His ranch hands transplanted more than 100 trees each 2foottall running along both sides of a straight avenue running uphill from woodbury road. Christmas tree lane in altadena santa rosa avenue btwn woodbury ave and altadena drive is the oldest largescale. Ahs also has a collection of postcards dating back to 1908. The 128yearold deodars loom overhead fivestories high, closing ranks and blocking out the stars. The association that runs it claims it is the oldest largescale outdoor christmas display in the world. The 5 deodar cedar trees were planted in 1885 by the woodbury family, the founders of altadena.
And in areas where there arent traditional fir trees, celebrants make do with what is available. It is listed in the national register of historic places and designated as the california state landmark no. The celebratory event has been happening every year since the 1920s, and the organization prides itself in being the oldest largescale christmas lighting. Christmas tree lane was placed on the national register of historic places in 1990, and is a california historical landmark. Sep 09, 20 altadena, ca christmas tree lane lights up this post was contributed by a community member.
Nothing says christmas like the sight of beautiful outdoor twinkling lights lending a bit of romanticism and happiness to the holiday season. In 1885, there was a real estate developer named john p. The deodar cedar, altadenas very own official tree, is native to the western himalayas. Talks about growing up in altadena in the 1930s and 1940s, summer movie nights at farnsworth park, life in altadena during wwii, his work on the mt. Volunteer on christmas tree lane hometown pasadena. The altadena main library, located along the historic christmas tree lane, was built in 1967. Each book is named for a different home in the fictional town of cedar cove, washington and focuses on its residents. Altadena, ca christmas tree lane lights up this post was contributed by a community member. In 1885, the woodbury family, founders of altadena, planted the deodar cedar trees on the street inspired by seeing these trees in a visit to italy and. Its christmas tree lane in altadena and its time to string the lights.
Dec 14, 2010 city hall may boast an impressive christmas tree, but our neighbors to the north in altadena have the rose city beat when it comes to holiday displays. The nearly milelong street garners a street sign pointing to christmas tree lane on santa rosa avenue, where a grove of deodar pines line the street lovingly shining for the holiday season each christmas. Dec 25, 2019 fresnos christmas tree lane is a tradition going back 97 years. Several community members signed up to pitch their favorite books to the crowd, and library stakeholders awarded the friends with commemorative gifts. Most notably was the santa rosa avenue christmas tree lane show started by frederick nash in altadena, california. Santa rosa avenue between woodbury avenue and altadena drive. Ian was an enthusiastic showman, and played his role to the hilt locally whether as mc for the opening of christmas tree lane, grand marshal of altadenas old fashioned days parad, or. Christmas tree lane at the base of the san gabriel mountains, was established along the lane of deodar cedars that john woodbury discovered on a trip through italy, and envisioned for altadena. Giant deodar cedar trees, planted more than 100 years ago, are trimmed with thousands of colorful lights every december. One of the several signs indicating christmas tree lane as a california state landmark. Friends of the altadena library a big thank you to all who helped make our 60th anniversary book pitch party such a success. Dec 14, 2019 after your reservation is confirmed, payments can be made by cash, or check made out to christmas tree lane association and mailed to p.
Hello and welcome to the official youtube channel for christmas tree lane in altadena, california. Near december 24th, santa rosa avenue, as it is known the. Christmas tree lanes yearly lighting ceremony, hosted. Lee, who lived in a home where eliot arts magnet school now stands, wrote a poetic tribute to our beautiful deodars, and the street they made famous, christmas tree lane. Christmas tree lane model train house 2085 santa rosa ave. For many in southern california, this place is something they visit.
From saturday, december 14th 2019 through december 31st, christmas tree lane will be lit each night from 5. Actually named santa rosa avenue, the roads a wee stretch 34 mile according to this mapquest link and a mile long according to the altadena official tree page. The place that i will visit for my field trip assignment is christmas tree lane in altadena pasadena. A very short history of altadena altadena heritage. Merchants thought up ways of drumming up business during the christmas season even in the 1920s. Christmas tree lane and the colorful lights of the balian mansion have become beloved parts of area tradition. Christmas tree lane model train house 2085 santa rosa ave altadena ca 91001. On the opening night of christmas tree lane, which is located on n van ness blvd between shields ave and shaw ave in fresno, california, millions of lights are turned on at 6.
