Crescenta Highlands in Glendale in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Anderson W. Clark

The Good Angel

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 16, 2025

1. Anderson W. Clark Marker

Inscription.
In 1922, Anderson W. Clark, a retired Baptist minister and humanitarian, came to the Crescenta Valley. His plans to quietly retire were quickly altered. As the Great Depression began, Dr. Clark founded an organization, Crescenta Valley Welfare, which quietly and anonymously helped those impacted by the Depression. Dr. Clark became known as the “Good Angel” through his selfless works.

On New Year's Day 1934, a flood hit the Crescenta Valley destroying many homes including Dr. Clark's house and killing his daughter. Despite this enormous personal loss, he carried on helping others through the devastation.

Clark's impulse to serve came from strong roots. Born in 1852 in Illinois, Clark was the first person to receive a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Nebraska. He founded many welfare organizations, most of which addressed the needs of children. Dr. Clark later became an advisor to President Theodore Roosevelt, helping him in his early work to establish the National Children's Bureau. During World War I, Clark served as the oldest Red Cross leader in France.

Following his death

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in 1938, a groundswell of community support resulted in the renaming of La Crescenta Junior High School in his honor. In 1961, the original Anderson W. Clark Junior High site was converted to Crescenta Valley High School and a new Anderson W. Clark Junior High was built on this ground where it operated until 1983.

Following major renovation, Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School was opened on September 9, 1998 continuing to honor Dr. Clark's lifetime of service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 9, 1998.

Location. 34° 14.244′ N, 118° 15.229′ W. Marker is in Glendale, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Crescenta Highlands. It is on New York Avenue 0.3 miles north of Foothill Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4747 New York Ave, La Crescenta CA 91214, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley,

in Greater Los Angeles,

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 16, 2025

2. Anderson W. Clark Marker

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ananda Ashrama (approx. 0.6 miles away); Crescenta Valley Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); The McFall Oak (approx. 0.9 miles away); Tuna Canyon Detention Station (approx. one mile away); The Bell of La Crescenta Elementary School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sister Elsie’s Well (approx. 1½ miles away); St. Luke’s of the Mountains (approx. 1.6 miles away); Bonetto House (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glendale.

Anderson W. Clark High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 16, 2025

3. Anderson W. Clark High School

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.