the manufacturing sector. This economic boom attracted thousands of African Americans to the city, causing the Black population to grow from 63,000 in 1940 to 763,000 in 1970.
Altadena became a key destination for Black families seeking homeownership, community, and a reprieve from racial discrimination in other parts of Los Angeles. Their contributions played a vital role in shaping the region’s cultural and social landscape.
AltAdenA’s signifiCAnCe for AfriCAn AMeriCAns
Although Jim Crow type laws did not exist in California as explicitly and as harshly as they did in the South, systemic discrimination shaping housing policies and social practices did exist. In many neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and throughout our country, African Americans faced redlining and restrictive racial covenants—two widespread methods of racial exclusion.
Redlining was a real estate practice that designated certain neighborhoods as “high-risk” based on race or ethnicity, leading to loan denials that prevented African Americans and other marginalized groups from purchasing property. Restrictive racial covenants were clauses in property deeds and lease agreements that barred homeowners from selling, leasing, or renting to Black families and other minorities.
Another form of discrimination, sundown laws, was enforced in neighboring cities such as Burbank, Glendale, and South Pasadena. These policies prohibited African Americans from being in those
AfriCAn AMeriCAn woMen working in An AirCrAft fACtory, el segundo, CA - 1940
cities after sunset, forcing Black workers who lived in nearby Altadena and Pasadena to leave before dark to avoid harassment, violence, or even arrest.
While a California judge ruled in 1945 that redlining and racial covenants were unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment, these discriminatory practices persisted in many areas. It wasn’t until the California Fair Housing Act of 1968 that African Americans and other ethnic groups gained legal housing protections. The legacy of sundown laws also lingered for decades—Glendale issued a formal apology in 1999, followed by Burbank in 2020 and South Pasadena in 2022.
AltAdenA: A sAnCtuAry for BlACk fAMilies
Unlike many parts of Los Angeles County, Altadena largely resisted these exclusionary practices, becoming a haven for African Americans between the 1940s and 1970s. Black families built a tightknit community that included entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals, shaping Altadena’s cultural and social identity. The area also became a magnet for artists of diverse backgrounds, drawn to its affordability, creative atmosphere, stunning mountain views, and reputation for open-mindedness.
THe alTaDeNa QUIlT
Homeownership in Altadena played a crucial role in Black wealth-building. For many African Americans, buying property here marked their first opportunity to establish generational wealth. Over time, Altadena became one of the first middle-class Black neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
As of 2024, Altadena’s African American homeownership rate stands at 81.5%—double the national average. Many families live in multigenerational households, with grandparents, parents, and children under one roof or in adjacent properties. Others have inherited homes that have been passed down through generations, preserving the community’s legacy and stability.
Altadena’s history reflects not just resilience in the face of discrimination but also the power of community and homeownership in shaping long-term prosperity.
the signifiCAnCe of AltAdenA’s diverse PoPulAtion
Altadena’s rich cultural history is shaped by generations of immigrants and migrants who sought opportunity, community, and refuge from discrimination. In the late 1880s, Chinese immigrants arrived in Altadena, working in agriculture at places like Fair Oaks Ranch, Eaton Vineyard, and Fred Woodbury Ranch. They also contributed to infrastructure development and performed domestic work, helping lay the foundation for the community’s growth. During the Great Migration, a significant Latino population settled in Altadena’s west side. Like African Americans, many Latinos moved to the area to escape redlining, seek affordable housing, and build strong, supportive communities. Between 1960 and 1970, both Chinese and Japanese Americans established a growing presence in Altadena, opening businesses and enriching the community’s cultural landscape.
Altadena’s diversity has long been its strength, weaving together a tapestry of cultures, traditions, art, and music. Today, the community remains home to a
thriving mix of Black, Latino, White, and Asian communities, reflected in its diverse places of worship—including 24 Christian churches, one Muslim mosque, two Jewish synagogues, and one Buddhist temple.
With a population of over 42,000, Altadena stands as a symbol of what a truly inclusive and multicultural community can be.
the historiCAl signifiCAnCe of the eAton fires to BlACk AltAdenAns
For many Black families in Altadena, history is deeply personal—it is a link to identity, resilience, and progress. Many early African American settlers arrived in Altadena either after the end of slavery or during the Jim Crow era, often with little record of their family’s past due to the devastating impact of slavery on Black family structures. Because of this, historical artifacts— photos, heirlooms, and documents—became invaluable, serving as tangible connections to ancestors who endured immense hardships while contributing to Altadena’s growth. When the Eaton fires destroyed homes, Black Altadenans didn’t just lose property; they lost irreplaceable pieces of their history. The fires erased treasured family records that had survived slavery and segregation, making their loss even more profound.
