Altadena, a city near the FSHA campus that many Tologs and their families call home, has a welcoming history and long been a refuge for black families seeking asylum from racism. Today, sadly, as a result of the Eaton Fire, much of Altadena is gone, and many Tologs’ homes are severely damaged or completely destroyed. The road to reconstruction is uncertain, and the path to recovery weighs heavily on the community.
While some structures may be rebuilt, many of the town’s historic landmarks have turned to ash and cannot be fully restored to their former state. The question of how to rebuild, and what is lost forever, lingers in the air.
The once beautiful Eaton Canyon trail waterfall in the mountains of Altadena, enjoyed by many is just one of the places Tologs enjoyed spending their time together on the weekends.
Ava Nawrocki ‘25, an Altadena resident, went on this hike often.
“My friends and I hiked to the Eaton Canyon trail so many times and it never failed to amaze us. I’ll miss the beauty of hiking to the waterfall and all the nature and wildlife I saw along the way” said Ava.
Many other favorite destinations for Tologs, such Café De Leche and Foxy’s Restaurant, two Altadena staples, burned down in the fire.
“Café De Leche had some of my favorite pastries and drinks,” Ava shared. “I’d always stop by after school to study and grab a snack. It’s hard to believe I’ll never experience that again.”
Foxy’s, a cozy and beloved restaurant that had been a popular spot in Altadena since 1955, was completely destroyed.
Gianna Candelora ’25, another Altadena resident, recalls fond memories of visiting Foxy’s with her family. “I would go with my grandparents and brother for breakfast on weekends. I have so many childhood memories there,” Gianna said.
The fires also affected St. Mark’s Elementary and Middle School, which had been a cornerstone of the Altadena community for decades. Madeline DeRobertis ’25, a St. Mark’s alumna, was devastated by the news that her alma mater burned down.
“I grew up there and made so many friends. The teachers were incredible, and the sense of community was always so strong. I couldn’t believe it when my parents told me it had burned down,” Maddie said.
Current St. Mark’s students—many of whom are Altadena residents—must find new homes and schools as their lives have been upended by this disaster.
Beyond the hiking trails, coffee shops, and restaurants, many other landmarks in Altadena have been destroyed in the fire. The Two Palms Care Center, the Altadena Country Club, Christmas Tree Lane, the Altadena Community Church, and the Pasadena Jewish Temple Center are just a few of the many places lost. Perhaps the greatest loss is the destruction of a historically Black community, rich in history and culture. This tragedy has left everyone in deep mourning the loss of the beloved town many grew up in.
