I lived in Altadena during the massive fires of January 2025. My community was flattened as well as the Pacific Palisades. One house on our property was lost and the adjacent ADU (additional dwelling unit) where I lived was damaged but survived. We received an evacuation order at 3:30 am on January 7th and I hurriedly escaped to my daughter’s house in the Valley. Our cul de sac was on fire son afterward.
Over 12,000 homes, businesses, and structures were lost in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and other areas of L.A. when 70 – 100 mile per hour Santa Ana winds ravaged L.A. County. This includes schools, 100 + year old churches, temples, historical markers, treasured restaurants, and more
Below is a running list (to be updated) of iconic landmarks we lost.
Eaton Fire – Altadena
Altadena has historical significance. It is one of the first areas of Los Angeles where blacks were welcomed after being turned away from purchasing homes in Pasadena and other areas of Los Angeles. It has been the home of many activists, artists, community leaders, and even a few outlaws.
It is nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains north of Pasadena and was originally Tongva Indian Territory.
Read more about Altadena history here.
The Bunny Museum in Altadena was a quirky and much loved little museum with a large collection of bunny memorabilia.
Altadena Country Club dates back to 1910. It had two nine-hole courses and was used for special events and meetings.
The Rand McNally House was owned by the famous publisher Rand McNally. The 22-room mansion was built in 1887 and designed by architect Frederick Roehrig in the Queen Anne style.
The Zane Grey Estate was a 1907 Mediterranean Revival mansion owned by writer Zane Grey. It was said to be the first fireproof home in Altadena and was built of reinforced concrete. Sadly, it was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
The Zorthian Ranch was a haven for artists and bohemians in Altadena for over 70 years. Jirayr Zorthian was a Turkish Armenian and a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. He was an artist and sculptor.
Scripps Hall and the home of the Pasadena Waldorf School was built in 1904 by Architect Charles W. Buchanan in the Arts and Crafts Craftsman style and was built by William Armiger Scripps.
Christmas Tree Lane on Santa Rosa in Altadena has hosted a Christmas lighting display for 140 years. City founder Frederick Woodbury planted 150 deodar cedar trees on the block in 1885. The cedar trees miraculously survived and protected most of the homes on the street.
Farnsworth Park and the Davies Memorial Building. The cobblestone Davies building and the park were destroyed in the fire. The building was constructed in 1934 adjacent to the amphitheater that hosted many concerts and musical productions. It will be sorely missed.
Pacific Palisades Fire
The Pacific Palisades was home to many celebrities and notables who lost multi-million dollar mansions including Mandy Moore, Anna Faris, Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges, Bozoma Saint John, Mel Gibson, Billy Crystal, Eugene Levy, Diane Warren, Maria Shriver, Steve Guttenberg, and others. But they were not the only ones. Those less fortunate who lived in nearby areas lost their homes as well.
Will Rogers Ranch House and other historic buildings in Will Rogers State Park. Will Rogers was a cowboy entertainer. He lived in the house from 1928 – until he died in 1935. It was a 31-room home with a polo field nearby in the park.
Topanga Ranch Hotel in Topanga State Park was built in 1929 by newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst.
Villa de Leon was located near the Getty Villa in Malibu, Villa de Leon is a 35-room historic estate designed by local architect Kenneth MacDonald Jr. The home has been used as a filming location for several music videos and advertisements, including Beyoncé’s “Haunted,” “Love On” by Selena Gomez, and “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga. Thankfully, the Getty Villa survived.
Reel Inn was an iconic roadside seafood restaurant, It was known for its fresh fish and laid-back coastal atmosphere and has been a staple along the Pacific Coast Highway for decades.
Moonshadows was another cherished Malibu restaurant in the area since the 1960s.
Rosenthal Wine Bar was a popular watering spot for locals, serving wines grown in the canyons of Malibu.
My Personal Experience in Altadena – Video
In the short video below, I take you through our damage during the Eaton fire in Altadena while trying to stay positive.
I am so happy you are okay. I am praying for everyone having to suffer through these fires. I wrote you earlier about Mary’s Cafe / Market in Sierra Madre. I hope it still exists! God bless you and yours in these difficult times!
Thanks, Matt. It is devastating. I think Sierra Madre is okay but not sure.
Beyond sad. Stay safe, Rebecca. So poignant to see these wonderful properties swept away by fire. One more place in the world to make us cry.
Thanks, Laurie. It’s so awful but we are coping.
All so very heartbreaking.
It’s like Armageddon. But the community has come together and are amazing!
Entire neighborhoods gutted, landmarks gone, so many folks will have to start over again. I feel so sad for folks whose lives are upended and may never fully recover.
It’s tragic. We are lucky to have one house survive with damages. But all our stuff is fine. My friend, who owns the property and lives next store lost everything.
Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. I appreciate the honesty and authenticity you bring to every post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thanks, I’m glad you appreciated it.