Did you know September has marked some memorable moments in Monrovia’s history?
The Aztec Hotel opened its doors in September 1925, while 95 years later, the Bobcat Fire began in September 2020, threatening our foothills and leaving its own mark on our community. What else happened in Monrovia during the month of September? Explore this month’s Monrovia Almanac to find out.
The Aztec Hotel opened its doors in September 1925, while 95 years later, the Bobcat Fire began in September 2020, threatening our foothills and leaving its own mark on our community. What else happened in Monrovia during the month of September? Explore this month’s Monrovia Almanac to find out.
September 15, 1887 — The Renaker Family Arrives
The Renaker family arrived in Monrovia from Cynthiana, Kentucky. Among them was three-year-old Charles Taylor “C.T.” Renaker, who would become a prominent Monrovia businessman and civic leader.
Source: John L. Wiley, History of Monrovia.
September 17, 1888 — A New School District Begins Its First Term
The first school term of the newly created Monrovia City School District opened, with James A. Foshay served as principal. Source: Monrovia Messenger, Souvenir Edition, 1897.
September 18, 1893 — Monrovia High School Opens
Monrovia High School opened with 27 students in two rooms of the Orange Avenue School. Two years later, its first graduating class consisted of just two students. Source: Monrovia Messenger, Souvenir Edition, 1897.
September 13–14, 1914 — Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth's Final Visit to Monrovia
Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth came to Monrovia to speak at a local church. After arriving on September 13, he was struck by a tandem motorcycle while walking on Myrtle Avenue and died from his injuries the following day. Source: Contemporary Monrovia newspaper accounts and historical research on Allen Allensworth.
September 1916 — A Step Toward a Modern Fire Department
Following the devastating May fire that destroyed the La Vista Grande Hotel, Monrovia moved toward a modern fire department with the purchase of a $5,000 Seagrave motor-pumping fire engine. Source: John L. Wiley, History of Monrovia.
September 1925 — The Aztec Hotel Opens
The Aztec Hotel opened on Foothill Boulevard. Historical sources differ slightly on the exact date: local building records place the grand-opening dinner dance on September 1, while the National Register documentation gives September 5. For the Almanac, September 1925 is the safest wording. Source: Aztec Hotel historical building records; National Register of Historic Places documentation.
September 23, 1943 — USS Rall Is Launched
The USS Rall was launched, named in honor of Monrovian Lt. Richard Rall, who was killed aboard the USS Pennsylvania during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Monrovians had raised more than $125,000 in war bonds toward the vessel. Source: Monrovia Historical Museum historical research.
September 30, 1951 — The Last Red Car
The last Pacific Electric Red Car passenger service through Monrovia ended in the early hours of September 30, closing nearly half a century of electric railway service connecting Monrovia with Los Angeles. Source: Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, “Monrovia's Railroads.”
September 5, 2017 — Monrovia Takes a Stand Against Hate
The Monrovia City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2017-33 denouncing hate and violence and specifically rejecting the racist beliefs of Neo-Nazis, the KKK, white supremacists and other like-minded groups. Source: City of Monrovia, City Council Minutes, September 5, 2017.
September 6, 2020 — The Bobcat Fire Begins
The Bobcat Fire began near Cogswell Dam in the Angeles National Forest. It ultimately burned nearly 116,000 acres and threatened Monrovia and neighboring foothill communities. Source: Los Angeles County Fire Department; City of Monrovia.
The Renaker family arrived in Monrovia from Cynthiana, Kentucky. Among them was three-year-old Charles Taylor “C.T.” Renaker, who would become a prominent Monrovia businessman and civic leader.
Source: John L. Wiley, History of Monrovia.
September 17, 1888 — A New School District Begins Its First Term
The first school term of the newly created Monrovia City School District opened, with James A. Foshay served as principal. Source: Monrovia Messenger, Souvenir Edition, 1897.
September 18, 1893 — Monrovia High School Opens
Monrovia High School opened with 27 students in two rooms of the Orange Avenue School. Two years later, its first graduating class consisted of just two students. Source: Monrovia Messenger, Souvenir Edition, 1897.
September 13–14, 1914 — Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth's Final Visit to Monrovia
Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth came to Monrovia to speak at a local church. After arriving on September 13, he was struck by a tandem motorcycle while walking on Myrtle Avenue and died from his injuries the following day. Source: Contemporary Monrovia newspaper accounts and historical research on Allen Allensworth.
September 1916 — A Step Toward a Modern Fire Department
Following the devastating May fire that destroyed the La Vista Grande Hotel, Monrovia moved toward a modern fire department with the purchase of a $5,000 Seagrave motor-pumping fire engine. Source: John L. Wiley, History of Monrovia.
September 1925 — The Aztec Hotel Opens
The Aztec Hotel opened on Foothill Boulevard. Historical sources differ slightly on the exact date: local building records place the grand-opening dinner dance on September 1, while the National Register documentation gives September 5. For the Almanac, September 1925 is the safest wording. Source: Aztec Hotel historical building records; National Register of Historic Places documentation.
September 23, 1943 — USS Rall Is Launched
The USS Rall was launched, named in honor of Monrovian Lt. Richard Rall, who was killed aboard the USS Pennsylvania during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Monrovians had raised more than $125,000 in war bonds toward the vessel. Source: Monrovia Historical Museum historical research.
September 30, 1951 — The Last Red Car
The last Pacific Electric Red Car passenger service through Monrovia ended in the early hours of September 30, closing nearly half a century of electric railway service connecting Monrovia with Los Angeles. Source: Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, “Monrovia's Railroads.”
September 5, 2017 — Monrovia Takes a Stand Against Hate
The Monrovia City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2017-33 denouncing hate and violence and specifically rejecting the racist beliefs of Neo-Nazis, the KKK, white supremacists and other like-minded groups. Source: City of Monrovia, City Council Minutes, September 5, 2017.
September 6, 2020 — The Bobcat Fire Begins
The Bobcat Fire began near Cogswell Dam in the Angeles National Forest. It ultimately burned nearly 116,000 acres and threatened Monrovia and neighboring foothill communities. Source: Los Angeles County Fire Department; City of Monrovia.
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