A little ways into the El Miradero section I wrote,

In 1925 Mr. Brand died, leaving the estate to the City of Glendale upon the death of his wife. In 1945 Mrs. Brand died and by 1956 the 5,000 sf mansion had been turned into a beautiful Art and Music Library for the public to enjoy. A little known rumor is that the ghost of Mr. Brand might still inhabit the building. Here is a wonderful article by Nancy Garza, originally printed in the Glendale News Press in 1993.

Just think, we have our very own ghost, right here in Northwest Glendale!  Make sure you click on the link.  The article is a gas.

Let’s start with food (my favorite).  Just a short distance away is Sidewalk Cafe and Zanku Chicken.  This casual dining establishment features cafe fair and coffee drinks in an open and inviting atmosphere.  There are lovely patios outside and the famed Zanku Chicken has a counter right inside the restaurant.

Just around the corner is Cafe Ramos- casual Mexican food and a Glendale institution.

I used to live just one block from this house and I frequently walked over to Kenneth Village. Tremona Cafe is the quintessential neighborhood coffee cafe  and the French Bakery serves up stupid good pastries and cookies.

Cafe Bravo is also nearby.  I often call this place the best fast food known to mankind.  An exaggeration?  You should try it for yourself.

Groceries are a unique opportunity, as this home is very close to Jon’s on Glenoaks and Trader Joe’s on Alameda.  If you simply must have Starbucks there is one next to Jon’s.

Recreation is, of course, at Brand Park.  Huge grassy fields for soccer practice, some of the best play structures in town, the Brand Library, the Tea House, Doctor’s House and fantastic hiking offer endless weekends of things to do.

Come by my open house this Sunday and then take a bit to check out the wonderful lifestyle of Northwest Glendale.  You will find that we offer a simple and comfortable lifestyle- just like living at 1110 Highland Ave.

Oh, but it was a fine, fine event- I am so proud of my city!  Susan Jekarl, one of the race organizers, mentioned there were close to 600 registrants- that is phenomenal!

The day was perfect, bright blue skys and crystal clear views.  Everything was well organized and perfect.  I was completely amazed by the sheer mass of people.

A big Hats Off to City of Glendale’s Community Services and Parks Department and to the Glendale Parks and Open Space Foundation.  I look forward to your next events!

Here is what the Glendale City Website has to say about this statue:

The statue of Miss American Green Cross was created in 1928 as a tribute to an early 20th Century tree society and a symbol of the deforestation that was taking place across the country at that time.

After a car crashed into the statue, it was dumped behind Brand’s Castle, and laid abandoned for 30 years. Hikers discovered it in an overgrown canyon in the mid-50′s reporting that the arm of Miss American Green Cross was missing. It was assumed that vandals had carried it off. In 1981 the monument was taken to the city maintenance yard where she remained for 10 more years ~ until Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services, along with the organization Glendale Beautiful, raised money to have her restored.

The statue was created to commemorate preservation of our forests and to remind everyone that trees are a renewable resource – if you manage them properly. Even in 1928 there were forward thinking environmentalists…

A long time resident and loyal Kendyl’s Open House blog reader, Pat Savatgy (Hi, Pat!) commented that she remembers when this statue was actually about 1/2 mile up the fire road toward the Brand Family Cemetery.  She said that in it’s former location vandals would often deface the statue with paint.

You know, any city in America will have your basic statue of some historic figure (some old, white dude, right?).  But, here, in Glendale, we have some truly interesting stuff.

Here is what the Glendale City Website has to say about this statue:

The statue of Miss American Green Cross was created in 1928 as a tribute to an early 20th Century tree society and a symbol of the deforestation that was taking place across the country at that time.

After a car crashed into the statue, it was dumped behind Brand’s Castle, and laid abandoned for 30 years. Hikers discovered it in an overgrown canyon in the mid-50′s reporting that the arm of Miss American Green Cross was missing. It was assumed that vandals had carried it off. In 1981 the monument was taken to the city maintenance yard where she remained for 10 more years ~ until Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services, along with the organization Glendale Beautiful, raised money to have her restored.

