Rockhaven Sanitarium at 2713 Honolulu Ave in Montrose, was begun in 1923 as a place of dignity for women suffering from mild mental and nervous disorders. It was run by women, for women. Over the years the property grew to be nearly 3.5 acres of home-like residences and lush gardens. As needs changed the granddaughter of the founder took over and held celebrations, parties and teas as part of their treatment.

After the facility closed the City of Glendale purchased it in 2008 with the intention of opening it as a park. Unfortunately they lost the redevelopment funds they were planning to use and shuttered the property. There stands now a dozen buildings built between 1920 and 1939 under the oaks and amid remnants of the gardens.

The Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley tended to it over the years until we formed the Friends of Rockhaven. We are allowed to give tours of some of the buildings and grounds once a month, and on one Saturday of each month we go in to clean and make some small repairs. We are working to try and convince the city that this property should be preserved and allowed to become a community center for art, history, and therapy.

Two years ago our State Senator acquired a grant for the City to apply toward the creation of a park! The Friends of Rockhaven are working to grow beyond volunteers and become a corporation that will sustain and support the museum and programs offered on these beautiful grounds.

For this year’s Meeting of the Members we are planning a lovely dinner dancing soiree with a silent auction and raffle! On October 14 we will gather at a nearly one hundred year old stone church to dine and dance indoors, bid and cool off in a lovely patio. We would love to show the City of Glendale and our members your support to our community as we try to raise funds and work to open this beautiful property

We hope you will consider helping us out in any way in our endeavor to bring this bit of history back to life. We appreciate any donation you would be willing to share. Acknowledgement of your gift will be written on our program, placed on a card in front of the table, and announced during the meeting, as well as on our Facebook and Instagram pages. It will go out in several newsletters to our 460 member households. We will be certain to mention it in any press we get.

With sincere appreciation,

Joanna Linkchorst