Joyce Rudolph
Street lights were nonexistent in the late-1800s, so when a Glendale
family hosted a gala evening social, guests found their way from the
dirt road to the front door by the candles glowing from the
courtyard.
These and other historical facts will be shared today during the
annual Fiesta De Las Luminarias holiday open house sponsored by
Glendale Beautiful at the Casa Adobe de San Rafael.
The practice of using candles to light the way to a home comes
from Spain, the birthplace of Glendale's early settlers, said Doyle
Kutch, a board member of Glendale Beautiful and chairman of the open
house.
"In the early days, the only way they could light the way from a
dirt road or the entrance to the adobe was with the luminaries, also
known as candles," he said. "If they were having evening activities
outside, they would decorate their courtyard with candles."
The open house is a chance to see what it would have been like to
come for an evening of political or social entertainment in 1885.
"That's why the adobe is filled with period pieces to show how
they lived at the time," he added.
The adobe has many items displayed, like mannequins wearing
clothing of the era. Also shown are jewelry, fans, paintings and
furniture.
"We try to entertain as they would have entertained, making
everybody feel welcome," Kutch said.
Lights are strung along the rooftop of the adobe and candles are
placed inside paper bags, lighting the walkways and grounds of the
1.5-acre park.
The Casa Adobe was built around 130 years ago by Tomas Sanchez,
the first sheriff of Los Angeles County.
The event is co-sponsored the Glendale Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Division.
