01/11/2025
Our hearts are with everyone in Los Angeles area experiencing the devastation of the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire. We are especially thinking of the residents of Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane. Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane served as the inspiration for the expansion of our very own Christmas Tree Lane from 10 families to the hundreds it is today. We are relieved to learn that although Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane sustained major damage, it largely survived the Eaton Fire. News coverage showed at least one home along the Lane in flames. Our thoughts are with the community of Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane as they rebuild.
Per the Fresno Historical Society, "In December 1920, Mrs. W.P. (Mae) Winning, wife of local dentist William Winning, lighted the cedar tree in front of her Van Ness Boulevard home in memory of her young son, William โBillyโ Hobart Winning who had tragically passed away at the age of 14 in an accident on the property. After admiring Mrs. Winningโs beautiful tree, members of the Fig Garden Womanโs Club and other residents of the boulevard took up the idea of outdoor decorations as a project and decided to light their trees.
By 1928, ten families participated. In 1930, Dr. W.W. Leslie saw outdoor decorations used in Altadena, Los Angeles County, as a community project. With some other members of the Fig Garden Menโs Club he came to the womanโs club and volunteered to help organize displays throughout the neighborhood. In December 1930, the first official Christmas Tree Lane opened with thirty lighted trees stretching one quarter of a mile along the boulevard. Each year, the number of lighted trees grew."
Photo by Melissa Michelson
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