La Cañada History: Kids delighted in the jumping frogs of La Cañada playgrounds

Ten Years Ago

As former residential properties were being cleared to make way for the La Cañada Town Center, a 230,000-pound, 60-foot tall deodar cedar tree was moved from one area of the land to another, where Olberz Park would be built. “We were not required to move that tree,” the developer, Darren Mattix said. “But that deodar was so spectacular and so healthy we thought [saving it] was the right thing to do. But it wasn’t the cheapest.”

Twenty Years Ago

At the suggestion of then-Mayor Joan Feehan, the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce in the summer of 1997 offered “Shuttle Bucks” to passengers of the LCF shuttle bus, to encourage them to shop locally. The idea for the $1 coupons, good at participating businesses, sprang from a vote from the LCF City Council to extend its shuttle’s route to the Montrose Shopping Park through Aug. 29 of that year.

Thirty Years Ago

A man attempting to rob a woman in a La Cañada bank parking lot was turned away empty-handed when she opened her wallet wide to show him she had no cash. “Sorry, I don’t have any money,” she said. “I’m sorry too,” the man reportedly replied, before driving off in his compact car.

Forty Years Ago

A grand opening ceremony was held at the new Briggs Plaza, on Foothill Boulevard at Briggs Avenue. Representatives of the businesses in the center, including Valley Pool Supply, Fish Grotto and the Loft, were on hand for the festivities, as were civic leaders.

Fifty Years Ago

Frog-jumping contests were among the special events planned for the summer of 1967 recreation programs at the La Cañada elementary school campuses, then operated by the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department.

Sixty Years Ago

A total of 161 new homes, built at an average cost of $21,155, were constructed in the La Cañada and Flintridge areas during the 1956-57 fiscal year, it was announced at a meeting of the local school trustees. During the same period, 89 swimming pools were also built, at an average cost of $2,871.

Compiled from the Valley Sun archives by Carol Cormaci.