History
The Crescenta Valley was a pastoral area under the Rancho Tujunga, Rancho San Rafael and Rancho La Canada land grants during the Spanish and Mexican periods. The first American settler in the valley was Theodore Pickens, who settled at the top of today's Briggs Avenue in 1871. The western portion of Rancho La Canada, which included the major portion of the valley, was subdivided in 1881 into 10-acre parcels by Dr. Benjamin B. Briggs. Significant suburban residential development began with the opening of the Montrose subdivision in 1913, accelerating significantly after World War II. Today, the Crescenta Valley is a mature suburban area.
The name "Crescenta" does not derive from the Spanish word for "crescent," which is la creciente. Benjamin Briggs coined the name from the English word "crescent" because he could see three crescent-shaped formations from his home, or because of the shape of the valley. The post office was established in 1888, with the Post Office adding the "La" to the name to distinguish it from Crescent City, California.
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