Founder's Day

On Sunday, February 21, 2010, the Montrose Shopping Park Association will celebrate the 97th Birthday of a lady near and dear to all who call the Crescenta Valley their home, namely the town of Montrose itself.

The Montrose merchants are throwing a birthday party and everyone is invited to join us and blow out the birthday candles together.

Ninety-six years ago, when the subdivision of present day Montrose took place, the original developers held a contest to name the new 300-acre tract. The name "Montrose," suggested by a resident in honor of a town in his home state of Pennsylvania, was chosen because it appealed to the many rose fanciers in the area and because of the popular novel, "Legend of Montrose," by Sir Walter Scott. The original land office (the first building on this new tract) was located approximately on the site where Verdugo Liquors exists today, with the intention that Montrose Ave. would be the main business district. This plan did not materialize, however, and by the 1920s, a two-block business district had grown up along Honolulu Ave., foreshadowing the opening of the Montrose Shopping Park.

Today, along shady, tree-lined streets, Montrose is more the center of life in the foothills than ever before, with independently owned stores offering high quality gifts, retail merchandise, men's, women's and children's apparel as well as art galleries, antique shops, dance studios, service businesses of every imaginable type and restaurants, cafes and bakeries with outside dining, serving up everything from baguettes to burritos and sushi to spareribs.

The Montrose 97th Birthday Celebration will feature Gremoli New Orleans Jazz Band, an old time photo exhibit, a grand nine-tier birthday cake representing the ninth decade since the original Montrose land sale, presentations, public speakers and the honoring of Montrose business pioneers.

The anchor for the event will be the popular Montrose Harvest Market, featuring California Certified and organic produce, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, specialty foods and food booths. Heavenly Hand-led Pony Rides, Critters to Go Petting Zoo, the Montrose Bounce Company and Tiny Tots' Gym will also be on hand to entertain the youngsters. The event will be located in the 2200 block of Honolulu Ave. from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM.