“I am with the people. I shall bid no more,” said the real estate developer who only moments before had been bidding against the people, intent on purchasing and developing the 107-acre Cobb Estate that today is our treasured hiking and nature sanctuary at the top of Lake Avenue.
Bob Barnes and his students at Muir high school, led by student Maggie Stratton, not only raised the consciousness of the community regarding the importance of preserving the area, but also were instrumental in raising the $175,000 needed to purchase the land – all this in a six-day period that began September 25, 1971. Bob will speak about the improbable victory, and explain the formidable obstacles the group overcame to turn the potential real estate development into a people’s park.
Bob was born and raised in Altadena and attended Altadena and Webster elementary schools, Eliott Junior High, John Muir High School and Pasadena City College. In 1960 he graduated from Pomona College and immediately embarked on a teaching career. In 1970 he began teaching social studies at Muir High School. In 1985 he was PUSD teacher of the year as well as a 1986 nominee for California teacher of the year.
Programs are free and open to the public.
The Altadena Historical Society: "Purchase of the Cobb Estate – 40 years later" will be presented at 7:30 PM Mon., July 25, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.
