This is huge news, folks! Alhambra is taking its first steps towards the development of a historic preservation ordinance!
Please mark your calendars and plan on being at Alhambra City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020 when City of Alhambra staff will present the framework of Alhambra’s historic preservation ordinance to City Council and the general public.
“APG and its members are pleased to see that the City of Alhambra is remaining true to its General Plan goals as they relate to historic preservation,” stated Oscar Amaro, President and Founder of the Alhambra Preservation Group. “We are grateful to this City Council for making the development of a historic preservation ordinance a priority and look forward to working with the City of Alhambra to craft an ordinance that preserves and protects Alhambra’s many historic resources,” continued Amaro.
The next steps after the March 23 City Council meeting will be the presentation of a preliminary draft of a historic preservation ordinance for public review and discussion at a future Planning Commission meeting. The City is anticipating that the ordinance will be considered by the Planning Commission in May, 2020. After it is reviewed, considered and approved by the Planning Commission, the final ordinance will be considered for adoption by City Council.
Stay tuned for more details about the March 23 City Council meeting and subsequent meetings. We’ll be sure to send out a reminder e-blast to everyone once we have seen the agenda for the March 23 City Council meeting and know for certain that this item will be included on the meeting’s agenda.
If you should have any questions, please feel free to e-mail APG at info@alhambrapreservation.org.
As we enter a new decade, many of Alhambra’s homes and buildings will be celebrating their centennials in the 2020s. Here at 
United States. And, thanks, in part, to a clever marketing campaign by our Chamber of Commerce that promised a garden paradise, a “City of Homes,” where year-round sunshine offered a healthful climate capable of curing any ailment, thousands of these newcomers settled in Alhambra. Their energy and optimism not only fueled Alhambra’s own growth, but contributed to the development of the entire region.
by Oscar Amaro, Founder and President, Alhambra Preservation Group
by Barbara Beckley, Alhambra Preservation Group Board of Directors
Arranged through the courtesy of Ladd Jackson, the Estates Director of Hilton & Hyland, which is listing the hilltop castle for $4.9 million, APG members were treated to a one-hour walk and talk – led by Ladd – through the 8,686-square-foot, two story home and its 2.5-acre walled grounds.
Photos were not allowed inside, but members captured memorable photos from the grounds. To see the interior rooms visit the Hilton & Hyland 
Anyone who has lived in Alhambra any length of time has probably caught a glimpse of one of three “Alhambra” signs located at the city’s borders – East Main Street on the border of San Gabriel, West Huntington Blvd on the border of El Sereno and West Valley Blvd at the 710 terminus. The problem is that two of the iconic neon signs haven’t worked for decades and the third sign on West Valley, while still working, has been looking worn out and neglected.
We are pleased that Alhambra’s welcome signs have returned in a blaze of glory. Here’s hoping that they shine bright for generations to come.
Tune in on August 14 to the DIY Network’s hit show 
“We were jazzed when the producers of Restored contacted us about featuring our humble 1912 Arts and Crafts house as this episode’s ‘inspiration home’,” said Alhambra Preservation Group Founder Oscar Amaro. “To have our house showcased on Restored and have Brett compliment us on our restoration efforts really validated all the hard work we put into our home,” continued Amaro.
Throughout the United States, cities both big and small have conducted historic resources inventories to better understand the properties within their communities that are historically, culturally and architecturally significant.
Many of you may be familiar with Easter eggs. No, not the kind filled with candy that children go hunting for this time of year. The Easter eggs we’re referring to are hidden features, messages or images in a video game. With the holiday weekend upon us, we thought it would be fun to highlight some of Alhambra’s architectural Easter eggs – those architecturally significant structures and/or features that may be easy to miss if you’re not looking for them. Here are just a few – waiting to be found by you!
Millard Sheets Murals at Mark Keppel High School – In the late 1930s, as Alhambra’s Mark Keppel High School was being built, 
Neon “Alhambra” Welcome Signs – At the western, eastern and southern entrances to the city of Alhambra, you’ll find “Alhambra” neon signs, which welcome visitors to our city. Currently only the southern sign on Valley Blvd. is working. Neon signs and their rich history date back to the early 1900s. The French chemist, inventor and engineer Georges Claude introduced the first neon lamp to the public in 1910; he introduced neon signs to the US in 1923. In addition to its welcome signs, Alhambra has two historic businesses that use neon signs. The Hat on Valley Blvd. and Bun N Burger on Main St. both feature vintage neon signs. Alhambra’s Arts and Cultural Events Committee is considering the restoration of Alhambra’s neon welcome signs. APG applauds this idea. (Alhambra’s neon signs – Huntington Blvd. at the border of El Sereno, Main Street at the border of San Gabriel, Valley Blvd. at the border of Los Angeles)
Joe Candalot & Sons Building – Just east of Alhambra’ neon sign on Valley Blvd. at the terminus of the 710 Freeway, you’ll find a simple non-descript two-story brick building with the words “Joe Candalot & Sons – 1926” imprinted near the roof. In 1899, Sylvestre Dupuy – the original owner of Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle – married Anna Candalot, a young Frenchwoman and accomplished chef. They raised four children – a daughter and three sons – in Alhambra. After the Dupuy’s moved into the Pyrenees Castle in 1927, the couple began developing lots on present-day Valley Blvd. Mr. Dupuy set up his sons in the tire business, naming it Y Tire Sales, which is still located on Valley Blvd. and is still owned by the Dupuy family. Whether this building in southwestern Alhambra was at one time the offices of Y Tire Sales has yet to be proven. And who was Joseph Candalot? Anna Candalot Dupuy’s father? Her brother? We’re still researching this branch of the Dupuy family. But the fact that the Candalot name features prominently on the building’s edifice links it to Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle somehow. (Joe Candalot & Sons Building, 3078 Valley Blvd., Alhambra)
Former Home Furniture Company Building Façade – As you drive east on Main Street just past Garfield Avenue, look to your left and you’ll discover a building that looks decidedly different than its neighbors. Several years ago, the 1970’s façade of this building was removed and an early 20th century storefront was discovered underneath. This building was the original location of Alhambra’s Home Furniture Company, which was Alhambra’s preeminent furniture store in the early 20th century. Boasting more than 32,000 square feet of furniture display space, the Home Furniture Company saw several owners during its lifetime. Today the façade that remains features decorative pillars and ornamental urns adorned with garlands of fruit and ribbon. (Former Home Furniture Company Building, 43 East Main Street, Alhambra)
The Prose of Preservation 