Northridge in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Earthquake Garden
Lauretta Wasserstein Sculpture Garden
| — | “Post-Tension” | — |
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 5, 2018
1. Sculpture Garden Marker
On January 17, 1994, Los Angeles and the surrounding region experienced a 6.7 magnitude earthquake centered in Northridge. To commemorate the rebuilding of the region and CSUN, we created the sculpture garden incorporating remnants of the collapsed Parking Structure C.
An earthquake is the shifting of land, a force of nature that affects the natural, built, and economic landscape. In this garden, with the concept of seismic rings and shifted land, we are presenting the earthquake in the landscape and paying homage to these powerful forces of nature.
This garden stands as a testament to the human strength and courage to overcome the natural disaster that gripped this region.
Marjorie Berkson Sievers, Artist
Paul Lewis, Landscape Architect
Erected 2003 by California State University Northridge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Education • Man-Made Features. A significant historical date for this entry is January 17, 1994.
Location. 34° 14.22′ N, 118° 31.681′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Northridge.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (within shouting distance of this marker); Orange Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); Chaparral Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Botanic Garden (about 700 feet away); The Storm at Valley State (approx. 0.2 miles away); CSUN Flagpole (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frank Knapp Sr. (approx. one mile away); Historical Timeline of the San Fernando Valley
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 5, 2018
2. Sculpture Garden Marker
More about this marker. The marker was removed during remodeling and its location is unknown. There are still a few tribute plaques.
Regarding Earthquake Garden.
The garden is located on the south end of the university, near Nordhoff Street and Lindley Avenue. The earthquake, with the epicenter just one mile from here, damaged every one of the 107 buildings on the CSUN campus. Rebuilding cost over 400 million dollars.
The artist has two art degrees from California State University Northridge.
The garden is named for a health sciences professor who died of breast cancer in 1989. Her family and friends helped pay for the installation.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — The 1971 Sylmar Earthquake is related to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.
Additional keywords. Earthquake Garden, Northridge Earthquake, 1994 Earthquake
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 5, 2018
3. Sculpture Garden and Marker
Marker is at lower left, hidden behind bamboo. In 2022 the bamboo was removed along with the marker.
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Earthquake Garden Marker
This plaque is also missing.
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 5, 2018
5. “Column Under Pressure”
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 5, 2018
6. Sculpture Garden Stairs
These stairs were removed along with the marker in 2022.
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 5, 2018
7. “Seismic Rings”
1994
8. Parking Structure Damaged by Earthquake
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 23, 2022
9. Tribute Plaque
This marker is still in its original location.
Photographed by Craig Baker
10. Newspaper Headline - January 18, 1994
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2018. This page has been viewed 5,491 times since then and 462 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on January 16, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 6, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 9. submitted on October 25, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 10. submitted on January 16, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
