In the wake of last month's devastating Eaton Fire in Altadena, which destroyed over 9,000 homes, a community group called Save the Tiles emerged to preserve historical fireplace tiles from destroyed neighborhoods. Many homes featured distinctive tiles created by local artist Ernest Batchelder. Residents like Eric Garland, who barely saved his house, shared their grief and loss as they sifted through the remains of their homes. The effort to save these tiles symbolizes a hope to retain cultural heritage amid the destruction.
"And it was just an exercise in taking a few steps and weeping, and taking a few steps and weeping." Eric Garland reflects on the emotional devastation following the fire.
"There's nothing. It's just a debris field... this beautiful, red brick chimney, standing in the middle of nowhere and at the base of it, this perfect work of art - this fireplace that was just like the day it was made." Garland on witnessing the remnants of his neighborhood.
"Many of the Arts and Crafts-style homes in Altadena featured tiles made by artist Ernest Batchelder. In fact, Batchelder tiles became the defining characteristic of Altadena." A description of the cultural heritage at stake.
"Save the Tiles formed to begin saving historical fireplace tiles from those chimneys so homeowners can include them in their rebuilt houses." This highlights the community's efforts to retain their heritage.
#los-angeles-fire #community-resilience #historical-preservation #arts-and-crafts #ernest-batchelder
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