Nestled between Los Angeles and Pasadena, Highland Park’s charm is rooted in its natural beauty — rolling hills, the lush vegetation of the Arroyo Seco, and open grassy flatlands. Once part of a tract named after the garbanzo (or chickpea), the area was fittingly known as Garvanza before becoming the “Highlands,” and ultimately, Highland Park.
From Pastures to Possibility
Originally used for sheep and cattle grazing, the area’s promise was soon recognized by early developers. As real estate investors subdivided the land into residential and commercial lots, a growing vision took shape for a thriving hillside community.
Railroads, Roads, and Rapid Growth
Transportation shaped Highland Park’s destiny. In the mid-1880s, the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Valley Railroad brought practical, reliable travel through the area, linking residents to two major cities.
Local entrepreneurs organized the Garvanza Land Company, and property sales were brisk — business lots reached $1,500 while residential lots averaged around $400. The elegant Garvanza Hotel opened in 1886, welcoming visitors arriving by stagecoach or rail.
Even as economic hardships swept Southern California in the early 1890s, Highland Park’s residents showed remarkable resilience. They rebuilt, adapted, and prospered despite plummeting land prices and foreclosures.
Rails, Trolleys, and Connection
Growth continued with the Los Angeles Terminal Railway in 1890, offering 24 daily trains, followed by an electric trolley line in 1895. By 1896, the wooden trestle over the Arroyo Seco was replaced by a steel bridge to accommodate heavier trains — a symbol of the area’s enduring progress.
In 1895, Highland Park officially became part of the City of Los Angeles.
The Rise of Education and Culture
When Occidental College relocated to Highland Park in 1898, it brought an infusion of academic and cultural life — even attracting visits from President William Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt.
Soon after, in 1901, the College of Fine Arts, an extension of USC, opened nearby. Its legacy continues through Judson Studios, the renowned stained-glass workshop that still stands today.
A Flourishing Community
The early 1900s marked a time of civic pride and cultural growth.
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The Highland Park Ebell Club, founded in 1903, became a cornerstone of women’s civic life. More than 20,000 people attended its clubhouse dedication ten years later.
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The Highland Park Herald newspaper debuted in 1905, documenting local life and progress.
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The Los Angeles Railway’s “Yellow Car” extended its service through Highland Park by 1906, connecting York Valley and downtown Los Angeles.
That same year saw the founding of both the Bank of Highland Park and a local Masonic Lodge, along with the elegant Annandale Country Club, which famously hosted President Taft and industrialist Andrew Carnegie.
Preservation and Legacy
Following Theodore Roosevelt’s 1911 visit, he declared the Arroyo Seco “one of the greatest parks in the world.” His friend Charles Lummis, founder of the Southwest Museum and resident of the landmark home El Alisal, led the charge to preserve the Arroyo. By 1923, the City of Los Angeles had permanently set aside 60 acres for the Arroyo Seco Park system — a living gift to future generations.
Geographically, the Arroyo Seco—literally “dry creek”—is the defining natural feature of Northeast Los Angeles. This long, dramatic canyon begins at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains north of Pasadena and winds south along the western edge of South Pasadena. It skirts the historic Garvanza district, continues through Highland Park, and ultimately joins the Los Angeles River just north of Elysian Park.
Sunday, November 2nd at Heritage Square Museum!
The late nineteenth century was a time of extraordinary change for both the United States and California. As the Industrial Revolution drew to a close, a new world of knowledge and innovation was rapidly emerging—one that blended the old with the new, and the foreign with the familiar.