The statue was created to commemorate preservation of our forests and to remind everyone that trees are a renewable resource – if you manage them properly. Even in 1928 there were forward thinking environmentalists…

A long time resident and loyal Kendyl’s Open House blog reader, Pat Savatgy (Hi, Pat!) commented that she remembers when this statue was actually about 1/2 mile up the fire road toward the Brand Family Cemetery.  She said that in it’s former location vandals would often deface the statue with paint.

You know, any city in America will have your basic statue of some historic figure (some old, white dude, right?).  But, here, in Glendale, we have some truly interesting stuff.

Take the fire road that starts at the Doctor’s House.  The first part of this hike is a bit wicked as the fire road consists of several really steep switchbacks (Man, I really hate switchbacks).  About halfway through these switchbacks is a Cool Thing.

Follow this sign to the left.

The C.J. Brand family was a notable founder of our fair city and the Brand Art and Music Library was their private residence and the entire park was their backyard.   The family is buried in their own, private, cemetery.   The main monument in this family plot is a large pyramid with the family plots scattered around.

At the end of all the switchbacks and past the debris basin you will come to a large, flat, bend in the road.  The fire road will continue at a sharp left.  However, there is a fairly tall berm straight ahead with two rather narrow trails going over the top.  Take this route for a more verdant and interesting hike!  This is not a manicured trail, and there has been quite a bit of erosion from the ’05 rains, but the wildflowers are impressive and the poison oak is not too bad.

You can see forever

The hike, from here,  is pretty straight forward to the old reservoir.  I am not really sure if the huge, flat place really was the site for a cistern, of sorts.  It certainly seems large enough.  What I can tell you is the views from this mesa are tremendous.  Unobstructed, 360 degree views encompass the entire Los Angeles Basin, no joke.

The second part of this hike is simply wicked.  If you look up, toward the mountain, you will see a line of medium sized power poles.  Under these poles is a trail that looks like a mountain goat track.  It is stupidly steep, covered in loose scree and wizened old men clamber up this trail like it was a walk in the (flat) park.  I huffed and wheezed my way up and all I can really tell you is that a.) I made it to the top, b.) no less than 3 old men calmly passed my sorry behind on the way up, and c.) said sorry behind got a serious work out.

The top- Woo-Hoo!!!

Once at the top you do a bit of a victory jig and then take the fire road back down.  Not even the old men go back down that scary steep goat track.

The Doctors House, an authentically restored Queen Anne-Eastlake style home built about 1888, is the result of a community-wide endeavor to preserve a reminder of Glendale’s earliest days. The two story house originally stood at 921 East Wilson Avenue. It became known as The Doctors House because it was residence and office space for three prominent early Glendale physicians. Before this time the home was occupied by Nell Shipman, a significant Canadian silent screen star. She is best known for her work in James Oliver Curwood stories and for portraying strong, adventurous women.

When it was threatened with demolition in 1979, citizens, including the newly reconstituted Glendale Historical Society, banded together to relocate it to Brand Park. They then restored the house to its late 19th century appearance, and furnished and decorated it in the style of the period. Today the Doctors House serves as a museum and popular spot for community events during the holidays. Click here for an amazing pictorial tour of the house.

There are docent led tours most Sundays, 2-4 pm

Open 10AM – 3PM Monday through Thursday, you’d think I’d have made time to see this Glendale City Treasure.   Today, however, I got in the half moon gates and strolled the verdant grounds.  Today, as you kow, was a perfect early summer day.  Blue sky, gentle breeze, warm sun – perfect.  I strolled along gently curving paths lined with carved stone lanterns and saw a small waterfall, a few lazy ducks and a pond full of huge koi and snapping turtles sunning themselves on the rocks.

The Tea House is a lovely structure with deep, wrap around verandas and a large open interior with a tatami section toward the back.  This structure and it’s surrounding grounds can be reserved for private parties and is often the venue for weddings.

Here is part of a post I wrote on the History of Brand Park:

Whispering Pine Tea House

The traditional teahouse was built in 1974 through the combined efforts of the Sister Cities of Glendale and Higashi-Osaka, Japan. It is one of the few traditional Japanese Teahouses open to the public in the United States. Given the name “Shoseian” or “Whispering Pine Teahouse” by the Fifteenth Grand Tea Master of the Urasenke School of Tea in Japan, the Teahouse is designated an official Tearoom. Dr.Yamazaki of Higashi-Osaka provided initial support for the Teahouse and Gardens. The Teahouse, which was designed by architect Hayahiko Takase, is a unique blending of western and eastern design and an apt expression of the spirit of cross-cultural community.

