The following is a submission from the Santa Monica Conservancy
Ever since wildfires ripped through Pacific Palisades and Altadena back in January, we’ve mourned the loss of cherished landmarks like Will Rogers’ meticulously preserved ranch house, or the Palisades’ iconic Business Block, which anchored the village for more than a century.
Beyond these heartbreaking tragedies, many other historically significant places were impacted by the fires – from vintage homes with prized collections to beloved businesses that served generations of customers.
So how do we appropriately honor the memories of these lost treasures, especially given the limited resources of uncertain times? Would it be a plaque? An installation? Some sort of replica? Or do we find a way to build them back as they once were, thus restoring the heritage, spirit, and promise of a stricken community?
Such complex questions have risen from the ruins of many notable landmarks — Notre Dame Cathedral and the San Gabriel Mission church, for example — and these are the questions to be explored on the next episode of Santa Monica Mosaic.
Airing at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, “When Landmarks Fall” will be Mosaic’s third show of the season dedicated to the recovery of Pacific Palisades.
Featured speakers include:
Randy Young, curator, Pacific Palisades Historical Society
Ken Bernstein, principal city planner, City of Los Angeles
Barbara Tejada, Cultural Resources supervisor, Calif. State Parks
Attendees may register for this free event: https://smc.givecloud.co/loss-of-landmark
Author
About The Author
