SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 

VOLUME 17 NO. 35VOLUME 17 NO. 35

webbmartingroup.comreal estateJan Greteman626.975.4033 | lic #01943630Judy Webb-Martin 
626.688.2273 | lic #00541631Katie Orth626.688.0418 | lic #00942500
JUST LISTEDExperts in Representing 
Buyers & SellersONE-OF-A-KIND 
HOMERare opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind homeThis home is the manifestation of a love story 
that started in the late 1940s when two high 
school sweethearts would park on this very spot, 
gaze at the stars and plan their future. After 
marrying and raising two children, they acquired 
the property in 1976 and constructed their 
dream home as empty-nesters.
2 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,612 sqft | 6,678 sqft Lot 
Listed at $1,698,000646AltaVistaDr.com | Sierra MadreOpen Saturday 1-4pm & Thursday 5:30-7:30pm
LIZZIE’S TRAIL INN MAKES HISTORY

The property is now an historic landmark in Sierra Madre

By Kevin McGuire

City Council held a public hearing on August 22, 2023, to consider 
designating Lizzie’s Trail Inn as a local historical landmark 
to be included in the Sierra Madre Register of Designated Historic 
Landmarks. 

Vincent Gonzalez, the Director of Planning and Community 
Preservation, gave a presentation on Lizzie’s Trail Inn and the adjacent 
Richardson House during the regular City Council Meeting 
on Tuesday.

The city museum, located at 165 E. Mira Monte Avenue by the 
base of Mt. Wilson Trail, operated as a refreshment stand and 
was built between 1890 and 1900. It meets the historical criteria 
to be designated as a local cultural landmark because it’s closely 
associated with the city's early settlement, residential development, 
and early recreational Mt. Wilson Trail expeditions, according 
to a report by Sapphos Environmental, Inc. The 
builders are unknown, and the vernacular architecture 
was pretty standard then, so the property does not meet 
the architectural criteria. 

The Richardson House, a second museum next door to 
Lizzie’s, was previously designated as a historical landmark 
by the Cultural Heritage Commission, though no 
historical preservation report exists. It is considered the 
oldest residential building in Sierra Madre, circa 1864. 
The city owns both properties, and The Sierra Madre 
Historical Preservation Society currently operates and 
maintains both museums.

Due to the architectural insignificance and many renovations, 
neither property qualified to be added to the 
National Register of Historic Places or the California 
Register.

John Richardson owned the original land West of 
Mount Wilson Trail in the early 1860s. Before Lizzie’s, as early as 
1890, a lunch stand served hungry and thirsty hikers. The rustic 
Lizzie’s Trail Inn continued the operation after its purchase in 
1925, with ravioli and fried chicken as their main dishes. During 
Prohibition, an illegal still was hidden behind the and serving 
distilled spirits to partaking patrons. The Inn and The Richardson 
House were relocated to the Mira Monte location in 1913 to 
accommodate the construction of a water tank at its original location. 
This move did not affect its chances of becoming a local 
historical landmark. 

Lizzie’s was almost lost due to its age and several earthquakes, 
but it was saved and received numerous repairs, including electrical, 
paint, and some foundation work. The Historical Society 
has handled those repairs for many years. 

Lizzie’s Trail Inn was named after Elizabeth Louisa “Lizzie” 
Adler Weiss Stoppel McElwain, who was born in 1888 and immigrated 
to America from the Russian Empire in what is now 
Ukraine and purchased the property in 1925 from (cont. page 3)


Eileen Benson626.278.0187CalRE# 01880650Barbara Rogers626.484.8135CalRE# 01169115Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker. Affi liated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employ-
ees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell 
Banker® System is comprised of company owned offi ces which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offi ces which are independently 
owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
38 Years of Combined Experience Representing Buyers and SellersDo the late Days of Summer have you wondering what your next move should be? CALL 
US, we would love to meet with you to help simplify your path to make the move you have 
always dreamed of.
If you can envision your Dream Home, we will get you there. 
Coldwell Banker Realty can help you make the needed improvements and repairs to prep 
your home for sale with no upfront costs using our RealVitalize Program.  ere are no 
hidden fees or interest and you don’t have to pay until your property sells. We will help 
you decide which home improvement projects will increase your home’s value the most.
CALL US! We want to help you achieve your 2023 Real Estate GoalsWondering which direction to take?
InSIDE THIS WEEK

SIERRA MADRE NEWS ..................Pgs 1, 3

CALENDAR....................................Page 4

PASADENA NEWS..........................Page 5

ALTADENA/SAN MARINO.............Page 6

ARCADIA/MONROVIA................ Page 7

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY.. Page 8 
SHOP LOCAL.................................Page 9

EDUCATION & YOUTH...................Page 10

BEST FRIENDS.................................Page 11

THE GOOD LIFE..............................Page 12

 NEW: FITNESS FOR LIFE

OPINION........................................Page 13

LEGAL NOTICES.............................Page 14

SIERRA MADRE $1,249,000 
3 beds 1 ba 1,542 sf HomeSANTA MARIA $134,900 
2 bed 2 ba 1,344sf Mobile HomeLA CRESCENTA $899,0002 beds, 1 ba 856 sf Home626.355.1451c21village.comLIC# 02119245Serving the Community since 1980FOR SALEFOR SALEFOR SALE