History of Glendale, CA

 

In 1798 Corporal Jose Maria Berdugo (later changed to Verdugo) established title to the Rancho San Rafael. The Rancho included most of present day Glendale, Burbank, Eagle Rock and Highland Park. In 1831, Jose Maria Verdugo died and passed the Rancho San Rafael to his son and daughter (Julio and Catalina). It was not until 30 years later (1861) that Julio and Catalina divided the Rancho between them. A series of smaller divisions took place until a court decision known as the "Great Partition" was made in 1871 dissolving the Rancho San Rafael. As smaller parcels were created, many homes and businesses were developed. Six individuals contributed land to create the original 150 acre townsite which was named Glendale. This was platted, filed and recorded,with the County Recorder as the "Town of Glendale" in 1887.

In 1906 the City was incorporated. It consisted of 1,486 acres. By 1920, the City had grown through nine annexations to over 7,000 acres. From 1920 to 1930, ten annexations brought the total area to 12,294 acres. The period 1930 to 1950 established many small annexations culminating in the 2,160 acre Whiting Woods and Verdugo Mountains annexations. This brought the area of the City to 15,140 acres or 23.6 square miles. Two major annexations, New York Avenue (in the La Crescenta area) and Upper Chevy Chase Canyon, and several smaller annexations enlarged the City to 29.2 square miles by 1952. Since 1952, twenty-seven annexations have occurred. The largest of these was the 662.8 acre Inter-Valley Ranch, now known as the George Dukemejian Wilderness Park Currently the City consists of 30.5 square miles

The City of Glendale is divided into 34 neighborhoods which are delineated by streets, washes, and mountain ridges. Each neighborhood has a unique history and character and as these neighborhoods developed, they combined to form the City of Glendale as we know it today.

In addition, the City of Glendale is divided into Census Tracts. These are geographical areas for statistical purposes. Tract boundaries were established cooperatively by a local committee and the United States Bureau of the Census

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The History of Brand Library

 

Leslie Coombs Brand (1859-1925), an early developer of business and banking, became a major figure in the settlement and economic growth of the Glendale area. Brand settled in the area, purchasing land overlooking the City and building a magnificent family residence that became known in the local community as "the Brand Castle." Brand went on to make his fortune in utilities, transportation, and real estate, and his name as a Glendale booster. He installed the area's first airfield on his property and established his own fleet of planes. At the time of his death, Brand was one of Glendale's wealthiest and most influential citizens. Brand partnered with Henry E. Huntington to bring the Pacific Electric Railway, or the "Red Cars," to the area. Leslie C. Brand's final, brilliant legacy to Glendale was the donation of his estate to be converted to a library and park for the use of all Glendale residents.

 

BRIEF HISTORY

The Library is housed in the mansion Brand built in 1904 named El Miradero. A gallery and recital hall was added in 1969. Located in Brand Park, high in the foothills overlooking Glendale and the San Fernando Valley, the Library serves an ever-widening public interested in the arts.

The design of El Miradero is similar to the East Indian Pavilion built for the 1893 Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago and visited by Brand. The architecture is considered Saracenic, with crenellated arches, bulbous domes and minars combining characteristics of Spanish, Moorish, and Indian styles.

Brand died in the house in 1925. He bequeathed El Miradero to the city and Mrs. Brand lived in the house until her death in 1945. The will provided that the property be used exclusively for a public park and library. By 1956 the mansion had been converted into Brand Library. Years later, in response to the need for more arts space, the City Council allocated funds to construct an addition to Brand Library that would include facilities for art exhibitions, lectures and concerts, as well as art and craft studios. The new addition was dedicated in October 1969.

Brand Park Location:
1601 West Mountain Street
Glendale, California 91201-1200
818-548-2051
818-548-5079 FAX

 

 

 

 

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