Historic Landmarks Lost as Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Palisades and Eaton wildfires have destroyed more than 30 historic structures across Los Angeles County, marking what preservationists are calling the region’s most devastating loss of cultural and architectural heritage. The fires, which have burned over 62 square miles and damaged or destroyed more than 9,000 structures, have left a trail of destruction that includes iconic landmarks such as the Robert Bridges House, Will Rogers’ ranch home, and the Zane Grey Estate.

“It’s staggering and heartbreaking — I don’t know any other way to put it,” said Ken Bernstein, principal city planner at Los Angeles City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources. “This is widespread destruction of significant architecture and places that are cherished in our communities.”

The fires, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds, have consumed properties ranging from privately owned historic homes to beloved community spaces like Fox’s Restaurant in Altadena and Theatre Palisades. Some structures, such as the Andrew McNally House and the Zane Grey Estate, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Others, like the Bunny Museum, held irreplaceable collections that defined the cultural fabric of their communities.

“It is a mass erasure of heritage,” said Adrian Scott Fine, CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy. “We haven’t seen anything like this before.”

In Altadena, the Zorthian Ranch, a longtime haven for artists and free spirits, was largely destroyed, though two buildings survived. Jason Deach, a ranch hand, described the scene as “wiped from the map.” Meanwhile, the Bunny Museum, which housed 46,000 rabbit-themed items, has vowed to rebuild despite the loss of its collection.

Preservationists warn that the destruction highlights a shift in the threats facing historic sites. “The quintessential historic preservation threat of the 20th century was symbolized by the bulldozer,” Bernstein said. “Today, it’s the extreme climate event. Wildfire, sea-level rise, and extreme winds pose not incremental threat but constant threat of widespread destruction.”

Among the most significant losses was the Theosophical Society’s library in Altadena, which contained over 40,000 titles and archives tied to the spiritual movement. Richard Schave, a preservation advocate, called it “a repository of esoteric knowledge” that shaped Southern California’s spiritual identity.

In the Pacific Palisades, the destruction of Will Rogers’ 31-room ranch home, a museum and state historic park, was described as an “epic loss” by Fine. The California State Parks system managed to save some artwork and memorabilia, but much of the collection was lost.

As the fires continue to burn, officials are working to catalog the damage and assess the full extent of the losses. Bernstein said his office will update a citywide survey of historic places to reflect the destruction, helping preservationists and property owners understand “both what we lost and what we may still have the opportunity to help revitalize and recover.”