Montrose Portrait : TIGHTKNIT COMMUNITY CLINGS TO ITS INDEPENDENCE AND SMALL-TOWN PRIDE

Tucked in the foothills between the Verdugo Mountains, San Rafael Hills and the San Gabriel Mountains, the small town of Montrose is another one of California’s precious secrets.

Although part of the community lies within Glendale, Montrose clings stubbornly to its independence and heritage. “It’s a tight community,” says Frank Roberts, a businessman in town for the past 19 years. “It’s not like downtown L.A. or other places where you don’t know people who sit next to you.”

Perhaps its greatest source of civic pride is the downtown shopping area, which stretches over several blocks on narrow, tree-lined Honolulu Avenue. Montrose, in fact, stages one of the bigger Christmas parades in the Southland. Roberts said about 60,000 people attended last year’s event.

The town also serves as an ideal location for the movie industry. Among the films that have shot scenes in Montrose are: “9 to 5,” “Freddy’s Nightmare,” “Frankie and Johnny,” and “Teen Wolf.”

A Brief History

* The facts: Montrose was given its name in 1913 by settlers who immigrated to the area from Pennsylvania. It was also a favorite with rose growers and literary fans familiar with the novel, “Legend of Montrose,” by Sir Walter Scott. Montrose was officially chosen after developers stage a contest to name the new 300-acre tract, promising one of the lots as a prize.

* The fur: One of the biggest businesses in the early days was the fur industry. J.R. Thorpe’s Sierra fur farm, for example, claimed it could fill an order for 1,000 or more rabbits without much warning. Thorpe, who delivered the fresh rabbit to butcher shops, apparently made a fortune, and served some of Hollywood’s most prominent performers.

* The flood: The locals weren’t exactly in mood to celebrate the New Year as 1933 turned into 1934--that’s because their town was turning into a swamp. A huge downpour struck the mountains above the city, sending tons of water down the hills. People gathered in the American Legion clubhouse as the streets were filled with debris, rocks and wrecked cars.

The Tiniest Bowl

In 1936, a new eight-lane bowling alley opened, and, almost 60 years later, it’s still there and it still has only eight lanes.

Montrose Bowl is the “smallest in Southern California,” according to its owner, Bob Berger. While the alley offers league play four nights a week, except from Memorial Day through Labor Day, it’s often rented out for private parties, including many for the movie industry.

Vietnam Memorial

The town became one of the first in the nation to erect a Vietnam War memorial. The names of fallen local heroes have been installed on a plaque at the corner of Honolulu and Ocean View avenues.

Community Profile

Based on 1990 U.S census figures. Includes parts of Glendale, La Crescenta and La Canada-Flintridge.

Statistics Population: 8,869 Median age: 33.1 Number of households: 3,688 People per household: 2.4 Owner-occupied housing units: 95% Population below poverty level: 9.3% ***

Income

Average household income is slightly lower than the Los Angeles city average. Montrose: $40,825 Citywide average: $45,701 Northeast Valley: $44,444 Southeast Valley: $48,182 Northwest Valley: $56,427 Southwest Valley: $61,722 ***

Ethnicity White: 79% Latino: 13% Asian: 7% African American: 1% Sources: Montrose Chamber of Commerce; 1990 U.S. Census

Researched by MICHAEL ARKUSH / Los Angeles Times