Glassell Park

Hello!

Welcome to Glassell Park, California

Glassell Park is bordered on the north by Glendale, on the east by Eagle Rock, on the south by Mount Washington and Cypress Park, and on the west by Atwater Village and Silver Lake. Glassell Park homes and neighborhoods combine historic character with classic California living.

Glassell Park was named for Andrew Glassell (pictured above, 1827 – 1901). He was an early land owner, a prominent Los Angeles attorney, and the first president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Glassell was born on a plantation called Richland, in Virginia, to a family whose roots in America predated the Revolutionary War.

In 1852 Andrew headed west during the Gold Rush. He carried with him a recommendation letter from a Supreme Court Justice and was named a federal attorney for the city of San Francisco. He refused to pledge loyalty to the Union during the Civil War, and consequently, he was barred from practicing Law. Glassell temporarily switched careers and operated a sawmill in Santa Cruz before moving to Los Angeles in 1868. Andrew’s younger brother William was a submarine captain for the Confederate Navy and after the Civil War followed his sibling to California and founded the town of Orange, CA.

A sister, Susan, also relocated to Southern California after the death of her husband, Civil War Colonel George S. Patton; grandfather of the famous World War II General of the same name.

In 1889 the Glassells built a stately Victorian home they called “The Ranch House” on an elevated site where Washington Irving Middle School now stands. The house had a huge basement with a shooting gallery and also contained a dark room. Moss Avenue was the wide driveway that approached the house from the East. The Glassells owned acres of land surrounding the house and planted them with citrus orchards and a walnut grove at San Fernando Road near Fletcher. During the depression, the family sold a 62-acre parcel of land which would become Forest Lawn Cemetery. In 1936 the City of Los Angeles took their house by eminent domain to build Washington Irving Junior High School for a price of $25,000.

Many of the streets in our neighborhood are named after Glassell family members and friends. Toland Way, for example, was named after Glassell’s wife, Lucie Toland. Andrita and Marguerite Sts. are named for his daughter and daughter-in-law, respectively. Drew St. is named for Glassell’s grandson. Weldon, Chapman, Roswell, and Edward Streets are named after family friends. Modest Craftsman bungalows began to sprout up along winding streets named after Glassell’s children, and in 1912 the burgeoning hillside community was annexed by the city of Los Angeles.

The neighborhood was a convenient location for commuters who worked downtown or in the rail yards just north of the city, with the Los Angeles Railway’s Eagle Rock line. When Southern Pacific Railroad’s Taylor Yard opened in 1923 this boosted growth in Glassell Park further establishing the neighborhood’s ties to the railroad.

ITS ALL ABOUT LOCATION

Glassell Park Real Estate

Glassell Park’s architecture and real estate are very diverse with an eclectic mix of styles that has made Glassell Park a unique area of Los Angeles. While the neighborhood boasts many early 20th-century Craftsman-style homes, there are also examples of mid-century modern properties and newer eco-friendly sustainable architecture popping up all over

Glassell Park Real Estate has been on the rise as a hot spot Eastside destination for first-time buyers, Los Angeles hipsters, and young professionals working in Downtown Los Angeles. Glassell Park has been one of the fastest-growing Los Angeles Eastside neighborhoods, along with one of the key areas for new single-family home building.

Glassell Park similar to its NELA neighbors in Eagle Rock and Highland Park’s residential architectural roots began with Victorian farmhouses and charming Craftsman homes. In the 1920s modern homes included Spanish colonial revival, English Tudor, and smaller bungalows. In later decades Streamline Moderne was introduced, International, post-war traditional, and mid-century modern.

Glassell Park Community

A rise in population dramatically impacted the relatively hilly neighborhood by the housing boom of the early 2000s. Most of the population lives in rental housing, and middle-class residents have been attracted there by the abundance of historic homes at relatively inexpensive prices.

One could say that the introduction of the Rio de Los Angeles State Park breathed new life into the area and is the crown jewel of the community and the L.A River revitalization.

WHAT IS A NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL?

In June 1999, the voters of Los Angeles approved a new City Charter which created the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE). Its purpose is to promote more citizen participation in government and to make government more responsive to local needs through a citywide network of neighborhood councils. Each council is responsible for representing the diverse interests of its “Stakeholders.”

WHO ARE GLASSELL PARK’S “STAKEHOLDERS?”

In Glassell Park, a stakeholder is anyone who lives, works, owns property, or owns or operates a business within the Glassell Park Neighborhood Council (GPNC) boundaries, and/or anyone who declares a stake in the neighborhood and affirms the factual basis for it. GPNC membership is open to all Stakeholders.

