Pioneer Memories: Wynn Norton and Mrs. Seright

For the past few weeks I’ve been quoting a 1938 newspaper article that recounted the memories of the earliest residents ofLa Crescenta and La Cañada. These eyewitness accounts of what life was like here are fascinating. I quote from the article, but I’ve inserted my own comments in brackets [ ].

I’ve got two different people here, and the first up is realtor Wynn Norton:

“I recall Foothill Boulevard when it was known as Michigan Avenue.” [The original name of Foothill was indeed Michigan Avenue. When Lanterman and Williams first purchased the entire valley, they laid out a line right down the center, which quickly became the main road, and named it Michigan Avenue for their home state of Michigan. It was renamed Foothill in 1930.]

“I recall Michigan Avenue when it had the appearance of a country lane. Foothill Boulevard, when completed, will extend from San Bernardino to San Francisco, Oakland and the bay district. [Not exactly sure what he means here, but I’m assuming he’s referring to the fact that in 1935, Foothill was deemed State Highway 118. It provided a connection between Route 66 in Pasadena, and Highway 101 in Oxnard, which of course took travelers to San Francisco. Highway 118 became the Ronald Reagan Freeway into Simi Valley.]

“I recall Foothill Boulevard in La Canada and Flintridge area when the majority of its business houses were vacant and in need of repair. Today the buildings are all rented and there are a number of large organizations making inquiries for site upon which to build. [Although we think of La Cañada as a wealthy neighborhood, it was not always that way. La Cañada was, up until the 1940s, a rural community. Flintridge, developed in the 1920s, was wealthy, but it was isolated from La Cañada.]

“I recall the dedication of the road extending across to Palmdale and the desert. Within a very short time this will be a reality enabling the citizens of Los Angeles County to visit the desert on a beautiful scenic highway and at a saving of many miles from the present road. [Angeles Crest Highway was dedicated and begun in 1929. Soon after, the “Palmdale Cutoff” or Angeles Forest Highway began construction and reached Palmdale in 1941. Angeles Crest Highway was not completed until 1956.]

“I recall when it was deemed dangerous to drive to Mt. Wilson. Now it is a mere after-dinner jaunt. In fact, people think nothing of driving up and taking their guests to Mt. Wilson or Opid’s Resort camp for their evening dinner.” [Mt. Wilson, besides its famous telescopes, also had a very nice hotel, where one could have dinner. Opid’s Camp, one of early San Gabriel Mountains resorts, also offered dinner. It was down in a canyon below the backside of Mt. Wilson.]

In 1938, we were just coming out of the Great Depression. Norton’s view was that great things are about to happen. You better buy into the community now, as this community will soon be prosperous. Wynn Norton talks like a realtor, because he was one.

Next is the memory of an early La Canada resident, Mrs. Wilbur Seright. She seemed shocked on her arrival in 1912 by the wildness of the place, and although she starts out calling the place beautiful, her memories take a darker turn:

“La Canada Valley as seen through the eyes of a bride from the middle-west 26 years ago was beautiful. Its unfamiliar palm and olive trees, orange groves and vineyards added much to the scenery. Foothill Boulevard was just opened and it was some time before another street was paved. So dusty in dry weather and slippery in wet. Too many rattlers, kangaroo rats, gophers, ground squirrels, lizards and horned toads. Too much wind and too low temperatures before the first year passed. The sunshine so bright and the darkness so black. No streetlights. [Although Mrs. Seright seems put off by the harshness of her new home, she had good things to say about the people.]

“The people so friendly, with friendships made, then continuing throughout the years.”

That’s still true of our community.