ContrIButors
to AltAdenA’s fABrIC
Many people may know about Altadena’s prominent celebrity figures that lived in Altadena at one time or another including actor Sidney Poitier, Baseball player Jackie Robinson, and fiction writer Octavia Butler – just to name a few. But the history of Altadena began long before those arrivals. The following trailblazers (along with a list too long to include) helped shape Altadena into the culturally diverse community that it is
today.
the PrinCe fAMily - Samuel Prince moved from Tennessee to California in 1884. After establishing himself financially, he sent for his sons William and Frank. Although William and Frank Prince lived in adjacent Pasadena, they contributed significantly to the business landscape in Altadena. They established one of the first Black-owned businesses – the Prince Brothers Feed and Fuel, and were involved in various businesses that helped employ and shape the early economic growth of Altadena and adjacent areas.
owen Brown - Owen Brown was the son of John Brown – the famous abolitionist who led the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 (along with his son Owen). Owen later escaped, living as a fugitive for two decades. In 1881, he moved to California, homesteading in an area of Altadena called “Little Round Top”, where Owen is buried today. He became a local c elebrity due to his involvement in the abolitionist movement and his belief in racial equality. Owen’s presence and his family’s homesteading efforts contributed to the early development of the area and left a lasting impact on the community.
roBert owens – Born into slavery in 1806 in Texas, Robert later convinced his slave owner to hire him out locally with all income split between them. This arrangement allowed him to buy his freedom at the age of 47. He later collected enough money to buy the freedom of his wife Winnie and their children. The family eventually settled in an area above Altadena that is today called El Prieto Canyon. He first became wealthy by winning government contacts with the Military by suppling cut wood, mules, and cattle and then became one of the most prosperous business owners in Los Angeles County in the late 1860s through various business ventures and by developing property.
NOTE: Many people may also recognize the Owens’ name as the person who alerted Biddy Mason about California’s free status and helped her gain freedom through the court system. Robert’s son Charles married Biddy’s daughter, Ellen, which helped to solidify the wealth of these two families. (Read more about Biddy and Owen on our LACHS blog at this link (Biddy Mason).
sAMuel PrinCe, 1890 – PuBliC doMAin
owen Brown, 1882 – PuBliC doMAin
seABorn B. CArr – Seaborn moved from Georgia to California in the late 19th Century. Although he lived in neighboring Pasadena, he was a significant figure in the history of both Altadena and Pasadena. Both Seaborn and Joseph Holmes played significant roles in the establishment of Pasadena Enterprise newspaper in 1904. It was the first African American newspaper in the Pasadena and covered various events and relevant issues for African American in Altadena and Pasadena (the paper closed sometime in the 1920s). He also played a significant role in the community as a civil rights leader.
tAkeo And fuMiko yuge - the Yuges were significant to the history of Altadena. In 1927, Takeo began working with his uncle for the Scripps family as a caretaker of their estate in Altadena. After marrying, Takeo and his wife Fumiko lived on the Scripps estate in Altadena, where he continued to care for the grounds. During World War II, the Yuge family were sent to a Japanese internment camp. After the war, William Scripps Kellogg located the Yuges and asked them to return to the Altadena estate, where he had saved all their belongings. Williams promised the family they could remain on the property as long as Takeo and Fumiko were alive. His family continued to live on the property until 2014 when Fumiko died (Takeo died in 1987). They both contributed to the cultural and social fabric of Altadena.
ChArles w. white – Born in 1918 in Chicago Illinois, Charles was an American artist known for chronicling African American subjects in painting, drawings and lithographs. His art depicted the struggles and triumphs of African Americans. When he was 7 years old his mother bought him his first paint set, which hooked him from there on. He left high school after being disillusioned by the educational system. He was offered several art scholarships – only to be withdrawn after learning Charles was Black. He eventually received a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago. Later he taught at various educational institutions including Washington Carver School in New York, and Howard University. He moved to Altadena in 1959 and taught at the Otis Art Institute in Los An-
geles. His art work would be well known and displayed in renowned art museums and institutions throughout the United States. In 1978 he completed a mural called Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune–Last Will and Testament at the Mary McLeod Bethune Public Library in Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Following his death in 1979, the Charles White Park in Altadena was dedicated in his honor.
ellen gArrison ClArk - Ellen made a lasting impact in the Altadena and Pasadena area through her dedication to civil rights and education. Ellen was born free on April 14, 1823 in Massachusetts. During the Civil War, she taught at a private school in Rhode Island. She also joined the American Missionary Association (AMA) – a group devoted to the abolition of slavery, education and racial equality. After the Civil war, she moved from city to city with the AMA educating newly freed slaves on how to read the write. She also taught in Freedmen Bureau schools throughout the South where she faced great hostilities. Ellen states in one of her letters, “It is only occasionally that I have been beaten and stoned in the streets”. Around the 1870s, she began working with various Quaker organizations to continue her teaching of African Americans.
