Four More Stops on the America 250

The Sunland-Tujunga Bicentennial Trail, developed in 1976, is now the America 250 Trail. In the past weeks, we’ve visited 18 of the 25 locations highlighted on this journey into the past. Today I focus on the next four sites on the tour: Bolton Hall at 10110 Commerce Ave., Nicholson’s Store at 10227 Commerce Ave., the Tujunga Emergency Hospital, and the Old Reservoir, both near the intersection of Commerce and Apperson Street.

Bolton Hall has had an interesting run. Built in 1913 by the nature builder George Harris it’s said that each rock was rolled to find its natural resting state before incorporating it into this beautiful stone building. First, let’s review the words of the early historians who originated the trail.

“Bolton Hall was designed to house meetings, community events and social gatherings. Typical New England-type town meetings were held and citizens’ complaints, suggestions and opinions were thoroughly aired. The moderator, Mr. Ashby, had his hands full keeping order. For some years, it was the property of American Legion Post 250. When Tujunga incorporated and became a city, Bolton Hall became its city hall, housing city offices and council meetings. During these years, a jail was added at the rear of the building. Upon annexation of the city of Tujunga to Los Angeles, city offices such as Building and Safety were located in the main hall, while LA policemen Stokes, Buchanan, Stoughton, Cobler and Neal operated in the rear near the jail.”

That’s how things went at Bolton Hall until more modern city offices were built on Foothill Boulevard in 1959. The employees all moved into their new digs, leaving Bolton Hall empty. Soon, the windows were boarded up and that’s how it stayed. Over the next 20 years dust gathered, damage set in, holes appeared in the roof and the plaster walls began to crumble. It came very close to destruction during this time. As repairs grew more costly, many believed a large open park would be a more desirable option. Luckily for all of us, a small band of residents worked tirelessly to save the old meeting hall, allowing it to open as Bolton Hall Museum in early 1981. It’s open Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

I’ve made mention of Nicholson’s Store in past writings. Here is what was presented from the original trail makers: “Here is a typical example of a neighborhood store, common in Tujunga during the 1920s. It was one of the first grocery stores started in Tujunga and was operated for many years by Mr. William Nicholson, its builder. Mr. Nicholson was noted for his woodcarving skills and the front windows of his store were always decorated with wooden chains and a myriad of other interesting things, all the product of Mr. Nicholson’s artistic hand and a very sharp jack-knife.” 

A collection of these woodcarvings are on display at Bolton Hall.

The next point of interest is the former site of the Tujunga Emergency Hospital, which once stood on the southeast corner of Apperson Street and Commerce. Unsurprisingly, it was partly made of stone and it wasn’t your average medical establishment. Its supervising physician was Dr. Leonard Bain and his was the only hospital in town. Dr. Bain was both a doctor and a dentist – pulling teeth, bandaging breaks and wounds, and treating the ills of the valley’s residents.

Our last stop today is the former location of an early reservoir. It was once found on the north side of Apperson Street, one fourth block west of Commerce. Following the formation of the Haines Canyon Water Company in pioneer days, this was the first water reservoir built. Heavy pumping was generally done at night in order to make sure that a full supply of water would be available for residents the following day.

Next time we’ll stop by for a visit at the Verdugo Hills Cemetery.