The Glassell Park Improvement Association was established in 1968 to improve the quality of life in our community. The GPIA is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization. The members donate their time and energy to plant trees and participate in community clean-ups and beautification projects in Glassell Park. The GPIA also advocates for needed improvements to our infrastructure from local and state governments. All residents and business owners are welcome to join the GPIA.

Another location where one can observe (especially on a weekend!) the close-knit feel and community sense of pride is the Glassell Park Recreation Center and Youth Center, which includes an indoor gym, baseball fields, outdoor pools, tennis courts, and senior service center.

Address: 3650 Verdugo Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90065

Phone: (323) 257-1863

Email Address: GLASSELL.RECREATIONCENTER@LACITY.ORG

The neighborhood remains relatively quiet, even with the arrival of new residents. Visitors come from across the region to enjoy the various parks and creation activities, including the Rio De Los Angeles State Park, which was opened on a former portion of Taylor Yard in 2007. The impressive park grounds include sports fields and restored wetlands.

The remaining part of Taylor Yard‘s 100 Hectare Property — the largest undeveloped parcel along the Los Angeles River – is currently undergoing restoration and inclusion in the planned Riverfront District, which extends from Piggyback Yard in Lincoln Heights to Atwater Village and Glendale.

This is a community connected to the city with a neighborhood feel. Although some might see Glassell Park as the gateway to the larger neighboring areas, it has an identity of its own, and the word is out.

Schools in and around Glassell Park from GreatSchools.org

Find your local public or charter school with the LAUSD Resident School Identifier

Glassell Park Art and Shopping

Many small factories sprang up around the old railroad tracks, which for some time have been repurposed, often as recording studios, under-the-radar art spaces, and various art workshops, including metalwork, woodshops, and other creative outlets.

Recently, dance studios and performing art spaces have also been introduced. There is definitely an art buzz around the Glassell Park neighborhood – just head to the local eco pop-up shops or Pottery Company to interact with local artists.

The Juicy Leaf Story HERE

In 2006 Felix decided to break with a successful career and follow his true passion; creating beautiful sustainable succulent arrangements with his own two hands. Through hard work and the help of an amazing team, he has created a haven in the midst of the city.

True to the spirit of Southern California, The Juicy Leaf fosters an atmosphere of creativity and originality. Each team member is encouraged to experiment with the original look of The Juicy Leaf and the result is a boutique store like no other. It’s a fresh and positive take on the modern retail model, allowing individuality and a genuine personal experience. Visit the store at, or follow the adventures of The Juicy Leaf on our Instagram Gallery. Welcome to the family!

The Kat & Roger Story HERE

“Inspiration comes from everything. We’re inspired by all the different things we’ve done in our lives and the places we’ve lived and traveled. I think we can both agree that our current collection wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t in L.A. The pieces have both the earthiness and graphic punch that you can see and feel in this city.”

Kat Hunter

Born in the Philippines, Gregga Prothero came to California when he was 4 years old and has lived in Los Angeles ever since. While experimenting on friend’s hair throughout high school the sparks of curiosity grew.

Flash forward 17 years later and still at it! While always dreaming of owning her own salon, together, with her husband, they joined creative forces to collaborate and build a space for beauty/hair services that embodies both of our strengths.

Her enthusiasm for hair combined with his keen aesthetic eye, allowed them to cultivate Gregga L.A. At the salon, the moment you walk in, you’ll feel the LA vibe. Gregga LA is a diverse and inclusive venue where talented hairstylists stay up with current trends and share new techniques as well as master the hair classics we all know and love.

Step into a slice of Australia right in your own neighborhood. Infused with Aussie flavors and creativity. The menu offers a delectable range of treats to classic flat whites. They have their own take on specialty coffee drinks, from housemade almond milk to Tim Tams, Jaffles, a solid flat white, Lamingtons, and a taste of Vegemite (if desired). They stay inspired and creative, and the menu items change seasonally. They make toasts, and small salads, yummy English muffins, and all of their produce is sourced locally.

A bit on the Little Ripper story and recent expansion should tell you how much they both have risked, how the community has come together, and the success they have found with their new expansion and space bringing it all together. In a recent interview, Lorena Jurado and Rex Roberts described how it took them almost two years to open the tiny shop. They made a lot of mistakes along the way but were so lucky to have met so many incredibly supportive people who helped them through it all. From structural issues to council problems, there were so many hiccups they almost didn’t open. In one last push to open they ran a Kickstarter campaign. The community, family, and friends came together, and it was amazing. Through the Kickstarter campaign, they met their neighbors (now friends and customers) from Keltner & Co., a husband and wife architect duo who helped us with the construction issues.

