The Altadena Historical Society is hosting a sidewalk walking tour of the 900 block of Mariposa Street between Lake and Maiden Lane, including a docent-led tour of the interior of a magnificent, fully restored craftsman house, pictured here in 1913.  The home of Altadena historian and artist Sarah Noble Ives will also be open for touring.

Whereas affordable craftsman style ready-cut 800 to 1200 square foot houses from Sears, Aladdin and other builders dotted the suburban landscape beginning as early as 1900, large, exclusively appointed bungalows like the 1912 Chamberlain house were custom designed interpretations of the craftsman ideal on a larger scale. The architect is unknown, however, based on some similarities in the design, there is speculation that it may have been designed by one of the numerous architects who apprenticed under Charles and Henry Greene- perhaps Buchanan and Brockway.

The block was home to some of Altadena’s wealthiest and most influential families, including the fabulously rich Altadena Green and her polo playing husband Robert Neustadt, socialite Effie Neustadt, Dr. and Mrs. Fred Markham and historian Sara Noble Ives. Architecturally, the houses range from a modest cottage designed by Charles and Henry Greene, to a country estate attributed to Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, to a long lost Wallace Neff house.  

These houses, along with stories, a little gossip, and a scandalous mystery about a copycat Lindbergh-style kidnapping scheme will be featured on the tour.   

To find out more about AHS visit us on the web at www.altadenahistoricalsociety.org or call 626-797-8016  or email us: altadenahistoricalsociety@yahoo.com