Trail through El Prieto Canyon (Photo – Altadena Historical Society)
A new public bench dedicated to the legacy of an early Black pioneer and the region’s Indigenous people will be unveiled during the Altadena Historical Society’s 6th annual Juneteenth celebration on Friday, June 19, bringing together community members for a morning hike, historical reflection, and a day of educational programming.
By Melanie Hooks
The event begins at 8:30 am at the JPL East Parking Lot, where participants will gather before embarking on a 3.2-mile round-trip community hike along El Prieto Trail. The destination is a newly installed handcrafted bench at the El Prieto Canyon Trailhead area, created and completed by Eagle Scout candidate Elias Silva of Troop 333.
Silva planned, led, and executed the project as part of his journey toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout. The bench serves as a permanent place for visitors to pause, rest, and reflect on the area’s rich and layered history.
The installation is dedicated to Robert Owens, one of the earliest Black landowners and business leaders in Los Angeles County, as well as to the Indigenous people who lived in the region. Born in 1806, Owens was a formerly enslaved man who built a successful lumber and freight business during a time when opportunities for African Americans were severely limited. His achievements helped shape the growth and development of early Los Angeles, and he lived among the area’s Indigenous communities.
Organizers say the dedication highlights both local Black history and the deeper cultural roots of the land itself.
The bench project is supported by Silva, the Altadena Historical Society, and the Lowlifes Association.
The unveiling continues the Altadena Historical Society’s longstanding tradition of commemorating Juneteenth through community gatherings and educational programs focused on local Black history. Following the morning hike and dedication ceremony, the organization will host its annual Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarship Luncheon.
The afternoon luncheon will feature displays of handmade time-honored quilts, photography by Alfred Haymond, and the unveiling of an Oral History Project documenting the experiences of Eaton Fire survivors and heroes. The program will also include the presentation of the Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarship Award, which recognizes local high school students, along with a catered lunch.
Through events such as the Juneteenth celebration, scholarship luncheon, and preservation projects, the Altadena Historical Society continues its commitment to community engagement, local history, and the stewardship of open spaces throughout the area.
Leave a Reply