La Cañada History: Kids ride a miniature backyard railroad

Ten Years Ago

A La Cañada High School senior shot in the face during an after-prom party at a residence on Greencrest Road was in stable condition at Huntington Memorial Hospital 10 years ago this week, as investigators continued tracking down clues that would lead them to the shooter. Some of the party-goers reported that several South Pasadena High School students had shown up uninvited at the location and a fight erupted. The following week, it was reported in the Valley Sun that a 17-year-old South Pasadena student was arrested on that campus and charged in the shooting.

Twenty Years Ago

Julie Miller was named Miss La Cañada Flintridge during the first major event of the 1993 Fiesta Days celebration. Serving on her court were Erin Caswell, Monica Schwarze and January Poulsen.

Thirty Years Ago

The La Cañada Flintridge City Council turned down a Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to purchase land from Caltrans to use as a mini park. The 49,000-square-foot parcel was adjacent to a home in the 4300 block of La Granada Way and was deemed by the council to be too close to the 2 (Glendale) and 210 (Foothill) freeways. Council members cited concerns about exhaust coming from the freeways, as well as a lack of enough space to provide parking spots for those who might want to drive to the recreational area.

Forty Years Ago

La Cañada Valley Beautiful, the local chamber of commerce and the La Cañada Flintridge Development Committee joined forces to register a formal complaint demanding that Southern California Edison removed the “unsightly” power poles lining Foothill Boulevard and place the high voltage lines underground.

Fifty Years Ago

Fred Hauter, owner of Hauter Ford in Montrose, enlisted the help of friends and created a miniature railroad in his Gould Avenue backyard for the enjoyment of his sons and their friends. The project took about six months to realize. Once the railroad was installed and operating, Hauter announced plans to expand the tracks to give the youngsters a longer ride.

Sixty Years Ago

The La Cañada Thursday Club held its annual installation ceremony, a formal affair during which Miss Lula Hills Lanterman passed the gavel to the incoming president, Mrs. Dan. W. Green. It was reported that the latter appeared in the flower-bedecked clubhouse wearing a gown of pink lace.

-- Carol Cormaci, carol.cormaci@latimes.com

Follow @CarolCormaci on Twitter.