Claudia Heller - Duarte Chronicles

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2013 by Claudia Heller and Alan Heller

All rights reserved

All photos by Alan Heller unless otherwise noted.

First published 2013

e-book edition 2013

Manufactured in the United States

ISBN 978.1.61423.939.0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Heller, Claudia.

Duarte chronicles / Claudia Heller.

pages cm

print edition ISBN 978-1-60949-882-5

1. Duarte (Calif.)--History--Anecdotes. I. Title.

F869.D78H45 2013

979.493--dc23

2013016019

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

In loving memory of Beau Garrett Heller

CONTENTS

Five-term mayor Margaret Finlay has championed many causes over the years that have resulted in the envied quality of life Duarte residents enjoy. She is a tireless volunteer promoting education, environmental issues and Duartes status in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Courtesy of the City of Duarte.

FOREWORD

As a member of a family that has had four generations living in Duarte for the last several decades with grandparents who settled here in the San Gabriel Valley in the 1930s, I know that once people live in Duarte, they always consider it home. Maybe its the proximity to the base of our beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, or maybe its the people who moved here and have created their lives here for generations. Then again, maybe its the willingness by so many to serve their neighborhoods so selflessly. Whatever the reasons, you will find in the pages of this book a cast of characters as fascinating and eclectic as any heroes in our countrys history.

Having served as mayor of Duarte for five terms, I have traveled the Los Angeles area for many years meeting thousands of people. These Southern Californians have read Claudias accounts of Duarte life and lifestyles in the newspaper. Almost without exception, they remark that Duarte has had more than its share of colorful characters, historic adventures and dynamic conditions that have proved again and again the verity of the popular phrase that reverberates through our community: Duarte Is Our Kind of Town. Prepare to be touched and taught by these intriguing vignettes that Claudia has so lovingly written. Duarte is a place, but the people truly make it my home.

MARGARET FINLAY

Mayor of Duarte

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My thanks to the good people of Duarte who always step up when I need information or leads. The city staff, city council, school board and many service organizations and specialty clubs have always been there to help.

Over the years, many old-time Duarteans have shared their stories about the events that have shaped our community. These memories remain alive in the interviews they have granted.

Duartes historical and contemporary events are captured on film by the staff at DCTV, Duartes Public Access Channel, and the many shows produced by Mary Somerlott and the Reverend Neal Earle. Station Manager Levon Y, with his trusty camera and ROP student crew, has documented Duarte events for years and shared them with the public on television and online.

Living quietly on a ranch in the Siskiyou County town of Happy Camp, my sister, Karen Garrett, graciously proofed this book for me, and for that I am indebted.

The San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group has printed my columns since 1991, allowing me to share with my readers about the people, events, wildlife and history of our community on a biweekly basis.

Special thanks to those who possess a keen memory of Duartes history and are always there to share. Among them are Bill and Nita Norgard, Bruce and Mariellen Staller, Irwin Margiloff, Mark and Pauline Montgomery, Jack Collins and Jim Kirchner. And, of course, historian Steve Baker is always quick to share his vast knowledge of local history.

Birder extraordinaire Kimball Garrett, ornithologist and collections manager at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, has led numerous expeditions along the San Gabriel River and adjacent lands, volunteering his time and expertise to educate the public about the natural history of the Duarte area. His skill has been invaluable, and my thanks go to himthanks Bro!

Finally, a heap of gratitude goes to The History Press for recognizing the value of preserving local history, not only ancient history but also contemporary events and the people who are presently making history.

INTRODUCTION

Who am I to write about Duarte? Growing up under the D in the Hollywood sign with Griffith Park as my backyard, I had never heard of the town. Two miles up into Beachwood Canyon, my childhood home seemed worlds away from civilization, although I often walked to Hollywood High School, strolling along the famed Hollywood Boulevard. The Valley to me was the San Fernando Valley, and the existence of the San Gabriel Valley eluded me. It wasnt until 1980, when I moved to Duarte with my husband and three small children, that I discovered the beautiful San Gabriel Valley.

When we settled in a town of which we had never heard, little did we know that near the end of that year, Duarte would suffer one of its biggest disasters.

Soon we heard about Fish Canyon Falls, located in the canyon behind our neighborhood, and the City of Hope, which had worldwide recognition. We fell in love with the foothills to our north and the San Gabriel River to our east. Quite quickly, this valley became The Valley, and the San Fernando Valley took on the role of the Other Valley. In those early years, there remained some citrus orchards and avocado fields, acreage soon to be filled with homes and townhouses, all loosely straddling the main street, the Mother Road, Route 66.

GETTING TO KNOW DUARTE

A first on our list was a visit to the Duarte Historical Museum, which at the time was located in a trailer in Duarte Park. Since that time, the patch of land where the museum was located has become the subject of a trade and is now occupied by car dealerships. On our visit, the trailer door was locked, but after a few knocks, the docent invited us in. She was none other than Victoria Duarte Cordova, the great-great-granddaughter of Andres Duarte, the towns namesake. Cheerful and animated, she asked us to call her Vicki.

The original Duarte Historical Museum was lost in a land trade. Above is the structure that currently serves as the Duarte Historical Museum in Encanto Park, which was once the home of Buron Rogers Fitts (March 22, 1895March 29, 1973), who served as the ninety-seventh lieutenant governor of California and later as a Los Angeles County district attorney. The house was located on the corner of Royal Oaks Drive and Cotter and was moved to Encanto Park when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints purchased the original property in order to build its church.