Drive to the top of Lake Avenue and you’ll find 107 acres of undisturbed California nature, replete with hiking trails, native vegetation, birds and wildlife.  The park is named after Charles Cobb who purchased a portion of the Las Flores canyon and built a fine home there in 1915.

Most people don’t know that on October 1, 1971, our treasured Cobb Estate was destined to be filled with hundreds of tract houses.  The Marx family (of Groucho Marx fame) owned the property and after several failed attempts at development, put it up for auction.  When faced with the inevitable transfer to a real estate developer, students at John Muir High School, under the tutelage of their social studies teacher Bob Barnes, countered with the improbable.  They raised not only the consciousness of the community but also the $175,000 needed to purchase the land at auction.  All this at the last minute of the eleventh hour.  

If you can't remember a time when the little man won one, join Altadena Historical Society and listen to Bob Barnes reminisce about the 1971 victory.  More than 800 people attended the auction.  If you know someone who was there, please let them know about the program.  

Mon., July 25, 7:30 PM
Altadena Community Center
730 E. Altadena Drive
Altadena, CA 91001
Phone:  626-797-8016