In the mountains of altadena, up near loma alta drive, is a 35foot star on the hillside that has been lit for the last two nights. Located in the hills north of pasadena, the bucolic treelined community is home to a delightful holiday tradition, christmas tree lane. A beacon of hope from altadena to the san gabriel valley. Friends of the altadena library altadena libraries. The christmas tree book the history of the christmas tree. See more ideas about san gabriel mountains, san gabriel valley and altadena california. Christmas tree lane in altadena has been continuously lit except during ww2 since 1920. Jul, 2007 christmas tree lane is located on santa rosa avenue in altadena between woodbury and altadena drive. A parklike setting surrounds the unique 25,000 squarefoot, midcentury modern building, which was designed by famed architect boyd georgi. This group helps and supports christmas tree lane, an altadena treasure and a california landmark. Christmas tree lane in a vintage postcard, courtesy of mary mallory.
Christmas tree lane is an annual tradition in the city of altadena, north of pasadena, which features deodar cedar trees strung with christmas lights. Over 100 years ago the founder of altadena planted 150 deodar trees cedars native to himalaya along this stretch of road. Dec 21, 2012 organized by frederick nash in altadena, calif. Apr 29, 2020 ian was an enthusiastic showman, and played his role to the hilt locally whether as mc for the opening of christmas tree lane, grand marshal of altadenas old fashioned days parad, or. Altadena s santa rose avenue, perhaps before it had become christmas tree lane. In 2019 christmas tree lane will celebrate its 79th lighting. Beautiful altadena, california is located north of pasadena on the foothills of the san gabriel mountains.
Christmas tree lane woodbury road altadena, california. Christmas tree lane the peninsulas best christmas show. To read about the history of christmas tree lane, read matt hormanns come one, come all, to christmas tree lane. Visitors can drive the 2mile stretch from shields to shaw all the way until christmas day.
Christmas tree lane began in 1920 with a single tree that was decorated to honor a child who had passed away. Every christmas season for more than 90 years, the majestic deodars on the mile of christmas trees are strung with 10,000 lights. The trees on the lane, santa rosa avenue, have been lighted annually as a christmas holiday display since 1920. From edison to led the complete history of christmas lights. After your reservation is confirmed, payments can be made by cash, or check made out to christmas tree lane association and mailed to p. Dec, 2008 popular mechanics adds that the first outdoor light show was organized by frederick nash in altadena, california, which turned santa rosa avenue into christmas tree lane. Christmas tree lane altadena, altadena, california. Beth lives and works at her christmas tree farm at 1225 christmas tree lane, where she also trains dogs. Since 1920, christmas tree lane has been lit every single year with the exception of the period during world war ii for residents enjoyment. The origins of a southern california tradition nathan masters the show explores how rare artifacts from southern californias archives can. The granddaddy celebration of them all is altadenas christmas. Lowe pavilion restoration in 1962, finding relics at echo mountain, and directing traffic on christmas tree lane as a boy scout. Between wilderness and city, for the commemoritve booklet produced for the communitys 125 th.
Christmas tree lanes star of palawoo perfectly aligned with altadenas christmas tree lane, built far above in the foothills, was a five pointed star built on a thirtyfive foot tall wood scaffold, with seventyfive forty watt light bulbs. Over 100 years ago the founder of altadena planted 150 deodar trees cedars native to himalaya along this stretch. Dec 08, 2014 christmas tree lane s star of palawoo perfectly aligned with altadena s christmas tree lane, built far above in the foothills, was a five pointed star built on a thirtyfive foot tall wood scaffold, with seventyfive forty watt light bulbs. Running for about a mile along santa rosa street, the trees have been lit almost continuously for over 95 years. Christmas tree lane in altadena is the oldest largescale christmas lighting spectacle in the united states. Theres a place nearby in altadena called christmas tree lane.
