In the mid-1800s, a great many people were drawn to the fabulous land of California, lured by the promise of sunshine, opportunity – and, of course, gold. Among those who came to the valley of the San Gabrielino Indians were families from the Midwest, cultured professional New England men and their families, and adventurers from around the globe. By the early 1880s, the Los Angeles area was poised for growth and development as the westward expansion of competing railroads made the cross-country fare affordable to nearly everyone. With visitors arriving daily, seeking escape from the harsh winters of the East and Midwest, communities throughout Southern California were, themselves, expanding. The resulting financial and real estate boom brought land speculators, investors and scores of new homeowners to Alhambra.

Among the historical figures who have played key roles in the establishment of Alhambra’s civic identity were Benjamin (“Don Benito”) Wilson, a powerful landowner whose holdings encompassed much of what is now known as the San Gabriel Valley – and, in fact, much of Southern California. Citrus grower and entrepreneur, Francis Q. Story lived here, and was a pioneer in bringing the California citrus industry to national prominence by through the creation and promotion of the Sunkist brand. During the early-to-mid 20th Century, Alhambra was home to a prolific community of artists that included such names as Frank Tenney Johnson, Sam Hyde Harris, Clyde Forsythe and Florence Upson Young. Norman Rockwell painted in a studio in Forsythe’s home on Almansor Street which served, for many years, as his west coast work space.

A "City of Homes"

Turn-of-the-Century promotional materials extolled the virtues of Alhambra as a "City of Homes." Indeed, historic photographs reveal street after street of elegant homes. Census records from the time show that many early Alhambrans hailed from Illinois, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. These new residents built for themselves homes that reflected their new surroundings, including many in the Arts & Crafts tradition which celebrated the integration of indoor living space with nature and the surrounding landscape.

Early photographs of Alhambra homes built during the late teens and early 20's also reveal an eclectic mix of architectural styles from Spanish castles to Moorish palaces adorned with elegant overhanging gardens. And, like many other towns established at the turn of the 20th century, Alhambra also had a large collection of Victorian homes as well.

Of those, only classic 1910-1930 bungalows have survived including Spanish Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial. Italian Beaux-arts-styled residences, and of course, a wonderful collection of quintessential Arts and Crafts bungalows.

Several pockets and potentially historic districts are scattered throughout the city such as Ramona Park (1909), Mayfair (1927), Emery Park, Midwick (1940), and the Bean Tract (1, where a prominent citrus fruit industry prospered until the early 1950s.

Sadly, where some of Alhambra’s the first homes and businesses stood, in the area flanking Main Street on the north and south, there remain primarily condos and apartments. The few historic homes (circa 1907-1911) still standing are at constant risk of demolition.