This property was purchased in 1921, by the County and first used as nursery for trees and vegetation eventually producing over one million trees for mountain and watershed area rehabilitation.
During the 1930’s General Charles S. Farnsworth, a retired war veteran and local resident for whom the park was later named, encouraged the use of the property as a park and supported its development. In 1931, another distinguished resident, William O. Davies, organized a board to construct and manage the proposed community building.
Board member, Mrs. Thurber, went to Washington D.C. to lobby for government funds for the building and was successful. The depression era community building at Farnsworth Parks is an example of a “Works Progress Administration” (WPA) project.
Completed in 1934, this two story stone facility is dedicated (1943) as the William D. Davies Memorial Building and reveals the influence of the naturalistic trend of the California arts and crafts period and the handmade, careful construction of local artisans. From its perch high in the foothills visitors can see downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
In 1957, the Department took over the operation of the Davies Building. In 1997, Charles F. Farnsworth Park and the William O. Davies Memorial Building were honored by being added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
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