Altadena Christmas Tree Lane Turns 100

Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena (Photo – CTLAltadena‎)

Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena (Santa Rosa Avenue, between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive) is 100 years old and is the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas display in the world.

By News Desk

Every Christmas season for 100 years, the majestic deodars on the “Mile of Christmas Trees” are strung with 10,000 lights; the show will be a drive-through event in this COVID Christmas season.

What is the history of this tradition?

1885

In 1885, John P. and Frederick J. Woodbury, founders of Altadena, planted 134 deodar trees (Cedrus deodara). The trees were intended to be a grand mile-long driveway entrance to John’s mansion; John had returned from a trip to Italy with the seeds and raised the seedlings in a nursery behind Frederick’s house. The mansion never was built, but the trees thrived (as a Department of Agriculture arborist had assured John that they would). The “driveway” became Santa Rosa Avenue.

Altadena Christmas Tree Lane, 2014 (Photo – Staff)

1920

In 1920, Altadena resident and department store owner Frederick C. Nash organized the first tree-lighting spectacle. One of the most celebrated Los Angeles area traditions was born that first December when the deodars were decorated with colorful lights to attract shoppers to Nash’s store. Christmas Tree Lane is recognized as the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas display in the world, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as California State Landmark No. 990.

Drumming at Christmas Tree Lane’s lighting ceremony (File Photo – Staff)

1956

Since 1956, the tradition has been kept alive by the Christmas Tree Lane Association (CTLA).  The non-profit group of volunteers has preserved Christmas Tree Lane without corporate sponsors or government funding, relying only on community support. CTLA members put up the lights between October and early December, then work on taking them down from February to April. In the Spring and Fall, volunteers rebuild the lines, replace faulty bulbs and clear the brush growing under the deodars.

Volunteers working to get the lights up, Nov. 14, 2020 (Photo – Jerry Friedman)

2020 – 2021

Normally, on the second Saturday in December, the festive lighting ceremony brings out thousands of revelers from around the area, as well as local choirs, marching bands, solo performers and, of course, Santa Claus! In this COVID year, the lighting ceremony is canceled, but there will be a drive-through lights show. Close your windows and drive safely. Make sure to admire the decorated houses on either side of the road.

This season, the lights will stay on from 6:00 pm to midnight until January 1, 2021. They will be lit for one more night to celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7th.

Location
Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena

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Partial Source: christmastreelane.net