They specialize in multiple types and styles of bread, from Polish leavened baguettes and ciabatta to fougasse. Their naturally leavened sourdough bread ranges from their rounded house, pan loaves and rye to spelt polenta, semolina baguettes, whole wheat loaves, focaccia, barbari, and cinnamon raisin.

They’re stocked with both dairy and non-dairy milk, cheese, and eggs; pantry basics including unique pasta, dried beans, rice, flour, sauces, oils, tortillas, and bread; spices and herbal remedies; unique imported foods; and a wide variety of unexpected finds including a home-tested selection of gluten-free items. Make the good life simple with their Grab & Go selection, including sandwiches, bake-at-home pasta dishes and pizzas, baked goods, and frozen treats from the best makers in Southern California.

Because great meals involve artistry from the food to the plates, LA HOMEFARM also offers one-of-a-kind artisanal home and garden goods, including ceramics, dishware, linens, artwork, garden tools, aprons, cookbooks, poetry, and more.

LA HOMEFARM’s story is truly a labor of love! In 2019, they started working in a small urban farm space in Glassell Park, where they could grow for local chefs and experiment with new varieties. Lauri’s company Edible Gardens LA has designed and maintained organic edible gardens for hundreds of families, schools, and institutions since 2005. Dean is a journalist and has been writing on ecological issues, including farming, for decades.

When the pandemic emptied out grocery stores in March 2020, and farmers’ markets were closed, they began receiving calls from friends in the community asking if we could deliver produce. Restaurants were shuttered and farmers we love told us they were stuck with produce they couldn’t sell. In the space of 48 hours, they started putting together farm boxes to get that food to people. Within a few weeks, we hired a van and a driver, then bought our own van, and it grew and grew. We did everything together. Soon we were meeting farmers in the pre-dawn dark in parking lots in Hollywood, chucking boxes and crates of wet veggies from their overloaded trucks to our overloaded van, lots of times with the cops flashing their spotlights on us, and driving with the passenger seat stacked to the roof and the eggs in the driver’s lap.

They feel honored to work with great chefs and specialty producers including Tehachapi Heritage Grain Project tortillas and flour; Lupa Cotta pizza dough; Truffle Dealers Italian truffles, oil, parmesan, and pre-made lasagnas; spices and herbal remedies from Wild Terra; La Morra frozen pizzas; Bub & Grandma’s bread; jams from June Taylor; and a whole cast of other legends. Every week the offerings have grown. They have continued to run their own farm. The days are long and the nights very short, but our hearts are full. What a privilege to feed people, and what a joy to do it together. In the fall of 2021, after a year and a half of contact-free work, they decided to open a brick-and-mortar shop, where they could continue their delivery service and could see everyone’s faces! They have focused on the farm while building out the market and shop in Glassell Park. The process is long, and they could not have opened the doors without the support of the community. They are excited to serve the neighborhood and the friends who’ve been with them all along.

Glassell Park Eateries & Nightlife

Longtime Glassell Park resident and native Angeleno Lippman has long worked to bring this personal project to his neighborhood. The mellow 1,400-square-foot bar space skews towards the building’s enduring Art Deco look, with century-old touches like a curved ceiling, plush velvet banquette seating, and plenty of exposed brick.

The menu feels similarly vintage, with takes on classic cocktails like Vesper lifted off the pages of an Ian Fleming novel or their renditions of the classic old fashion. They feature prominent natural wines with some on-tap. There are low-ABV and alcohol-free cocktails available as well, plus local craft beer from names like Craftsmen and Solarc. Don’t expect much on the food front, just bar snacks like Bub and Grandma’s focaccia and olives, with some more robust dining options to come on a larger date. One of the bar’s favorite attractions is their cat Lenny who is quite a charmer.

Dunsmore - 3501 Eagle Rock Blvd

Chef Brian Dunsmoor continues to share with us his passion and deep reverence for Southern cuisine, this time with eyes set on Glassell Park. Chef and his team were methodical, as it took many years to bring this restaurant to life and the location went from being abandoned, blighted, and ordained with vertical sheets of plywood for years to re-celebrating the 20s era Spanish Colonial Revival architecture that was once prominent on the boulevard. It is impossible to miss the ornate features of artisans that time has been kind enough to preserve as you step inside.

The coal-roasted oysters and house-made country ham on the menu are only one part of the restaurant’s entire perspective. The restaurant is focused on history and taking each guest on a tour across time told through the stories from each passing plate. Brian Dunsmoor is at the helm of the open raw bar, chef de cuisine Manuel Mendoza and staff will heavily man the fire and small back kitchen. Popping oysters and thickly slicing albacore onto a decorative plate. The larder, as it were, is where pork butt rillettes and chopped duck liver, and pickled vegetables will get their due, showcased alongside Bub & Grandma’s breads and spreads made in-house.

