Henninger Flats

Henninger Flats is a small hanging basin Convert|2600|ft|m|1cite news | first=Joe | last= Robinson | url=http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/outdoors/la-os-henninger15nov15,1,4305032.story?coll=la-outdoors-printedition | title= What a washout | publisher=Los Angeles Times| date= November 15, 2005 ]

History

Around 1880, William K Henninger settled in a small basin above Altadena. Henninger was born in Virginia and had been a gold prospector. cite web |url= http://fire.lacounty.gov/Forestry/OpsHenningerHistory1800LifeOfWKHenninger.asp
title= Los Angeles County Fire Department | accessdate=2007-05-24 |format= |work= ] The area was originally purchased by Mr. Peter Stiel through the Homestead Act. Stiel’s friend Henninger had been squatting on the area since 1884. cite web |url= http://fire.lacounty.gov/Forestry/OpsHenningerHistory1800LifeOfWKHenninger.asp
title= Los Angeles County Fire Department | accessdate=2007-05-24 |format= |work= ] Henninger built a house and a cistern for water storage. He planted fruit, vegetables, and hay and nut trees. The produce he then carried into town a mile and a half down the steep trail that ended in Eaton Canyon. In 1892 Henninger was visited by T. P. Lukens and R. J. Busch who started the very first experimental reforestation in California at Henninger Flats. cite book |last= Rippens |first= Paul H. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Henninger Flats: The story of William K. Henninger and the area that bears his name |year= 1999 |publisher= Copy-Rite Press |location= Alhambra, California |isbn= ] Upon his death in March 1894, the property was willed to his daughters. The property was auctioned in 1895 to Harry C. and Harriet M. Allen of Pasadena. In October 1895, the Allens sold the property for $5,000 to four men who then sold the property to the Mt. Wilson Toll Road Company for $76,600 as part of the Mount Wilson Toll Road. nursery was established at Henninger Flats. During the years that followed the road was widened to accommodate the passage of equipment up to the observatory at Mt. Wilson. By 1917 the road was widened to the present width of twelve feet.cite book |last= Rippens |first= Paul H. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Henninger Flats: The story of William K. Henninger and the area that bears his name |year= 1999 |publisher= Copy-Rite Press |location= Alhambra, California |isbn= ]

Since 1928, the flats have been used as a high elevation forest nursery by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. cite book |last= Rippens |first= Paul H. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Henninger Flats: The story of William K. Henninger and the area that bears his name |year= 1999 |publisher= Copy-Rite Press |location= Alhambra, California |isbn= ]

Hiking

The road is a popular hike, and the flats were a popular campground, but is currently closed due to 2005 storm damage. The Henninger Flats Forestry Center is also used for conservation education. cite news | first=Joe | last= Robinson | url=http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/outdoors/la-os-henninger15nov15,1,4305032.story?coll=la-outdoors-printedition | title= What a washout | publisher=Los Angeles Times| date= November 15, 2005 ] Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.