Historic Highlands began at the turn of the century
and came of age during the first World War and the
economic boom of the 1920's. From orange groves
to early 20th century suburb, by the time of Historic
Highlands' incorporation into the City of Pasadena
in 1925 it had transformed from a remote country
outpost to a bustling and varied neighborhood.
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Historic Highlands History
What is known today as the Historic Highlands encompasses the estates and land
holdings of two prominent Pasadena pioneers: David MacPherson, former Santa Fe
Railroad design engineer of the famed Mt. Lowe railroad; Ezra Dane, an orchardist
who settled here in 1883.
Ezra Dane crossed the plains from Massachusetts sometime between 1849 and 1852
and settled in Sonora County in Northern California where he became a prosperous
farmer. Driven from the area by an out break of malaria in the early 1880's, he
moved his family to Pasadena in 1883 where he purchased 160 acres in the San
Pasqual Rancho area, known as "the place where every tree is pleasant to the sight
and good for food" and began planting orchards.
In 1885, Dane and his wife Lois built their substantial ranch home from the first
lumber brought to Pasadena by steam locomotive. From the house known for many
years as "Sunnyridge on the Highlands", Dane oversaw orchard and livestock
operations on his land, which stretched north from Washington to Woodbury Road
and east from Holliston to a point midway between modern day Mar Vista and
Catalina. He grew peaches, apricots, prunes and citrus, and raised some livestock -
including about a hundred hogs - on Elizabeth Street. A driveway from Washington
to his home was lined with a double row of palm trees still visible in the backyards of
homes between Michigan and Chester.
As Pasadena grew north and east, homes were being built all around the ranch so the
Danes began selling their land a parcel at a time. In 1912, they subdivided the land
immediately adjacent to the ranch house, creating building lots on Holliston, Chester,
Michigan, Mar Vista, Denver (now Howard) and Rio Grande. The lots were sold to
members of Pasadena's prosperous business and professional class who had substantial
homes custom built on the large lots during the ensuing decades. Ezra and Lois Dane
lived in the home until their deaths in the early 1920's. Their daughter Alice and later
her grandson and his family lived in the home.
MacPherson owned much of the land bordered by New York Drive on the north and
Washington Blvd. on the south, in what is now the western part of the neighborhood.
The east/west streets were given names of the railroads: Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe
(now Elizabeth), Denver (now Howard), and Rio Grand. The names Catalina and
MarVista acknowledge the great view of the ocean at that time. MacPherson built a
home at 1075 Topeka in 1906 and was living at 1120 Atchison at the time of his death.
MacPherson teamed with famous entrepreneur Thaddeus Lowe to design and build
the Echo Mountain Incline Railway which made its first official trip on July 4th, 1893.
Four million visitors enjoyed the breathtaking views and fresh mountain air for more
than 40 years until the railway stopped operating in 1937.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES:
The earliest architectural style represented in Pasadena is Victorian, but Pasadena is
mostly associated with the Craftsman style. Many significant local architects
introduced Period and Revival style homes which were well received by
cosmopolitan residents. The Prairie style might be attributed to emigrants from the
Midwest. Indeed, the Prairie style home is quite at home next to the California
Bungalow. Both share honest craftsmanship and find inspiration in the simplicity and
beauty of nature. True to the craftsman ethic of using locally found materials, locally
grown oak and Douglas fir are used throughout the homes in Historic Highlands, as
well as art tile from Southern California's artisan community. River rock has
commonly been used for foundations and chimneys, and likely came from the Arroyo
Seco. Craftsman and Prairie homes were reactions to the industrialization and heavy,
non-functional ornamentation of Victorians.
The architectural details in the homes of Historic Highlands find inspiration from all
over the world. Influential local architects Greene & Greene were inspired by the
Japonaiserie movement when they visited the World's Columbian Exhibition in
Chicago in 1893. In the 1920's, American architecture was influenced by both
European and early American architecture. Not necessarily faithful reproductions,
Period revival homes liberally borrowed attractive or romanticized elements. The
European flair of Period revival homes suggested the culture and prestige of its
residents. Futhermore, in Southern California, Period revival movements represent a
reaction against the dark organic interiors of the Craftsman style in favor of brightly
lit and open rooms. Colonial revival reflects national pride and became popular
following the country's 1876 Centennial. Similarly, the Mission revival style
recognizes early California's cultural heritage and was popularized following the
Panama-California Exposition in San Diego in 1915.
