Museums
 Elsie Orme making ravioli at Lizzie's Trail Inn, ca. 1940. |
Museums
Lizzie's Trail Inn and Richardson House
167 East Mira Monte Avenue
John Richardson came to this area in the early 1860s and
obtained a
patent to 150 acres of federal land. He developed a ranch circa
1864, and built two small dwellings, one of which has been preserved.
The Richardson House and adjacent land was eventually acquired by N.C.
Carter, was subsequently purchased by the Caley family, and is
currently owned by the City of Sierra Madre. The
house has since been restored and maintained by Society volunteers and
is furnished with vintage furniture and accessories. This small
structure provides an intimate setting for the display of historical
documents, paintings, photographs, and artifacts from Sierra Madre's
early days.
Beginning about 1890, a lunch stand stood at the foot of the
Mount
Wilson Trail serving hikers and packers on the way up or down the
popular trail. In 1913 the ever-evolving structure was
moved to, or rebuilt on the east side of the trail where it continued
under the management of various early day entrepreneurs.
Operated by Lizzie McElwain from 1925 to 1935, "Lizzie's Trail Inn"
became famous throughout the region for its unchanging menu of fried
chicken and ravioli (and "distilled spirits" during
prohibition). The Lizzie's tradition was continued by Thelma and
Robert Orme until the business closed in 1948. The aging
structure was resorted by Society volunteers as a bicentennial project
in 1976. Twenty years and four earthquakes later, Lizzie's Trail
Inn was near collapse. Society volunteers are again restoring
this venerable structure to insure its continued preservation and use
as a museum for public enjoyment.
Both Lizzie's Trail Inn and the Richardson House are open on
Saturdays from 10am to Noon for tours. To schedule school or
special tours, please call the Society at 626.355.8129.