Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park
- Nature & parks
- In Altadena, California
- 3.8 mi from Route 66
- National Register of Historic Places
Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park, usually called Farnsworth Park, belongs to Los Angeles County and sits in Altadena, CA, about 3.7 miles off the old road. Finished in 1934 on land that once held a county plant nursery, it earned a National Register listing as a historic district for its recreation and architecture. Its historic buildings were destroyed in the 2025 Eaton Fire, so expect a park in recovery.
What is Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park?
Farnsworth Park was laid out as a community park with room for sport, shows and play. Over the years it offered tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball fields and an amphitheater.
Its best-known structure was a two-story building in the Arts and Crafts, or American Craftsman, style, later dedicated to William D. Davies as a memorial building. That building and the park's other structures were lost in the Eaton Fire of 2025. The park is still listed as open, with restrooms and parking on site, but the look of the place has changed a great deal.
History of Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park
Los Angeles County bought the land in 1921 to grow plants for a county nursery. When new nurseries were built in the 1930s, a movement grew to turn the old site into a park. William O. Davies and General Charles S. Farnsworth led that effort. Farnsworth drew up the design and oversaw the grading and planting, while Davies worked on plans for a community center, funded through Public Works Administration grants.
Work wrapped up in 1934, when the site opened as Altadena Park. In 1939 it was renamed to honor Farnsworth. It joined the National Register in 1997 as a district significant for both recreation and architecture.
Visiting Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park: tips
Treat this as a short stop to see a historic park and pay respects to a community hit by fire; half an hour is plenty. Eaton Canyon, about 2.5 miles away, is a good choice for a longer walk, and Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena is about 3.6 miles off.
Practical info
- Address
- 568 Mount Curve Ave E, Altadena, CA 91001
- Phone
- +1 626-798-6335
- Hours
- We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
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3.8 mi from Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park
3.8 mi from Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park
3.9 mi from Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park
Questions about Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park
Who was Farnsworth Park named for?
General Charles S. Farnsworth, who helped push for the park and designed it. It was renamed for him in 1939.
Was Farnsworth Park damaged in the Eaton Fire?
Yes. The park's buildings were destroyed in the 2025 Eaton Fire.
Own or run Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park? Send us a photo or a correction.