Today Historic Highlands is a combination of many different architectural styles and
cultures.
holdings of two prominent Pasadena pioneers: David MacPherson, former Santa Fe
Railroad design engineer of the famed Mt. Lowe railroad; Ezra Dane, an orchardist
who settled here in 1883.
Ezra Dane crossed the plains from Massachusetts sometime between 1849 and 1852
and settled in Sonora County in Northern California where he became a prosperous
farmer. Driven from the area by an out break of malaria in the early 1880's, he
moved his family to Pasadena in 1883 where he purchased 160 acres in the San
Pasqual Rancho area, known as "the place where every tree is pleasant to the sight
and good for food" and began planting orchards.
In 1885, Dane and his wife Lois built their substantial ranch home from the first
lumber brought to Pasadena by steam locomotive. From the house known for many
years as "Sunnyridge on the Highlands", Dane oversaw orchard and livestock
operations on his land, which stretched north from Washington to Woodbury Road
and east from Holliston to a point midway between modern day Mar Vista and
Catalina. He grew peaches, apricots, prunes and citrus, and raised some livestock -
including about a hundred hogs - on Elizabeth Street. A driveway from Washington
to his home was lined with a double row of palm trees still visible in the backyards of
homes between Michigan and Chester.
As Pasadena grew north and east, homes were being built all around the ranch so the
Danes began selling their land a parcel at a time. In 1912, they subdivided the land
immediately adjacent to the ranch house, creating building lots on Holliston, Chester,
Michigan, Mar Vista, Denver (now Howard) and Rio Grande. The lots were sold to
members of Pasadena's prosperous business and professional class who had substantial
homes custom built on the large lots during the ensuing decades. Ezra and Lois Dane
lived in the home until their deaths in the early 1920's. Their daughter Alice and later
her grandson and his family lived in the home.
MacPherson owned much of the land bordered by New York Drive on the north and
Washington Blvd. on the south, in what is now the western part of the neighborhood.
The east/west streets were given names of the railroads: Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe
(now Elizabeth), Denver (now Howard), and Rio Grand. The names Catalina and
MarVista acknowledge the great view of the ocean at that time. MacPherson built a
home at 1075 Topeka in 1906 and was living at 1120 Atchison at the time of his death.
MacPherson teamed with famous entrepreneur Thaddeus Lowe to design and build
the Echo Mountain Incline Railway which made its first official trip on July 4th, 1893.
Four million visitors enjoyed the breathtaking views and fresh mountain air for more
than 40 years until the railway stopped operating in 1937.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES:
The earliest architectural style represented in Pasadena is Victorian, but Pasadena is
mostly associated with the Craftsman style. Many significant local architects
introduced Period and Revival style homes which were well received by
cosmopolitan residents. The Prairie style might be attributed to emigrants from the
Midwest. Indeed, the Prairie style home is quite at home next to the California
Bungalow. Both share honest craftsmanship and find inspiration in the simplicity and
beauty of nature. True to the craftsman ethic of using locally found materials, locally
grown oak and Douglas fir are used throughout the homes in Historic Highlands, as
well as art tile from Southern California's artisan community. River rock has
commonly been used for foundations and chimneys, and likely came from the Arroyo
Seco. Craftsman and Prairie homes were reactions to the industrialization and heavy,
non-functional ornamentation of Victorians.
The architectural details in the homes of Historic Highlands find inspiration from all
over the world. Influential local architects Greene & Greene were inspired by the
Japonaiserie movement when they visited the World's Columbian Exhibition in
Chicago in 1893. In the 1920's, American architecture was influenced by both
European and early American architecture. Not necessarily faithful reproductions,
Period revival homes liberally borrowed attractive or romanticized elements. The
European flair of Period revival homes suggested the culture and prestige of its
residents. Futhermore, in Southern California, Period revival movements represent a
reaction against the dark organic interiors of the Craftsman style in favor of brightly
lit and open rooms. Colonial revival reflects national pride and became popular
following the country's 1876 Centennial. Similarly, the Mission revival style
recognizes early California's cultural heritage and was popularized following the
Panama-California Exposition in San Diego in 1915.
Today Historic Highlands is a combination of many different architectural styles and
cultures.
Aerial photo circa 1919 shows the area developed by the Dane Family.
Chester curves through what was once an orchard just East of the Dane
Farmhouse ending at the Chester triangle.
Chester curves through what was once an orchard just East of the Dane
Farmhouse ending at the Chester triangle.
