Glendale Register of Historic Resources and Historic Districts facts for kids
The Glendale Register of Historic Resources and Historic Districts is a special list of important places in Glendale, California. These include buildings, bridges, statues, and even trees! The City of Glendale chooses these spots because they are a big part of the city's history.
Glendale started its history program in 1977, naming 28 places as city landmarks. In 1997, the official Glendale Register of Historic Resources was created. It started with those first 28 landmarks and nine more. Today, the register has over 100 amazing historic places!
Glendale also has five special "historic districts." These are areas with many old and important homes. The districts are Ard Eevin Highlands, Cottage Grove, Royal Boulevard, Brockmont Park, and Rossmoyne. The city began protecting these districts in 2006.
Some of Glendale's historic places are so important that they are also on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This is a list for the whole country! Famous examples include the Catalina Verdugo Adobe, Alex Theatre, and Grand Central Air Terminal. The Catalina Verdugo Adobe is extra special because it's on the NRHP, the Glendale Register, and is also a California Historical Landmark!
Even though it's not on the Glendale Register, the Rockhaven Sanitarium Historic District in Glendale is also listed on the National Register. You can see a map of these historic spots by clicking "OpenStreetMap" in the box to the right.
Contents
Glendale's Historic Treasures
Glendale's Register of Historic Resources helps protect places that tell the story of the city. Let's explore some of these cool spots!
Early Landmarks (1977 Designations)
Many of Glendale's first historic places were recognized in 1977. These include some of the oldest buildings and unique natural features.
Catalina Verdugo Adobe
The Catalina Verdugo Adobe is number one on the list! It was built around 1860 for Catalina Verdugo, whose family owned a huge ranch called Rancho San Rafael. This adobe is super old and very important to California's history. It's even a California Historical Landmark!
Oak of Peace
Right near the Catalina Verdugo Adobe is the Oak of Peace. This isn't a building, but a very old oak tree! In 1847, during the Mexican–American War, important talks happened under this tree. These discussions helped lead to a peace treaty. Sadly, the tree died in 1987, but its remains remind us of its historical role.
Casa Adobe de San Rafael
Another historic adobe, the Casa Adobe de San Rafael, was built around 1865. It belonged to Tomas Avila Sanchez, who was the sheriff of Los Angeles County. This beautiful old home is also a California Historical Landmark.
Taylor House
The Taylor House, built in 1873, is special because it's the oldest wooden house in Glendale. Imagine living in a house built almost 150 years ago!
The Doctor's House
The Doctor's House is a beautiful Victorian-style home from 1887. It used to be at a different location but was moved to Brand Park in the 1980s. Now, it's a museum where you can learn about Glendale's past. Two important doctors used to live there.
El Miradero (Brand Library & Art Center)
Built in 1903, El Miradero is also known as Brand Library and Brand Castle. It was a grand Moorish-style mansion owned by Leslie Coombs Brand. He later gave it to the city, and it became a library and art center. It's a stunning building located in Brand Park.
Glendale Southern Pacific Railroad Depot
The Glendale Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was built in 1923. It's a beautiful train station designed in the Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. This station is so important that it's also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Glendale Young Men's Christian Association
The Glendale Young Men's Christian Association building, from 1926, is a four-story Spanish Colonial Revival building. It's a strong, historic building that has served the community for a long time. It's also listed on the National Register.
Hotel Glendale
The Hotel Glendale opened in 1925. This six-story hotel has a grand Beaux Arts Classical style. It's a historic landmark that later became housing for senior citizens.
Grand Central Air Terminal
The Grand Central Air Terminal was built in 1928. It's a famous airport terminal with Spanish Colonial Revival and Zig-Zag Moderne designs. Many famous aviators, like Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, used this airport! It's also on the National Register.
Alex Theatre
The Alex Theatre was built in 1925 and is a true Glendale icon. It has a mix of Classical Revival and Egyptian Revival styles. In 1940, a tall, neon-lit art-deco column was added, making it even more eye-catching. This theater is also on the National Register.
James Daniel Derby House
The James Daniel Derby House, built in 1926, is a unique home. It was designed by Lloyd Wright (son of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright) in an American Modernistic style with Mayan features. It was built using special pre-cast concrete blocks. It's also on the National Register.
Newer Additions to the Register
Over the years, more important places have been added to Glendale's historic list.
Glendale City Hall
Glendale's City Hall, built between 1940 and 1941, is a great example of Art Deco architecture. It's where many important city decisions are made.
US Post Office-Glendale Main
The US Post Office-Glendale Main building, from 1934, is an Italian Renaissance-style post office. It's a beautiful and important public building. It's also on the National Register.
Historic Bridges
Glendale also protects several historic bridges built in the 1930s. These include the Geneva Street Bridge, Kenilworth Avenue Bridge, Glenoaks Boulevard Bridge, and Concord Street Bridge. They are important examples of engineering from that time.
Ard Eevin
Ard Eevin, built in 1903, is a beautiful house with Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles. It was designed by architect Nathaniel Dryden and was added to the National Register in 2006.
Shoseian Teahouse
The Shoseian Teahouse, built in 1974, is a Japanese teahouse located in Brand Park. It's also known as the Shoseian Whispering Pine Japanese Tea House and offers a peaceful cultural experience.
Wian House
The Wian House, built in 1928, is a Spanish Revival home. It was owned by Bob Wian, who founded the famous Bob's Big Boy restaurant chain! This house is part of the Royal Boulevard Historic District.
Glendale's Historic Districts
Glendale has five special historic districts. These are areas where many homes share a similar historic style and feel, creating a unique neighborhood character.
Royal Boulevard Historic District
This was Glendale's very first historic district. It's located on Royal Boulevard between Princess Drive and Del Monte Drive. It has 30 homes, mostly built from 1927 to 1948. You can see different styles here, like Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and French-inspired architecture.
Ard Eevin Highlands Historic District
This district is in the Cumberland Heights neighborhood and includes 87 homes. Most were built between the 1920s and 1940s. The homes here show styles like Spanish Colonial, Monterey, Colonial, and Tudor Revival.
Cottage Grove Historic District
At the foot of Adams Hill, Cottage Grove has 14 homes. Many are Tudor Revival cottages, making the area feel like a charming "English village." It even includes a farmhouse from 1901, which was the first building in the neighborhood!
Brockmont Park Historic District
This district has 58 houses built on what used to be the large estate of John C. Brockman. His hillside home, called Brockmont, and a four-story clock tower he built in 1914 are important parts of this district.
Rossmoyne Historic District
Rossmoyne is Glendale's largest historic district, with 503 houses! Most were built between 1923 and 1950. You'll find many homes here in Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and French designs.
Images for kids
-
The Catalina Verdugo Adobe, a very old and important building.
-
The Casa Adobe de San Rafael, another historic adobe in Glendale.
-
The Glendale Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, a beautiful historic train station.
-
The Glendale YMCA building, a four-story Spanish Colonial Revival structure.
-
The Hotel Glendale, a grand Beaux Arts Classical hotel.
-
The Grand Central Air Terminal, where famous aviators once flew.
-
The iconic Alex Theatre, a historic entertainment venue.
-
The unique James Daniel Derby House, designed by Lloyd Wright.
-
The Glendale Main Post Office, an Italian Renaissance-style building.
-
Ard Eevin, a beautiful historic house in Glendale.