The garden and koi pond are open Monday – Thursday, 10am – 3 pm and the teahouse is open by reservation every 3rd Sunday for events related to Asian arts and culture. Click here for a to see a video tour of the Friendship Garden and Teahouse.

I can’t think of a better way to kick off my new venture, 365 Things To Do in Glendale, Ca than the iconic Brand Park Art and Music Library.   A visit to this Moorish residence is a must for any resident or visitor.

El Miradero

El Miradero was the main residence for Leslie C. Brand, an important businessman, banker and instrumental in bringing the Pacific Electric Railway, or the “Red Cars,” to the Glendale. El Miradero means “a high place overlooking a wide view” and the building was built by Brand’s nephew, architect Nathaniel Dryden. The design, often mistaken as simply Moorish, is actually inspired by the East Indian Pavilion built for the 1893 Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago. The architecture is considered Saracenic, with crenelated arches, bulbous domes and minars combining characteristics of Spanish, Moorish, and Indian styles. The interior was richly decorated with silk damask wall coverings, handcrafted woodwork and Tiffany leaded glass windows.

The house contained five bedrooms, a solarium, parlor, living room, drawing room, dining room and music salon. On his expansive grounds, Brand built a clubhouse, tennis courts, a swimming pool, kennels, a dog graveyard and a family cemetery. He even built an airstrip and hangar for his airplane collection.

In 1925 Mr. Brand died, leaving the estate to the City of Glendale upon the death of his wife. In 1945 Mrs. Brand died and by 1956 the 5,000 sf mansion had been turned into a beautiful Art and Music Library for the public to enjoy. A little known rumor is that the ghost of Mr. Brand might still inhabit the building. Here is a wonderful article by Nancy Garza, originally printed in the Glendale News Press in 1993.

The City of Glendale, in it’s quest to create a center for those who love the arts, added 21,000 sf of space in 1969, including an art gallery, a recital hall, a sculpture court, and Brand Park Studios. Adult and kid recreation classes featuring all manner of art, craft and skill are featured in this space as part of the Glendale’s Life Long Learning Classes. There are also art exhibits, lecture series and a dance series every spring.

Here is Part 2 of the History of Brand Park:

Whispering Pine Tea House

The traditional teahouse was built in 1974 through the combined efforts of the Sister Cities of Glendale and Higashi-Osaka, Japan. It is one of the few traditional Japanese Teahouses open to the public in the United States. Given the name “Shoseian” or “Whispering Pine Teahouse” by the Fifteenth Grand Tea Master of the Urasenke School of Tea in Japan, the Teahouse is designated an official Tearoom. Dr.Yamazaki of Higashi-Osaka provided initial support for the Teahouse and Gardens. The Teahouse, which was designed by architect Hayahiko Takase, is a unique blending of western and eastern design and an apt expression of the spirit of cross-cultural community.

The garden and koi pond are open Monday – Thursday, 10am – 3 pm and the teahouse is open by reservation every 3rd Sunday for events related to Asian arts and culture. Click here for a to see a video tour of the Friendship Garden and Teahouse.

The Doctor’s House

The Doctors House, an authentically restored Queen Anne-Eastlake style home built about 1888, is the result of a community-wide endeavor to preserve a reminder of Glendale’s earliest days. The two story house originally stood at 921 East Wilson Avenue. It became known as The Doctors House because it was residence and office space for three prominent early Glendale physicians. Before this time the home was occupied by Nell Shipman, a significant Canadian silent screen star. She is best known for her work in James Oliver Curwood stories and for portraying strong, adventurous women.

When it was threatened with demolition in 1979, citizens, including the newly reconstituted Glendale Historical Society, banded together to relocate it to Brand Park. They then restored the house to its late 19th century appearance, and furnished and decorated it in the style of the period. Today the Doctors House serves as a museum and popular spot for community events during the holidays. Click here for an amazing pictorial tour of the house.

Tomorrow I will share the last part of the article.  Have an awesome day today and keep cool!