Palisades Sites Gain Historic-Cultural Status

City’s Action Preserves the Eucalyptus Grove in Rustic Canyon and Aldersgate Lodge for Future Generations

Two reminders of the early history of Pacific Palisades, the Aldersgate/We Boys’J.O.C. Lodge on Haverford Avenue, and the Santa Monica Forestry Station Eucalyptus Grove in Rustic Canyon Park, were granted Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument status in a unanimous vote by the City Council on October 28. Built in 1892 and located in the Palisades since 1928, Aldersgate Retreat and Cultural Center features a Craftsman-style interior and Mission Revival exterior. It was once a private home used by the First Methodist Church of Los Angeles for the We Boys organization and its companion group, Jesus Our Companion (J.O.C.), both of which mentored young men to manhood, giving them spiritual and moral foundation and, in many cases, lifelong friendships. These groups met for banquets, debates and dances. The home was donated to the California Annual Conference of the Methodist church, and today serves as a conference and retreat center. In 1887, the first forestry station in the United States was formed in Rustic Canyon. The station tested exotic trees for planting in California, established plantations for management studies, and produced planting stock for scientific and conservation purposes. The station was operated by the Board of Forestry until 1893 and by the University of California until 1923. Located adjacent to Rustic Canyon Park, the grove was named a California Registered Historical Landmark in 1981. The story of the grove and the importance of the surviving giant trees and their progeny to the character of today’s Rustic Canyon is chronicled in Betty Lou Young’s book, ‘Rustic Canyon and the Story of the Uplifters.’ Historic-Cultural Monument status recognizes the building, structure site, or plant life as important to the history of the city. In addition, it requires the Cultural Heritage Commission to review any proposed exterior and interior alterations and protects the monument from demolition for up to a year.