Garvanza, Los Angeles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Garvanza
Neighborhood of Los Angeles
Garvanza neighborhood sign located on York Boulevard at Figueroa Street
Garvanza Location in Los Angeles
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles
City	Los Angeles
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
Zip code	90042
Area code(s)	323

Garvanza is a cool neighborhood located in the northeast part of Los Angeles. It's known for having many important historical buildings and places. In fact, there are fourteen special spots here called Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments!

History of Garvanza: From Beans to a Bustling Neighborhood

Garvanza in 1921, showing how the area looked back then.

Garvanza started as part of a large ranch called Rancho San Rafael. This land was owned by Jose Maria Verdugo. The name "Garvanza" comes from the many fields of garbanzo beans that used to grow there.

In 1869, two people named Andrew Glassell and Alfred Beck Chapman bought the land. They later sold it to brothers Ralph and Edward Rogers, who were real estate developers. In 1886, the Rogers brothers divided the land into smaller pieces. They started selling these pieces as the "Town of Garvanza." The town officially became part of the city of Los Angeles in 1899.

How Transportation Shaped Garvanza's Growth

Garvanza got its first train service very early on. By 1902, Henry Huntington's Los Angeles Railway (LARY) served the area. By 1904, you could take a direct train from Garvanza all the way to Downtown Los Angeles.

By 1907, Huntington had made the Garvanza train line even longer. It stretched along York Boulevard and North Figueroa Street. This made it much easier for people to travel to and from Garvanza.

Important Bridges Connecting Communities

Two bridges connect Garvanza to South Pasadena. One is a railroad bridge that crosses the Arroyo Seco. It was first built from wood in 1885. It was rebuilt twice, finally becoming a steel bridge in 1896. This steel bridge is now a special historical landmark, Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 339. It was later updated for the modern light rail system.

The other bridge is the York Boulevard bridge. It crosses the Arroyo Seco Parkway. This bridge replaced an old wooden toll bridge. The old toll house from that bridge still stands on the South Pasadena side.

Garvanza's Artistic and Historic Roots

The famous Judson Studios moved to Garvanza in 1911. This studio is known for creating beautiful stained glass. Their work can be seen in many old Craftsman and Mission-style buildings across Southern California.

In the early 1900s, Garvanza was a hub for the Arts and Crafts movement. This was a time when people valued handmade items and simple, natural designs.

In 1997, the city of Los Angeles officially recognized the area as "Garvanza." The neighborhood is also part of the "Highland Park-Garvanza HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone) Preservation Plan." This plan helps protect the area's historic buildings. In 2019, the Garvanza Improvement Association received an award for their work in preserving the neighborhood.

Garvanza Park, a popular spot for outdoor activities.

Where is Garvanza Located?

Garvanza shown on a map of Los Angeles County from October 1893.

Garvanza has clear borders. To the west, it's bordered by Figueroa Street. The city limits of Pasadena are to the north. San Pascual Avenue and the 110 Freeway are to the east. York Boulevard forms the southern border.

Nearby neighborhoods include Highland Park to the west. South Pasadena and Hermon are to the east. Official signs marking the Garvanza neighborhood were put up in 1997.

Parks and Fun Things to Do

Garvanza has great places for outdoor activities:

• Garvanza Park - You can find it at 6240 East Meridian Street.
• Garvanza Skate Park - This skate park is also at 6240 East Meridian Street, right next to the park.

Schools in Garvanza

The Los Angeles Unified School District manages the schools in this area.

• Garvanza Elementary School - This school is located at 317 N. Avenue 62, Los Angeles, CA 90042.

Historic Landmarks in Garvanza

Garvanza is home to fourteen special places called Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments. These sites are protected because they are important to the history and culture of Los Angeles:

• Judson Studios - 200 S. Avenue 66, Monument No. 62
• Abbey San Encino - 6211 Arroyo Glen Street, Monument No. 106
• McClure Residence - 432 N. Avenue 66, Monument No. 107
• Santa Fe's Arroyo Seco Bridge - 162 S. Avenue 61, Monument No. 339
• Frederic M. Ashley House - 740-742 N. Avenue 66, Monument No. 402
• Robert Edmund Williams House (also known as Hathaway Home for Children) - 480 N. Avenue 66, Monument No. 411
• Garvanza Pumping Station and site of Highland Reservoir - 420 N. Avenue 62, Monument No. 412
• George W. Wilson Estate - 616 N. Avenue 66, Monument No. 418 (This building was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1989.)
• Fargo House - 206 Thorne Street, Monument No. 464
• Dr. Franklin S. Whaley Residence - 6434 Crescent Street, Monument No. 528
• Charles H. Greenshaw Residence - 1102 Lantana Drive, Monument No. 565
• Monroe Cottage - 6310 Crescent Street, Monument No. 894
• Stewart Farmhouse - 126 N. Avenue 63, Monument No. 1028 (This house was moved from its original location after it was named a monument.)
• Donnelly House - 1121 N. Avenue 64, Monument No. 1041

Famous People From Garvanza

• Cora Scott Pond Pope (1856-?) - She was a suffragist (someone who fought for women's right to vote), a teacher, a writer, and a real estate developer.

Historical Photos of Garvanza

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  This photo from 1886 shows the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Railroad train crossing the Arroyo Seco at Garvanza.

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  Taken in 1895, this picture shows the Pasadena and Los Angeles Electric Railway and the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Railroad train in the Arroyo Seco at Garvanza.

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  This 1940 photo shows the York Boulevard bridge in the background and The Marmion Way bridge in the foreground, both over the Arroyo Seco Parkway.