Altadena’s Historic Highlands was spared by the fires. It’s now trying to be LA County’s first historic district

Altadena’s unincorporated Historic Highlands neighborhood was spared by the Eaton Fire and is now one step closer to becoming L.A. County’s first historic district.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday moved forward a years-long effort to preserve the neighborhood’s charm and architecture.

The designation would preserve the area’s unique architectural and cultural history, according to the Historic Highland Neighborhood Association. If approved, the district would be called Altadena Historic Highlands.

“If we may say so, Altadena deserves that honor — fire or no fire,” the Altadena Heritage board wrote to the supervisors.

Isn’t the Historic Highlands already protected? 

Yes, and no. The neighborhood sits within two distinct legal boundaries. A majority of the community sits within the city of Pasadena, which designated its side of the neighborhood as a historic landmark district in 2008. A majority of homes, around 700, reside on this side of the Historic Highlands.

The remaining 150 homes outside of Pasadena fall within Altadena, which is in the unincorporated section of L.A. County. In 2019, the association expressed interest in nominating its side of the highlands as a historic district, which includes 72 of 150 Altadena homes.

The proposal extends the Historic Highland designation north of Pasadena’s partial boundary on East Topeka Street to New York Drive in Altadena.

Altadena’s unincorporated Historic Highlands neighborhood is one step closer to becoming L.A. County’s first historic district.

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Courtesy of the Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association

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Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association

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Officials and residents say 

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the neighborhood’s mix of architectural styles speaks to the diversity and evolution of Altadena.

“As we look forward to (the) rebuilding of Altadena, I hope these examples of historic architecture can be rebuilt in our community, and we can rebuild with resilience in mind, but with an eye on the history that we are honoring,” Barger said.

In a joint letter, the Altadena Heritage board wrote that although the Historic Highlands was spared, the Eaton Fire left Altadena in ruins — making it all the more important that the county designate the region a historic district.

“It must not go unnoticed that, if this designation is approved, the Historic Highlands will be Los Angeles County’s first Historic District,” the letter stated.

Veronica T. Boone of Pasadena also wrote to the board that the Eaton Fire “depleted Altadena” of most of its historic architecture.

“Considering these losses, the Altadena and Pasadena communities seek to protect the few architectural treasures that remain," Boone wrote. "Establishing this district will help preserve a portion of historic Altadena for generations to come."

Barger said she can’t think of a more fitting first designation than having it in Altadena.

What’s next? 

On Tuesday, the board directed county officials to draft the necessary documents for the next vote, which will be on whether to officially designate the area a historic district.