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History of Garfield Heights by Renee Pierson
As you gaze north anywhere in the city of Pasadena the most striking view is that of the San Gabriel mountains. Most of the year this impressive scene is noticeable as long as smog hasn’t obscured the picture. Perhaps it was this panoramic view that caused those early adventurers from east of the Rockies to want to settle here and call this once open space “home.” Some came with dreams of fortune and fame. These early settlers and founding fathers experienced a different
Pasadena than what we know today. However, we in the twenty-first century have benefited greatly from the rich heritage they left to us, their posterity.
Long before the establishment of the city of Pasadena, the Gabrielino people and later Spanish and Mexican settlers called this region home. The Spanish colonists were mainly missionaries and much of the land fell into the possession of the missions. When the Mexican government took control of the mission land, parcels were granted to loyal soldiers and farmers, thus leaving the Indians landless, and homeless. Many of them found work on the ranches which were scattered throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Some of the indigenous people utterly refused to succumb to the encroachment of newcomers. They broke off into smaller tribes to live in the surrounding areas away from the invaders. The last known local tribe lived in Indian Flat (now called Linda Vista), a short distance west of Garfield Heights near to the canyon. It is alleged that some were there as late as 1884.
Between 1879 and 1881 two Iowa farmers, John H. Painter and Benjamin F. Ball came to Pasadena. In reality, they were from Ohio and had migrated to Iowa in the 1860’s before finally relocating their families to Pasadena. They had initially sought to purchase approximately 500 acres in North Pasadena. The land they were interested in belonged to a Henry Monk of New York. The property had sat idle once Mr. Monk was informed by a well meaning friend that it was of little use. Seeing little reason to hold onto it, he decided to rid himself of the entire 2000 acres. Rather than let the land fall into the hands of the growing competition, Painter and Ball purchased all 2000 acres in 1881 for $30,000.00. From that point on the tract became known as the Painter/Ball tract.
Garfield Heights is a small fragment of the original acreage which was bound by Woodbury, Arroyo, Lake and Villa. It is located in Northwest Pasadena and known as Block R. By 1893 some of the known streets in Garfield Heights were Marengo, Washington, Claremont, Douglas, Los Robles, Van Wyck and Adena. In 1904, Block R was named Garfield Heights and was annexed by the city of Pasadena. Many of the homes in the area were built during the boom years between the late 1880’s and the 1920’s. While some were built by notable builders and architects, the vast majority were not. Nonetheless, each one reflects a sense of charm and grace which is difficult to find in a modern home.
Today, most of those old homes remain intact. They stand as a reminder of the heritage left to us by folks like Henry Monk, John Painter and Benjamin Ball. While little remains of the Native Americans history who once roamed these former chaparral covered lands, every proceeding generation and ethnic group are forever indebted to them.
Pasadena than what we know today. However, we in the twenty-first century have benefited greatly from the rich heritage they left to us, their posterity.
Long before the establishment of the city of Pasadena, the Gabrielino people and later Spanish and Mexican settlers called this region home. The Spanish colonists were mainly missionaries and much of the land fell into the possession of the missions. When the Mexican government took control of the mission land, parcels were granted to loyal soldiers and farmers, thus leaving the Indians landless, and homeless. Many of them found work on the ranches which were scattered throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Some of the indigenous people utterly refused to succumb to the encroachment of newcomers. They broke off into smaller tribes to live in the surrounding areas away from the invaders. The last known local tribe lived in Indian Flat (now called Linda Vista), a short distance west of Garfield Heights near to the canyon. It is alleged that some were there as late as 1884.
Between 1879 and 1881 two Iowa farmers, John H. Painter and Benjamin F. Ball came to Pasadena. In reality, they were from Ohio and had migrated to Iowa in the 1860’s before finally relocating their families to Pasadena. They had initially sought to purchase approximately 500 acres in North Pasadena. The land they were interested in belonged to a Henry Monk of New York. The property had sat idle once Mr. Monk was informed by a well meaning friend that it was of little use. Seeing little reason to hold onto it, he decided to rid himself of the entire 2000 acres. Rather than let the land fall into the hands of the growing competition, Painter and Ball purchased all 2000 acres in 1881 for $30,000.00. From that point on the tract became known as the Painter/Ball tract.
Garfield Heights is a small fragment of the original acreage which was bound by Woodbury, Arroyo, Lake and Villa. It is located in Northwest Pasadena and known as Block R. By 1893 some of the known streets in Garfield Heights were Marengo, Washington, Claremont, Douglas, Los Robles, Van Wyck and Adena. In 1904, Block R was named Garfield Heights and was annexed by the city of Pasadena. Many of the homes in the area were built during the boom years between the late 1880’s and the 1920’s. While some were built by notable builders and architects, the vast majority were not. Nonetheless, each one reflects a sense of charm and grace which is difficult to find in a modern home.
Today, most of those old homes remain intact. They stand as a reminder of the heritage left to us by folks like Henry Monk, John Painter and Benjamin Ball. While little remains of the Native Americans history who once roamed these former chaparral covered lands, every proceeding generation and ethnic group are forever indebted to them.