But one of the incidents Ellen is best known for was in 1866, when she and her Black colleagues were forcibly removed from a waiting room at
ChArles w. white – PuBliC doMAin
a train station in Port Deposit, Maryland, after refusing to leave a “Whites Only” area. The Civil Rights Act Bill of 1866 had just been passed several months prior (granting African American citizens the same rights as white citizens), and Ellen was testing the bill. Ellen and her colleagues filed legal suit in court against the train station – but it was dismissed by a grand jury.
Around 1890 Ellen contracted tuberculosis and moved to Pasadena with her second husband seeking a better climate. After moving she continued her lifelong commitment to advocating for racial equality, teaching African American’s migrating from the south, and promoted civil right in both Pasadena and Altadena. Ellen died on December 21, 1892. She was originally buried in an unmarked grave at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, but later on June 19, 2021, the Altadena community honored her with a memorial headstone.
ellen gArrison ClArk – PuBliC doMAin
Eaton Canyon Stables
eaToN Fire eaToN Fire
here Are Also 17 AltAdenAns who were Also iMPortAnt. they MAy not hAve Been PolitiCiAns, Artist, or even CeleBrities, But were nevertheless iMPortAnt in MAking AltAdenA the CoMMunity it is todAy.
1. viCtor shAw (66) – Victor drove a bloodmobile and made deliveries. He tried to save his home, and the home his parents had lived in for 55 years before they passed.
2. roDNey NiCkersoN (83) – Rodney worked for Lockheed Martin for 45 years as an engineer and lived in his Altadena home since 1968. Altadena is where several generations of his family live today. He lived in Altadena for over 50 years. Rodney is the grandson of William Nickerson Jr – the founder of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance – which was one of the largest black-owned business at the time.
3. ANthoNy mitCheLL (70) & JustiN mitCheLL (30s) – Anthony was an amputee and confined to a wheelchair. His son Justin had Cerebral Palsy. Anthony was a beloved patriarch of the Mitchell family.
5. erLieNe Louise keLLey (83) – Erliene was a retired pharmacist. Everyone in the neighborhood knew her. Her late husband bought their house in Altadena in 1960.
6. DALyCe Curry (95) – Originally from Arkansas, she was affectionately referred to as Momma Dee. In the 1950s she was part of “Old Black Hollywood”, appearing in classic movies such as the Ten Commandments and the Blues Brothers.
7. kim wiNieCki (77) – She loved to write.
8. Zhi Feug ZhAo (84) – Orphaned in China, he later earned a math and engineer degree, but became a restaurateur after immigrating to the U.S. His son bought the Altadena home for him in 2003 because Zhi loved Altadena and its green environment.
9. CAroLyN burNs (56) – Unknown information
10. eDwiN CriDLAND (94) – Edwin was a retired truck driver and an avid vintage car collector.
MeMoriaM: MeMoriaM:
11. eveLyN mCCLeNDoN (59) – Evelyn held several corporate jobs before leading a quieter life in Altadena.
12. oswALD ALtmetZ (75) – Known as Ozzie by his friends, he immigrated from Germany to Altadena when he was young.
13. LorA swAyNe (71) – Unknown information
14. bArbArA Lewis (84) – Unknown information
15. pAtriCiA mCkeNNA (78) – Patricia was a Costume Shop Forman at Los Angeles City College, and was an elaborate collector of books (fashion, art and history) - constantly acquiring books and giving them away.
16. mivA wheAtLey FrieDi (86) – Originally from Costa Rica.
NOTE: On April 2, 2025 - The County Examiner’s Office investigated the remains found in Altadena. No information is available on the identity of the remains at this time.
deAr AltAdenAns (or deCedents of AltAdenAns):
we know thAt the eArly history of AltAdenA’s diverse CoMMunity is riCh And CoMPlex, And we wAnt to do it justiCe. If your AnCestors were eArly settlers or Arrived during the greAt MigrAtion, we’d love to heAr your story!
PleAse eMAil us with your fAMily’s history in AltAdenA, Along with Any Photos you’d like to shAre. your story MAy Be feAtured on our weBsite or in our next newsletter As we work to Preserve And CeleBrAte the CoMMunity’s PAst.
we look forwArd to heAring froM you!
