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Courtesy of the Webster family archives
Back at the turn of the century, Altadena was a bustling hamlet, incorporating all the things that travelers from colder climes could enjoy. In addition to the areas’ ample sunshine, there were exciting attractions nearby.
By Lori Webster
Nestled in the hills above Altadena were what was once termed The White City. A complex of 3 hotels, a tavern, a zoo, an observatory, and hiking trails were made accessible by red car, tramway, and funicular.
Altadena had the perfect environment for energetic retail, which was a consideration when Frank Webster was looking for an opportunity in the early 1920s. He found his spot on North Lake Ave. at Bailey’s Pharmacy. He bought the storefront, and the business, renamed it Webster’s Pharmacy, and opened it in 1926.
Frank Webster also purchased the building next to the pharmacy when it became available, and soon he was running both a liquor store and a pharmacy. Webster’s was one of only two pharmacies in the San Gabriel Valley that was able to sell medicinal liquor during prohibition, so you can bet his was a very popular shopping destination. Frank passed away in 1950, and his wife carried on, hiring Henry Ford’s advisor, Frank Weigel, to streamline the acquisition of several other storefronts in its proximity. Webster’s, at its height, consisted of five storefronts, four of which were interconnected.
The White City and surrounds eventually were a casualty of fire and flood. Facilities there closed for good in the 1930s. The entrance to the mountain attractions was moved to La Canada when Highway 2 was built. Webster’s continued until William B. Webster, Frank’s son, decided to sell the extraneous stores in 2007. The Pharmacy business was purchased from family in 2010, and the land sold in 2013. The last remaining Websters owned property is Hoopla! Emporium at 2591 Fair Oaks Ave.
Lori Webster is the co-owner of Hoopla! Emporium in Altadena.
Webster’s Community Pharmacy is alive and thriving in its original location. My husband Michael and I purchased the business from Bill Webster back in 2010 and have given it a new life for the last 13 years. This article correctly states that the business was purchased in 2010 but I’m happy to share that we have been respectfully carrying on the Webster Pharmacy name and service level that Altadena has enjoyed for the past 97 years. While the last remaining Webster-owned business is on Fair Oaks, the brand successfully continues on at 2450 N. Lake Avenue. Thank you Lori Webster for sharing this history.
We’re glad you enjoyed our old family store, Sandra. Thank you for sharing your memories.
I miss Webster’s even though it was butchered before I moved away from Altadena several years ago. I missed the different levels you could walk down. It was a unique store where you could find just about anything. From booze to cosmetics to candy to stationery to art supplies. I relied on Webster’s and Vroman’s for most of my Christmas shopping.
Loved Websters! They had everything you could want.
I spent a lot of my childhood walking to Websters toy store to spend my chore money. A box of miniature army men, then stop at Jack in the Box for 10cent tacos and a drink. Or Thrifty’s for an Ice cream cone 10cents double scoop.
Mention should be made of when the Spanish-style building was replaced by a less-attractive but modern building.
This was a 500 word article, Robert, and I couldn’t mention everything.
The facade was remodeled in 1956, after founder Frank Webster passed. I’m sorry that the long-standing facade isn’t to your liking, it seemed to please my father-in-law.
I moved to Altadena 1975. My former address was one in Pasadena. My family relocated from Los Angeles to Pasadena in the late 50s. At that time my younger brother was still living in my parents home overlooking Devils Gate Dam. He began a hobby as a preteen of collecting tropical fish. I used to drive him to a location along Altadena Drive where he would purchase a number of fish over the years. We didn’t visit Altadena too often in those days even though it was a relatively close suburb of Pasadena. Once I did move into the community, I became a regular customer at Websters, shopping at the gift shop, the pharmacy, the liquor department, and the video store. I enjoyed purchasing a wide variety of items, some of which Websters happily delivered to my house. A regular one-stop shopping experience where if needed, one could pay utility bills and have special purchases gift-wrapped. Like so much else in life, where it seems change is the one constant, to this day I miss those experiences.