Nov 3, 2012 · 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.

What stories do these 58 old maps tell about Altadena's past? From 1894 to present day, these maps reveal the evolution of streets, neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and natural features in stunning high-res detail.

Altadena is the northernmost portion of Rancho San Pascual as established by the Mexican Government in 1826 after they had claimed independence from Spain. California was annexed in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 and became a state in 1850. The Mexican Ranchos were then open to settlement from other parts of the Country.

Nine hundred and seventeen acres of the Highlands were formed into a subdivision named Altadena, launched in 1887 at the moment boom turned to bust. Its timing was off. Developers John and Frederick Woodbury acquired it for $5 an acre in 1882, but didn’t invest to connect to Pasadena’s rail lines and to develop water sources until 1885.

Jan 11, 2025 · Built in 1882, the house is the oldest remaining residence in Altadena and one of the few remaining grand mansions built during the boom of the 1880s, when the Woodbury brothers envisioned Altadena as a community of grand estates.

Thanks to our collection of over 75 historical and current phone directories for the Altadena area, you can trace inhabitants back to 1911. Some directories in this rare collection include not only the names of residents but occupations as well.

The Altadena Historical Society (AHS) was founded in 1935. As a 501(c)3 organization, we gather, preserve, and share print and digital information about the people, places, and events that have shaped the Altadena community.

Altadena had only a couple hundred residents in 1900. Most were farmers, whose vineyards gradually gave way to citrus, which requires less fabor Residential use increased as people continued moving to Southern Califomia for health, climate, and to pursue what became known as the California Dream.

Images, documents, and other information about Mount Lowe, Owen and Jason Brown, cabin life in the old Arroyo Seco of a century ago, maps of historic hiking trails above Altadena, restoration efforts at the Rubio Canyon wash, and more.

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.