MOUNT LOWE RAILWAY PASSENGERS ENJOYING THE ALTADENA POPPY FIELDS
boArD retreAt sets the stAge For A boLD 2025: BoArd MeMBers gAther to shAPe the soCiety’s future
Earlier this year, the volunteer board of the Los Angeles City Historical Society gathered for its annual planning retreat, laying the groundwork for an exciting year ahead.
The session marked a turning point as board members outlined new initiatives aimed at expanding the Society’s reach, from stronger digital engagement and community partnerships to the development of more public programmes and educational outreach.
The board also outlined new outreach efforts including a revamped newsletter, a new Media Team, upgraded social media campaigns, and redesigning our merchandise and website to better connect with members and the public.
“Everyone brought ideas to the table from revitalizing our scholarship program to exploring pop-up exhibits and broader collaborations,” said board
member Adam Linder.
The agenda focused on expanding signature programs like our Scholarship Fund, Awards Gala, and the Marie Northrup Lecture Series, while continuing key partnerships like LA as Subject’s Archives Bazaar.
Planning is already underway for more exclusive tours, webinars, and expanded membership engagement, with more opportunities for members to get involved than ever before.
“We’re not just honoring the past, we’re designing programs that reflect the diversity, dynamism, and depth of L.A. ‘s history and the people who care about preserving it, said Events Board Member, Danny Jensen.
As always, we are grateful to our board, volunteers, and members whose passion and support keep local history alive.
Below is Creative Director, Meridith Major, who has led the charge on a fresh new visual identity to carry LACHS into its next chapter.t
upComINg eveNts & webINArs
eveNts:
APRIL 26-27: LOS ANGELES TIMES
FESTIVAL OF BOOKS – For the first time the Los Angeles City Historical Society will be exhibitors at the “Festival of books”. Come visit us at the USC Campus at Booth No 862. See our website for additional information at https://www.lacityhistory.org/events/festival-of-books-2025
Los Angeles City Archive Tour – the date for this tour will be announced shortly. We will announce the event through email and on our website. Watch your mailbox for the date of this upcoming tour.
MArIe northroP leCture serIes
(2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.):
APRIL 6, 2025: “Also on View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles”. The first lecture series of 2025 will be a discussion with author Ted Lerew on his new book “Also on View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles”. The lecture will feature photographs by Ryan Schude. Note: If you missed this April 6 event, a video of the event is now available on our website
JUNE 6, 2025: The speaker and the subject matter for the second lecture in the 2025 Marie Northrop Lecture Series will be announced shortly. We will announce the event through email and on our website. Please mark this date on your calendar.
Both of these events will be held at the Mark Taper Auditorium at the downtown Central Library located at 630 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA.
webINArs: uPCoMing live weBinArs
MAY 15, 2025: Authors Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans will discuss their new book The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angels – which follows the lives, deaths and ultimately, the remains, of four Angelenos from the more than 1,500 individuals at risk of being “unclaimed,” meaning that upon their death, relatives or loved ones are unable or unwilling to bury them or to have their bodies cremated. Also included in the book are volunteers, community members and government workers dedicated to providing burials for unclaimed strangers, imparting a sense of dignity after death.
JUNE 11, 2025: award-winning author and historian Colleen Adair Fliedner will delve into the history and legends of Griffith Park, as well as the life of Griffith J. Griffith who had purchased Rancho Los Feliz in 1882 in her presentation of Ghosts, a Curse, and Attempted Murder: The History of Griffith Park.
PAst weBinArs AvAilABle on the lAChs weBsite now….
LA’s Campaign against the Plague Epidemic of 1924 – UCLA History PhD student Britton Gustafson, discusses how the Los Angeles Pneumonic Plague of 1924 served as the final urban plague outbreak in the U.S.; A Machine to Move Ocean and Earth: The Making of the Port of Los Angeles and America – Author James Tejani discusses how the ports of San Pedro Bay have made Los Angeles into a firstrank world city.
You can find both of the webinars on the LACHS website at www.lacityhistory.org.
LACHS OFFICERS/ BOARD MEMBERS
Los Angeles City Historical
Society Founded 1976
NEWSLETTER
Pebbla Wallace, Editor & Contributor
CONTRIBUTORS
Lilly Morcos
Newsletter Design by Meridith Major
OFFICERS
Charley Mims, President
Michael Holland, Vice President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Roberto Alaniz Jr.
Nicholas Beyelia
Bee Garcia
Danny Jensen
Adrienne Florez
Adam Linder
Meridith Major
Lilly Morcos
Moremi Okoroh
Pebbla Wallace
ADMINISTRATOR
Adam Linder
LACHS • P.O. Box 862311 • Los Angeles, CA 90086-2311
For more information, please visit:
LACITYHISTORY.ORG
Please submit any comments or questions to:
info@LACityHistory.org
