Verdugo Views: The rich history of the Lawson family

The Lawsons lived on Campbell Street and were good friends with John and Frances Pagliuso, who lived on Ridgeway Drive. Their son, Jim Pagliuso, said the two families did a lot together. “I never knew the genesis of their [the Lawsons’] money, but it was a wealthy family. He never seemed to have a job, never had the stress of a business before he began the bank. He was a nice guy, a jovial guy.”

Glendale in those days was a lot different from now, Pagliuso reminisced. Both his father and Lawson were members of the Verdugo Club and of the Oakmont Country Club. “My dad would enter a room filled with people; he’d know everyone. Jack Lawson was the same way.” Pagliuso said there were 20 or 30 local men who often socialized together. “They were very involved with the Days of Verdugo events, with Lions Club and other groups.”

The Lawsons moved to Cumberland Road in 1955. When their daughter Ann was married, Pagliuso served as an altar boy and attended the reception at the Lawson home afterward. “There were all these people there, including Bob Wian of Bob’s Big Boy.”

Lawson was reelected to the council in 1955, but resigned in 1957 to concentrate on his new venture, Valley National Bank.

Readers Write:

George Ellison of Special Collections answers a query (Verdugo Views, July 10, 2011) regarding the origin of Willard Avenue in Northwest Glendale. “Willard Avenue, from 6200 San Fernando Road, was laid out through a subdivision handled by Willard Fry and was given his name.” Willard runs between San Fernando and Glenoaks Boulevard.

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