Altadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Farnsworth Park
Works Progress Administration
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 19, 2024
1. Farnsworth Park Marker
marker at amphitheater:
Built by United States Works Progress Administration - 1938.
marker at basketball courts:
Improved by Works Progress Administration - 1937.
Erected 1937 by Works Progress Administration; and County of Los Angeles.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 34° 12.041′ N, 118° 7.886′ W. Marker is in Altadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from the intersection of Mount Curve Avenue East and Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Located in Farnsworth Park at the Amphitheater stage. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 568 Mount Curve Ave E, Altadena CA 91001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles 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: Holmes House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mount Lowe Scenic Railway (approx. ¼ mile away); Cobb Estate (approx. ¼ mile away); MacPherson Parkway
this page online
Regarding Farnsworth Park. Farnsworth Park is a Los Angeles County park established in Altadena, CA, four miles north of Pasadena, in 1934. Its 15 acres contain covered and open picnic tables, barbecue pits, baseball diamonds, a basketball court, tennis (now pickle ball) courts, a bocce ball area and a children’s playground. The park’s northeast corner features its original 1934 recreation building and a wooden bench amphitheater added in 1938; both are still actively in use.
After serving first as a reforestation nursery run by the LA County Forestry Dept. from 1916 until 1929, the Altadena Citizens’ Association championed the construction of a public park and recreation center on the then 8-acre site. Association member and retired U.S. General Charles S. Farnsworth was the driving force behind the successful effort, leading to its dedication in his name in 1939. Construction of the park began in December
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Farnsworth Park - Second Marker
Located at the basketball courts.
In 1997 the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
-from Livingnewdeal.org
Update: The William D. Davies Memorial Building was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025.
Additional keywords. Davies Memorial Building, Eaton Fire, Southern California Wildfires
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 20, 2024
3. Farnsworth Park Marker
Located on the low retaining wall at the Amphitheater stage.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 20, 2024
4. Farnsworth Park - Second Marker
Located at the basketball courts, behind a hedge.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 20, 2024
5. William D. Davies Memorial Building
The Farnsworth Park recreation building.
Destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025.
Destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 20, 2024
6. William D. Davies Memorial Building
The Farnsworth Park Recreation Building.
Photographed by Craig Baker
7. CCC Inscription
Written in concrete near the northwest corner of the baseball diamond: “Tuna Canyon CCC Co. 902 10/22/36”
Photographed by Craig Baker
8. CCC Inscription Location
At the end of the chain-link fence.
Photographed by Craig Baker
9. Incense Cedars Marker
“Incense Cedars, Dedicated Sept 26, 1938, Don Benito Wilson Chapter, Daughters American Colonists”
Photographed by Craig Baker
10. Incense Cedars and Marker
Located at the southwest corner of the park.
Photographed by Craig Baker
11. Farnsworth Park Detail
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 20, 2024
12. Farnsworth Park
William D. Davies Memorial Building
Photographed by Craig Baker, January 28, 2025
13. William D. Davies Memorial Building
The Farnsworth Park recreation building.
Destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025.
Destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,198 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on March 20, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 13. submitted on January 27, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
