By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

A time capsule that was buried 30 years ago and due to be unearthed on Saturday has gone missing.

According to Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, the time capsule was thought to be buried in 1993 on the grounds of the Montrose Library. However, after making several attempts to locate the capsule in the location where it was thought to be buried it has yet to be found. Consequently, an unearthing ceremony, scheduled for March 18, has been postponed.

Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, working with the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce, now has a mystery to solve. According to a release by Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, the time capsule was buried at the Montrose Library on March 6, 1993 by Glendale Unified students, members of the Montrose Chamber of Commerce and local dignitaries. It included winning essays from 12 GUSD students, ephemera from local businesses and proclamations from Congressman Carlos Moorhead, State Senator Newton Russell, State Assemblyman Bill Hoge, LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Glendale Mayor Carl Raggio.

Originally thought to be buried in the garden in front of the library and marked by a plaque on the retaining wall, the capsule seems to have gone missing after attempts to locate it have been fruitless. According to Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, Library Branch Supervisor Isis Santos was not aware the time capsule was buried on the grounds until patrons who had noticed the small plaque came in asking when it would be opened. Santos had been working with the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce to plan an unearthing event on March 18, utilizing GUSD records and social media to contact the original students who added to the box in 1993. In preparation for the event, she had asked Glendale Parks Dept. to come out to the branch to locate the box so that they knew exactly where to dig when the community was in attendance. Even though the Chamber has photos from the original burying of the capsule, nothing has been found there or in the vicinity of the original spot.

“It seems to have vanished,” said Santos. “It is possible it was moved by an unknowing worker on the property over the years. It seems unlikely someone would dig it up to take it.”

One longtime former resident suggested the time capsule is located in the wall behind the plaque.

“The confusion may lie in the use of the word ‘buried,’” he said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean ‘in the ground.’”

Anyone who has any information on where the missing time capsule may have gone can contact the library at montroselibrary@glendaleca.gov.  

Maryl Fleisher contributed to this story