Los Angeles Annexation and Establishment Period (1912-1929)
Figure 23
The Short Line Villa Tract was annexed to the City of Los Angeles as part of The Arroyo Seco Annexation on February 9, 1912. The tracts are depicted in Figures 21 and Figure 22. This annexation also included the Farmdale, Yorba and Paige Tract, Grider and Hamilton's Rose Hill Tract adjacent to Monterey Road and the Pasadena Villa Tract, a local subdivision that extended south from the Arroyo Seco. Designed in the Craftsman style, the Sierra Vista School was built in the Short Line Villa Tract in 1913, shortly after annexation. The school is depicted in Figure 23 below. The funds for construction came from the Los Angeles City school system.
Soon after Bairdstown was annexed to the City of Los Angeles on June 10, 1915, the Bairdstown Improvement Association changed its name to the Northeast Los Angeles Improvement Association (1916). One year later (1917), the name of Bairdstown was changed to "El Sereno" meaning serene-quiet, unruffled place. With Annexation to Los Angeles, El Sereno's population began to grow, resulting in the establishment of many community facilities. During the 1920s, churches, theaters, and banks were built. Schools were expanded. Many new middle-class subdivisions in Period Revival styles were built.
A small Catholic Chapel was established in El Sereno in 1921. By 1926, the parish had grown large enough to establish a small frame church at 3728 Rosemead Avenue. A new Presbyterian church was built in 1923 at Portola Avenue and Navarro Street. One of the two lots upon which the church was built was donated by the Janss Co., the other being purchased from them. The architect for this Mission Revival-style church was Henry Pierce. In 1928, the El Sereno Evangelical Lutheran Church, designed by architect Walter Hagedohm, was dedicated. Services, previously held at the Cameo Theater, now moved to the new building at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Twining Street.
Two new theaters provided local entertainment. A one-story theatre and brick store building, erected on Huntington Drive in 1922, was designed by architect A. Godfrey Bailey. The Cameo Theatre, along with stores and offices, was built in 1924, with J.T. Payne as the architect. Young families with growing children required more classroom space. The El Sereno School was enlarged in 1924 by the architectural firm of Monaco & Bordeaux. An addition to the Farmdale School was also built that same year. A final statement of civic cohesion and local pride was the fire station and municipal building. Built in 1927, it was located on the northwest corner of Rosemead Avenue and Huntington Drive.
A branch of the Bank of Alhambra, designed by architect Lester Squire, was built at 4900 Huntington Drive in 1924 to serve the needs of depositors in the area of primary residential development. This development was centered along Huntington Drive between Collis Avenue and Farnsworth Avenues from the hills on the north to Gambier/Allen street on the south as depicted in Figure 24. Other areas of concentrated development were the Rose Hill/Omaha Heights areas adjacent to Lincoln Heights and the Sierra Vista area. A one-block-deep development strip on the north side of Huntington Drive tied Sierra Vista to central El Sereno.
Clubs and organizations also developed in El Sereno. By the mid-1920s, the Masons, Eastern Star, Knights of Columbus, El Sereno Athletic Club, Odd Fellows, and Garfield Study Club (founded 1924) were providing opportunities for social interaction and philanthropy. The Van Horne Improvement Association was holding meetings at the El Sereno School while the El Sereno-Farmdale Improvement Association held its meetings at the Farmdale School.
Figure 21 El Sereno land-tracts in Arroyo Seco Annnexation
El Sereno land-tracts that were part of the Arroyo Seco Annexation. Rose Hill was a small land-tract as seen on the left side of the map.
Figure 22
The Arroyo Seco and Bairdstown Annexation. Portion of Arroyo Seco Annexation included northern El Sereno.
Bairdstown, 1900s
El Sereno, originally named Bairdstown after the area's primary real estate agent and resident, George Baird, was laid out along what is presently Huntington Drive. Huntington Drive was the route of the second Pacific Electric line from Los Angeles to Pasadena. Shortly after its name changed in 1915, El Sereno was annexed to the City of Los Angeles.
Figure 24
A branch of the Bank of Alhambra, designed by architect Lester Squire, was built at 4900 Huntington Drive in 1924 to serve the needs of depositors in the area of primary residential development. This development was centered along Huntington Drive between Collis Avenue and Farnsworth Avenues from the hills on the north to Gambier/Allen street on the south as depicted in Figure 24. Other areas of concentrated development were the Rose Hill/Omaha Heights areas adjacent to Lincoln Heights and the Sierra Vista area. A one-block-deep development strip on the north side of Huntington Drive tied Sierra Vista to central El Sereno.
Arroyo Seco and Bairdstown Annexations
Map shows the annexation of the Arroyo Seco Addition on Feb 9, 1912 and the Bairdstown Addition in June 10, 1915. Most of the Arroyo Seco Addition area above the Bairdstown Addition was originally part of Rancho Rosa de Castilla, as can be seen in the 1858 map made by U.S. Surveyor General by Henry Hancock.
Arroyo Seco and Bairdstown Annexations
Maps below show the annexation of the Arroyo Seco Addition on Feb 9, 1912 and the Bairdstown Addition in June 10, 1915. Most of the Arroyo Seco Addition area above the Bairdstown Addition was originally part of Rancho Rosa de Castilla, as can be seen in the 1858 map made by U.S. Surveyor General by Henry Hancock.
Before Bairdstown - Rancho Rosa de Castilla Map
Most of the Arroyo Seco Addition area above the Bairdstown Addition was originally part of Rancho Rosa de Castilla, as can be seen in the 1858 map made by U.S. Surveyor General by Henry Hancock.
Eastern Avenue was El Sereno Avenue
Map of El Sereno 1922. Eastern Ave used to be called El Sereno Ave ALL THE WAY to Alhambra Ave (Now Valley Blvd). To see and zoom into map click on Link:Online Archive of CA- Maps Of Los Angeles
Cameo Theater
El Cameo, based on the movie that is playing, this is 1971 (courtesy of LincolnHeightsLA.com)]
Cameo Theater today
The Historic Cameo Theater, now a renovated $.99 store, along with stores and offices. Photo courtesy of Councilman Jose Huizar.
Cameo Theater 1955
Classic CAMEO Theater has served our community for generations. To read more about the historic theater's history, go to CAMEO THEATER
Fire Station 47
A final statement of civic cohesion and local pride was the fire station and municipal building. Built in 1927, it was located on the northwest corner of Rosemead Avenue and Huntington Drive. Source- L.A. Fire Department Historical Archives
Firestation 47
Photos of the old Fire Station No. 47 with crew members in El Sereno.
Firestation 47
Engine Company No. 47, 4927 Huntington Drive North 1977.
New FireStation 47
After damage from an earthquake left the original FireStation 47 unusable, a new station was built on the corner of South Huntington Drive and Monterey Road.
The old Fire Station location today.
Barrio Action now occupies the location of the old Fire Station No. 47. It also the location for Councilman Kevin de Leon's El Sereno Office.