10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 Years Ago

Ten Years Ago ...

An electrical problem in the ceiling area of an empty Bank of America building caused the most devastating commercial fire in La Cañada Flintridge history. Suffering a combined loss of $1.5 million were the four local shops in the 500 block of Foothill Boulevard. County firefighters responded in less than two minutes and saved the other businesses, including Ralphs grocery store. No injuries were reported, although County Fire Chief Mark D. McConnell said only seconds separated two firemen from death.

Twenty Years Ago ...

The city council agenda for the night of Dec. 2, 1985 read at the top, “Happy Birthday La Cañada Flintridge.” For the occasion, city officials brought cookies and apple juice to the meeting, and Mayor Barbara Pieper announced that it was the city’s ninth birthday.

Thirty Years Ago ...

The Col. Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken Kitchen in west La Cañada celebrated a Buck-a-Box sale on its menu. The sale included a box of two pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, cole slaw and a role for $1.

Forty Years Ago ...

The 12 families that resided on Coutinwood Road petitioned the county to have the name changed, calling it “unpronounceable and unspellable.” Their suggested name was Castle Knoll Road, which is the name of the cul-de-sac today.

Fifty Years Ago ...

The Regional Planning Commission approved a tentative plan to subdivide about 3 ½ acres of land south of Lyans Drive and east of Castle Road, submitted by the owner, William E. Johnson Jr. The land would be divided into eight single-family residential lots.

-- Compiled by Jennifer Berry