A very short history of altadena written by michele zack, author of altadena. Each december, north van ness boulevard in fig garden becomes a oneway street lined with hundreds of trees and homes all deckedout for the holidays. People have flocked to a famous lane of trees and a deckedout house again this year to see christmas light spectaculars in altadena. The main subjects of this final tale are beth morehouse, her exhusband kent and their daughters bailey and sophie. Each december, members of the christmas tree lane association festoon the 110 still standing giant deodars that line the street with thousands of christmas lights. I remembered this option being in the link you provided to us during the early stages of our class. Woodbury part of the woodbury family who founded altadena. Christmas tree lane is located on santa rosa avenue in altadena between woodbury and altadena drive.
It was sponsored by the childs study circle of altadena now known as the pta and consisted of a book shelf in the rest room and a bushel basketful of donated books serviced by teachers. Where to see christmas lights nearby video altadena, ca patch. The place that i will visit for my field trip assignment is christmas tree lane in altadenapasadena. Christmas tree lane in altadena santa rosa avenue, between woodbury avenue and altadena drive is the oldest largescale outdoor christmas display in the world. History altadenas first library was set up in 1908 in the three room school house on calaveras street. Popular mechanics adds that the first outdoor light show was organized by frederick nash in altadena, california, which turned santa rosa avenue into christmas tree lane. Visitors can drive the 2mile stretch from shields to. The peninsulas best christmas show in 2019 christmas tree lane will celebrate its 79th lighting. Christmas tree lane in altadena is a state historical site on the california historical register. Altadena, california christmas tree lane annual drive. A large crowd gathered in the main library in early november to celebrate a milestone in the history of the friends of the altadena library. The tradition has grown every year for almost 100 years and is a.
Among altadenas christmas lighting attractions was the. A brief history of christmas lights popular mechanics. An automobile drives down santa rosa avenue in 1925. The botanical name, cedrus deodara, derives from sanskrit and means w. Untitled document 1 the place that i will visit for my. It is believed that the first outdoor public electric light christmas holiday display was organized by fredrick nash and the pasadena chamber of commerce in altadena, california, on santa rosa avenue, called christmas tree lane. Dec 15, 2002 theres a place nearby in altadena called christmas tree lane. Christmas tree lane is a 95 year old tradition that starte. Where to see christmas lights nearby video altadena. Not only do they line christmas tree lane, but you can see many of them planted on streets and in yards throughout altadena. Some 140 homes and 300 trees are decorated and the display spans nearly two miles. Citizens here have consistently resisted annexation to pasadena although that city has taken 46 bites of it over the years, seeking tax revenues, and. Every christmas season for more than 80 years, the majestic deodars on the mile of christmas trees are strung with 10,000 lights. Nash in 1920, the mile of christmas trees has been strung with 10,000 lights each holiday season through the efforts of volunteers and the christmas tree lane association.
Christmas tree lane altadena public group facebook. Wilson, christmas tree lane, iconic houses, devils gate dam, and the pacific electric railway and more. Dec 22, 2014 christmas tree lane 2016 96th annual lighting ceremony duration. Christmas tree lane historical landmark description. Btw we still have michele zacks altadena history book available. Christmas tree lane in altadena actually santa rosa avenue, between woodbury avenue and altadena drive is reported to be the oldest largescale christmas lighting display in the world. Nov 03, 2012 throughout its history and up until today, as altadena celebrates its 125th year, this distinct geography has nurtured an independent spirit and given the community a closetonature feel.
Every saturday and sunday until december 15th, join neighbors and friends to put up lights. Stories aside, the 107acre area offers visitors the opportunity to explore altadenas history with a free botanical garden and hiking ground operated by the u. Lowe, the alpine tavern, the altadena country club, mt. Christmas tree lane in case you havent noticed yet, altadena is a community that likes to keep its traditions alive, and this includes its annual display at christmas tree lane. Altadena ca the balian house and christmas tree lane. The trees have outlived their age expectancy of over 100 years and continue to delight young. Fresnos christmas tree lane is a tradition going back 97 years. Last night we visited christmas tree lane in altadena with my family and we also drove through hastings ranch in pasadena, where the community comes together and decorate their homes with beautiful christmas decor. I have called it home for over 30 years and feel lucky to live here.
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