Historic Properties
The treasures of Sierra Madre are its tree-lined streets and charming historic buildings.
Have you ever wondered about how they came to be, about the stories behind those intriguing buildings that so delight the eye?
Do you . . .
- own a Landmark Property or a home or business built in the 1920s and before? We would love to include it here.
- have anything to add to these listed histories? any corrections?
- have a memory of an historic property that you would like to share?
Let Us Know!
Properties are listed in alphabetical order by street name.
Fire Horn
N. Baldwin & Montecito
Shortly before WWII
A wonderful experience to again witness the activation of the old “fire horn” and to remember some of the highlights in its long history…
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Richard/Jenkins Residence
169 N. Baldwin1910
Can you imagine not having an official name until you are over 100 years old? This home had several names over the years…
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Ascension Church
240 N. Baldwin
1888
The original wood-frame church building on this site was constructed in 1885 but the building blew down in a windstorm in October of 1887…
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Westphalia
355 E. Grand View
1924
Westphalia, originally in Prussia, was optimistically referred to as the “best of all possible places” in the “best of all possible worlds”…
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Norris House
80 W. Grand View
1885
In October 1885, Mr. Norris bought 10 more acres from George Renfro and these 14 acres became part of the Norris Tract in which he named two streets, Laurel and Victoria Lane…
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The Parsonage
40 S. Hermosa
1904
In 1923, the parsonage was moved behind the new Sierra Madre First Congregational Church, which is where it remains to this day…
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E. Waldo Ward
Ranch & Home
273 E. Highland
1902-1903
The Ward Ranch is the oldest surviving business in Sierra Madre. When you walk on to the property you feel as though you have stepped back in time. …
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Sierra Madre
Elementary School
141 W. Highland
1930
In order to construct a new state-of-the-art school for Sierra Madre children, a bond was issued to raise $200,000. The bond campaign was entitled “Give the Kiddies A Chance” and resulted in the 1930 opening of the mission revival-style school we still use today…
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Ocean View House
93. W. Mira Monte
1882
This “Ocean View House” was the first hotel in Sierra Madre and many people came from the east coast for the good weather and to buy real estate from the developer Mr. Carter.
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Bixby House
397 W. Montecito Ave
1881
Percy R. Wilson, an attorney in Los Angeles, purchased the original property of 20 acres from town developer Nathanial Carter, in exchange for an orange grove.
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Blumer House
390 Olive Tree Lane
1887
The house at 390 Olive Tree Lane currently sits on a secluded 1.81-acre parcel of land at the end of a private drive, just north of Grand View. It recently became re-listed as an historic landmark in Sierra Madre and was named the Blumer Farmhouse…
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First Congregational Church
170 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
1928
By 1928, enough had been completed that it was time for a ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone for the tower. At that ceremony, items were placed into a time capsule, a copper box that was later soldered shut and placed within the cornerstone…
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Old North Church
191 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
1890
A bell, which has the date 1893 on it, was hoisted into the bell tower with the help of a team of horses, and was inscribed “Let him who hears come…”
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The Sierra Madre Public Library
440 West Sierra Madre Blvd
1955
Our library is the fourth oldest library in Los Angeles County and the tenth oldest library in Southern California…
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Caldwell/Fairbank House
647 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard1907
The Caldwell/Fairbank House was saved by a whisker from demolition in 1995, thanks to the current owners who purchased the house, saving part of the legacy of Louis B. Easton, a talented Craftsman designer/builder from the turn of the last Century.
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