My dad grew up in Highland Park . . . first on Avenue 63, then Avenue 57, back in the 1930’s-1950’s. He lived south of Figueroa Boulevard and right next to the Arroyo Seco Freeway. Back then, the neighborhood was still called “Garvanza” (originally named for the garbanzo bean plants that once grew there) and you could still pick blackberries high up on the hills of South Pasadena, across the way.
As a kid, he attended Garvanza Elementary School and delivered newspapers, walking up and down the hilly streets in the early morning cold. Benner Street was his hub for hanging out with boyhood buddies. Of course, most of this is greatly changed now. But the original school building still stands and remains a very vital part of the community. My dad once recalled a memory of daily walks to that school (as a five-year-old kindergartner accompanied by his older brother). What a trek it must have been – climbing up the steep blocks to the business district along Figueroa Boulevard, crossing through traffic all along the route.
These days, Garvanzans are working hard to emerge from under the bigger umbrella of Highland Park. The area has been designated historic. Speaking of history, the old photo below captures a rainy moment during the great floods of 1938.
Feel free to post comments, personal anecdotes, or any information/images about the Garvanza neighborhood you might like to share!
