by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Historical Society's next outing will be Sun., Oct. 23, as it hosts a walking tour of the 900 block of Mariposa St.. east of Lake to Maiden Lane.
It includes a docent-led tour of this magnificent, fully-restored craftsman house, pictured in the photo as it appeared in 1913:
The architect is unknown, however, based on some similarities in the design, there is speculation that it may have been designed by one of the numerous architects who apprenticed under Charles and Henry Greene -- perhaps Buchanan and Brockway. The block was home to some of Altadena’s wealthiest and most influential families, including the fabulously rich Altadena Green and her polo-playing husband Robert Neustadt, socialite Effie Neustadt, Dr. and Mrs. Fred Markham and historian Sara Noble Ives. Architecturally, the houses range from a modest cottage designed by Charles and Henry Greene, to a country estate attributed to Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, to a long lost Wallace Neff house. These houses, along with stories, a little gossip, and a scandalous mystery about a copycat Lindbergh-style kidnapping scheme will be featured on the tour.
Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members and $25 at the door the day of the event. You can also buy tickets on-line:
http://altadenahistoricalsocietytour.eventbrite.com/
Or from AHS at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday from 9 AM to noon, or call us to find out how to send a check: 626-797-8016
The historical society is also raffling a great Altadena-themed painting:
Old-time rural Altadena isn't hard to find. Just drive west on Altadena Drive until you get to Lincoln Avenue. That’s where you’ll find George’s Liquor, replete with loitering dogs and horses tied up outside. Donated by artist Marv Wegner , the painting will be raffled off at the Altadena Historical Society East Mariposa Street history tour. But you can get raffle tickets tomorrow night at Webster’s Food Truck Friday!
Tickets to the tour and the raffle are also being sold at the Webster's Fancy Food Truck Friday event tonight, and tomorrow night at the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's final summer concert at Farnsworth Park.
To find out more about AHS visit us on the web at www.altadenahistoricalsociety.org or call 626-797-8016 or email us: altadenahistoricalsociety@yahoo.com
