Verdugo Woodlands in Glendale in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Verdugo Wash Channel
And Road Bridges
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 7, 2025
1. Verdugo Wash Channel Marker
Built by United States Work Projects Administration - 1940.
Erected 1940 by Work Projects Administration.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 34° 11.443′ N, 118° 13.624′ W. Marker is in Glendale, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Verdugo Woodlands. It is on Verdugo Road north of Oakwood Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glendale CA 91208, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley the San Fernando Valley, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Glorietta 69/12kV Substation (approx. Ό mile away); San Rafael Rancho (approx. 0.8 miles away); Oak of Peace (approx. 0.8 miles away); Potts Building (approx. one mile away); Shopping Bag (approx. one mile away); Rocky Cola Cafι (approx. one mile away); Safeway (approx. one mile away); Baskin-Robbins (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glendale.
Regarding Verdugo Wash Channel. This marker location originally had a view of the historic wash and road bridges. The view is now blocked
this page online
The six-mile concrete Verdugo Wash Channel was constructed by Works Progress Administration (WPA) crews under Army Corps of Engineers supervision between 1935 and 1937.
The Verdugo Wash wends through Glendale, carrying rainwater from the northern foothills to the Los Angeles River. In 1933, wildfires in the San Gabriel Mountains stripped the landscape of chaparral and created significant quantities of loose earth, leaving the cities in the Crescenta Valley vulnerable to floods. On January 1, 1934, after weeks of torrential rain, mud, debris, and water roared into the local communities (La Crescenta, Montrose, La Canada, and Glendale) causing the death of 40 people, as well as significant property damage and destruction. Soon after, with funding from the federal government and the state, work began to improve the Verdugo Wash and construct flood control channels, conduits, and debris basins.
The WPA widened a six-mile segment of the Verdugo Wash from 43 to 85 feet in 1935. By 1937, they had lined the wash with concrete. Channelization was a pillar of the massive flood-control project undertaken by the LA County Flood Control District in collaboration with the Corps.
A number of bridges that cross over the channel were also New Deal projects, with
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 7, 2025
2. Verdugo Wash Channel Marker
Nothing nearby except a modern sidewalk and roadway.
-from LivingNewDeal.org
Additional keywords. Mountain St. Bridge, San Fernando Rd. Bridge, Concord St. Bridge, Kenilworth Ave. Bridge, Geneva St. Bridge, Glenoaks Blvd. Bridge, Lower Canada Blvd Bridge, Opechee Way Bridge, Upper Canada Blvd Bridge, Wabasso Way Bridge
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 7, 2025
3. Verdugo Wash Channel and Road Bridge
The view from the marker is now blocked by mature trees.
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 7, 2025
4. Glorietta Park
Near the marker and the wash, with a reservoir underneath
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 37 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
