The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has officially established the Historic Highlands Historic District in Altadena, marking the first time the county has designated a historic district under its own preservation ordinance. Effective July 9, the legal action provides formal protection to 77 homes within the unincorporated community, capping a campaign that began in 2019.
Establishing Architectural Protections
The new district includes a collection of homes built between 1905 and 1959. These structures feature architectural styles representative of early Southern California, including Craftsman, American Foursquare, Tudor Revival, and Spanish Colonial Revival. The protected area spans portions of East Woodbury Road, New York Drive, Atchison Street, North Mar Vista Avenue, and North Catalina Avenue, located just north of Pasadena’s existing Historic Highlands district.
While Los Angeles is no stranger to preservation—think the city’s Historic-Cultural Monuments or neighborhoods like Angelino Heights—this is the first instance of the county government creating a historic district specifically for an unincorporated community under its own ordinance. According to county officials, the designation is the result of years of advocacy by residents, preservationists, and the Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association.
Did You Know?
The Historic Highlands Historic District is the first of its kind in Altadena and the first ever designated under the Los Angeles County historic preservation ordinance.
Post-Fire Recovery and Future Preservation
The designation follows the early-2025 Eaton Fire, which destroyed more than 9,000 structures, most significantly in Altadena. Although the Historic Highlands neighborhood largely avoided direct damage, the disaster served as a catalyst for the community to prioritize the preservation of its architectural identity. Advocates have highlighted the district as a method to safeguard early-20th-century homes while the wider Altadena area undergoes the rebuilding process.
For homeowners, the status requires that property changes remain compatible with the neighborhood’s historical aesthetic. County leadership indicated that they intend for this district to serve as a model for future preservation efforts across unincorporated Los Angeles County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new historic district designation do?
It establishes design review standards for 77 homes in the area to ensure that future renovations and new construction remain compatible with the neighborhood’s historic character.
Which architectural styles are protected?
The district protects homes built between 1905 and 1959, including Craftsman, American Foursquare, Tudor Revival, and Spanish Colonial Revival styles.
Why was this designation pursued now?
The effort reflects a campaign led by the Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association that began in 2019, gaining urgency after the 2025 Eaton Fire highlighted the risk of losing architectural identity during widespread community rebuilding.
How might these new design standards influence the ongoing recovery efforts in other parts of Altadena?
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