Tujunga is the only city within Los Angeles that was settled by Utopianists.  Such indeed were the Little Landers, an early twentieth century society of idealistic colonists who believed that families settling on an acre or two of land could support themselves and create a flourishing community.  The movement was founded by William E. Smythe who had already established colonies in Idaho and San Ysidro before coming to the Verdugos.

  The Little Landers called Bolton Hall “The Clubhouse” and dedicated it in August of 1913 as their center for all community activities.  It was at the Clubhouse where town meetings, church services, socials, dances, and literary discussions took place.

  The name Bolton Hall is a bit of a pun as it was not named after someone with the last name Bolton, but after Smythe’s author friend Bolton Hall whose writings about land development were a source of Smythe’s inspiration.  The building was designed by George Harris, the “Nature Builder” who designed Bolton Hall to harmonize with its surroundings by its use of river rocks gathered from the Tujunga Wash and nearby hillsides.  Many homes in the area followed suit.  Because of our several remaining boulder homes, the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau named  Sunland-Tujunga as the site to view early rock buildings in the Los Angeles area.

  By 1920, however, the Little Landers movement had its wind knocked out by the potent blows of an economic recession, World War I, the difficulty of farming the rocky soil, and the dismay that usually comes when pure idealism and cold reality collide.  Since then Bolton Hall has shifted many hands and roles: an American Legion post, the local city hall (complete with a jail), a City of LA Building and Safety and Health Department, and the site of the second public library in the San Fernando Valley (the first opened in Burbank).  Nevertheless, Bolton Hall was boarded up in 1957.

  The Little Landers Historical Society formed in 1959 and began a decade's battle to save Bolton Hall from demolition and thereafter to fight for its restoration as a historical monument.  In 1962 it was named City Historical Monument number two (the Avila Adobe at Olvera Street is number one)  During restorative work, the interior of the building was kept as near to the original as possible while some safety changes had to be made for current public use.

  Docents now lead visitors through the large meeting hall which houses artifacts of local history, research materials, and ongoing exhibitions.   Many fun and enlightening events are conducted throughout the year at Bolton Hall, continuing the activities of community  enrichment that the Little Landers of 1913 envisioned.

Hosting the Writers' Table at the Old Towne Street Faire

Ongoing support of Bolton Hall is needed to keep this important part of our local heritage open.  Please consider joining The Little Landers Historical Society.
 
 
 

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