Opportunity calls. Eric Warren received a phone call from a man who wanted to get some old Eagle Rock newspapers out of his storage. He and Charles Fisher followed up and found the bound volumes of the Northeast Newspapers. Here they are in the back of my Honda. (Eric Warren-ERVHS)
Mel Harte writes “James B. McNary & Jennie C. McNary built this home after WWI and according to grandpa McNary it cost $3500 to build, including cobblestone fireplace & porch columns. The McNarys lived in the house until the middle ‘30s, then they moved to the converted garage in the rear to make room for family members”. The house, on Eagle Rock Boulevard, was threatened by condominium development .The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society and TERA (The Eagle Rock Association), with the aid of Charles J. Fisher, obtained Historic Cultural Monument status in 2007. (1962 Survey-ERVHS)
Dahlia Motors Building was declared a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument in 2001. Built by Nancy Poole in 1931 for Wayne Nutting. Here Whaley’s Ford service takes equal billing. The last garage owner was La Dell Stapp. When he retired he sold the building to the present owners who refurbished it, had it declared a Historic Cultural monument, and opened Fatty’s, a Place to Eat. Nutting owned and drove a Stanley Steamer, giving rides to local children on his weekend jaunts. He and his wife were killed and several others were badly injured in an accident involving a propane retrofit on the car. (Eric Warren-ERVHS)
Past president Joe Northrup and longtime president John Miller at a meeting in the refurbished Library building. (Eric Warren-ERVHS)
Pat Samson, Virginia Neeley and Ann Walnum took on the task of sorting through the materials and starting a catalog. A lot of help from our friends, Highland Park historians all! (Melody Peterson-ERVHS)
Part of the ERVHS archives after delivery to the new ERCCC. When the materials were discovered in poor condition where the city had deposited them, community members reorganized the space and built shelving to allow access to sort the cataloged and disorganized collection. (Eric Warren-ERVHS)
The old Eagle Rock library as it sat unoccupied awaiting funding for the earthquake and disabled access modifications required to reopen. Furniture and bound newspaper volumes from our former museum were stored here.A blue ribbon committee appointed by councilmember Alatorre put forth a plan to reopen as a cultural center for community groups including the Historical society.(John Miller-ERVHS)
All of the then-past presidents of the society gather here to cut the cake at the 25th anniversary celebration. Pictured are from left, Joe Northrup, 1969-73; Lois Woods, 1979-81; Henry Welcome, 1961-65 and 1981-83;Walter Dickey, then current president; Powell Greenland, 1965-69; and Ralph Sherman, 1973-77. (Photograph by Joe Friezer, published in the Eagle Rock Sentinel.)
The ERVHS museum in 1985. Many original photographs and artworks were displayed in an effort to educate the public about Eagle Rock’s history. As can be seen storage for the collection was scarce. The display cases in the foreground were donated to the society by the Southwest Museum. The bound newspapers were from the Glendale News Press that had been de-accessioned from the Glendale Public Library. They have since been returned there. (John Miller-ERVHS)
This painting, by Jennie C. Brayton, was discovered behind Arroyo Furniture in Highland Park and restored by the society. Here it is being loaned for display in the new Eagle Rock Branch Library. From left; unknown man; Virginia Ruzica, restoration artist; Carroll Evans, financial sponsor; Ralph Sherman, past president of ERVHS; and Lois Woods, then-president unveil the painting in the community room of the library. (probably Joe Friezer -ERVHS)