In all, the restaurant’s menu, with its aged filigree detailing and nods to regions like the Carolinas, the low country, and the Pacific, is meant to take diners across time and place — a journey made for a wandering and thoughtful chef-like Dunsmoor, plunked right down in Glassell Park.

Restaurant partner Taylor Parsons has resided in the neighborhood for nearly a decade, Parsons lives roughly five minutes from the restaurant and is thrilled to see locals walking from their nearby homes to enjoy the cuisine. Their focus is to bring a great little restaurant to this neighborhood and be good neighbors and community members and stewards of our space, our street.

Glassell Park Historical Fun Facts

The land that would later become Glassell Park was originally part of Rancho San Rafael, granted in 1784 to Spanish army corporal José María Verdugo. Attorney Andrew Glassell received part of Rancho San Rafael and was a prominent attorney.

Glassell eventually settled in the area with his family, for whom many streets, including Toland Way, Drew, Andrita, and Marguerite Streets are named. Glassell’s biggest undertaking was about 30 miles south, though. He and a colleague named Alfred Chapman founded the town of Orange, California — Glassell Street in Orange’s downtown is named for him.

The development of Glassell Park began in the early 20th Century, as subdivisions between Verdugo and San Fernando Roads began to be sold in 1907. The theme park-like graveyard that’s Forest Lawn Cemetery was established in neighboring Glendale in 1906. During the Great Depression, however, it expanded into Glassell Park when the Glassell family sold 62 acres of their land. Acacia, Babyland, Commemoration, The Court of Freedom, The Forest Lawn Labyrinth, The Great Mausoleum, The Haven of Peace, Lullabyland, Rest Haven, Victory, and other areas of Forest Lawn are all located within Glassell Park.

Believe it or not, the first big attraction of note in Glassell Park was the three-hectare Los Angeles Pigeon Farm, built on the banks of the Los Angeles River. Although today frequently disparaged as “rats with wings,” the Pigeon Ranch (as it was also known) soon became one of Los Angeles’s premier tourist attractions. The growing neighborhood was served by a line of the Los Angeles Railway, which traveled in the median of Eagle Rock Boulevard toward Eagle Rock.

In 1923 Southern Pacific established their Taylor Yard rail yard in Glassell Park to relieve pressure on Downtown’s busy River Station and Midway yards.

The area has long been an important baking district in Los Angeles, (once known as the ‘breadbasket’ of Los Angeles) going back at least to the 1870s, when many German-American bakers operated out of Lincoln Heights and other Eastside neighborhoods, and thanks to the locational advantage of flour deliveries by rail. Today there are still several bakeries and related factories operating (or still standing, at least) clustered around Glassell Park. The beautiful Dutch Colonial Revival Van de Kamp Bakery was designed by J. Edward Hopkins. It was built in 1930 but closed in 1990 and is now home to the LACCD Van de Kamp — International Education and Workforce Development Innovation Center. There are also Action Cookies, Auntie Dee’s Pan De Manila, Bender Baking Co, France Bakery, Mardy’s Munchies, Sweet Tooth Bakery, Tortilleria La California, and Triple Star Bakery.

In 1923 Southern Pacific established their Taylor Yard rail yard in Glassell Park to relieve pressure on Downtown’s busy River Station and Midway yards.

Is Glassell Park Safe?

Crime Rates in Glassell Park

Glassell Park in terms of crime rate in Los Angeles is one of the safest cities to live in with only 231 total crimes being committed to every 100,000, according to The University of Southern California’s Crosstown Project whose data comes from the two largest agencies, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Every metropolitan city with high density carries with it the increase for crime based on the increased population sample.” We, humans, have a hard time comparing things unless we are assisted. And when we don’t have that assistance, we can go to extremes. What is the typical experience? What are the extremes? Of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County 52 of the LA neighborhoods have a property crime rate between 16-25 people per 1000 residents. The lowest being 9 and the highest being 167. Only 12 of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County have a violent crime rate of 11-15 people per 1000 residents. The lowest being 1 and the highest being 45.

Crime Statistics and Types in Glassell Park

For a more comprehensive look take a look at the Los Angeles Police Department Crime Mapping site. You can get up-to-date crime statistics for neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles. There were 2 accounts of burglary/theft in the last 4 weeks ending in November 2023. Additionally, there were 3 assaults with no homicides.

Homeless Population in Glassell Park

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority LAHSA as of 2022 177 individuals constituted the entire homeless population of Glassell Park’s 24,816 population in 2008.

In the Service Planning Area Metro 4 where Glassell Park resides there were 177 individuals that were homeless and or in vehicles based on the data collected by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority in 2022. Other major areas such as South L.A (SPA 6) has 14,598 the San Fernando Valley (SPA 2) 9,829 and the lowest region is the Antelope Valley with 4,598. The range falls between the highest being the South Los Angeles Service Area at 1.38% and the lowest being the San Gabriel Valley at .28%. Echo Park / Service Planning Area 4 is at 1.23%.

Homelessness and Housing Challenges

It’s impossible to discuss crime in Los Angeles without considering the city’s massive unhoused population, which by some measurements is the largest in the nation.

The greater Los Angeles homeless Service Planning Areas (SPA’s) are broken up into eight different regions each with unique challenges to address compassionately and effectively based on the numbers of human beings that they serve. Rehousing L.A is at the forefront of active solutions leading to change. The people on the frontlines of Rehousing L.A’s rehousing system made more than 84,000 housing placements in the past five years. L.A. County is increasing coordination among mainstream systems–foster care, hospitals, jails and prisons–to better prevent homelessness. The focus being on emergency shelter to better rehouse people long term. This fall, we will roll out shared success measures and goals to hold our rehousing system accountable and increase coordination. Our 88 city governments must focus on increasing affordable housing. Each year, more than 21,000 people get rehoused, but more than 80,000 people become homeless. L.A County has increased prevention efforts in our mainstream systems and increasing affordable housing. Since COVID-19, health authorities recommended against moving encampments, resulting in 17% more visible tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters–with fewer people in them. Since the count, there’s been a record number of actions to help move people inside. (LAHSA)

Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention

To keep an eye on things in your neighborhood the more modern neighborhood watch is Crime Stoppers. This site is where you can submit a tip, follow up, and collect a cash reward! “The purpose of Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers is to prevent and reduce crime, by forming a partnership among the community, law enforcement and the media to offer anonymity and cash rewards to anyone providing information leading to an arrest. Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy.” (Crime Stoppers)

Glassell Park Local Resources

Northeast Community Police Station – Glassell Park

Phone: (Voice): 323-561-3211

Phone: (TTY): 877-275-5273

Address: 3353 San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90065

Los Angeles Fire Dept. Station 50 – 3036 Fletcher Dr

Northeast Community Police Station

Phone (Voice): 323-561-3211

Phone (TTY): 877-275-5273

Address: 3353 San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90065

Glassell Park Neighborhood Council District 1

Staff Contact:

Andrea Magana-Withers

(213) 978-1285

andrea.maganawithers@lacity.org

Pablo Estrada

(818) 374-5033

pablo.estrada@lacity.org

Community Plan Area(s):

Council District 1 runs through core parts of northeast and northwest Los Angeles, covering a diverse range of neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.

It includes all or parts of 22 L.A. neighborhoods, including Glassell Park, Cypress Park, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Sycamore Grove, and Solano Canyon. Elysian Park, Echo Park, Westlake, Angelino Heights, Temple Beaudry, Chinatown, Forgotten Edge, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Pico-Union, Adams-Normandie, University Park, Victory Heights, Koreatown, Mid Cities, MacArthur Park.

To see whether you live in District 1, check out the map below, or reach out to our office at Councilmember.Hernandez@lacity.org

Health Services of Los Angeles County

Phone: 211

Services: Primary care, emergency services for insured, uninsured, low-income, no income

211 County Help Line

For emergency food/shelter, dial 211 and choose option 3

Emergency Senior Meals Response

Phone: 213-202-5669

Services: Meals for seniors 60+

Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Safety Plan Hotline

Phone: 800-799-7233

THE SHELHAMER GROUP | DRE: 01950995

Glenn Shelhamer is a licensed real estate broker DRE: 01950995 in the state of California and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. To reach The Shelhamer Real Estate Group’s office manage please call (310) 913-9477.

Glassell Park

ITS ALL ABOUT LOCATION

Glassell Park Real Estate

Glassell Park Community

Glassell Park Art and Shopping

Verdugo Plaza

Juicy Leaf - 2614 Arthur St. Ste B

The Juicy Leaf Story HERE

Kat & Roger - 4166 Verdugo Rd

The Kat & Roger Story HERE

Gregga LA Salon

Little Ripper - 4155 Verdugo Road

Bub and Grandma’s - 3507 Eagle Rock Blvd

L.A Home Farm - 3389 Eagle Rock Blvd

Glasselland Sign - 3704 Verdugo Rd

Los Angeles Industrial Arts Compound - 2600-2640 N San Fernando Rd