german american history at crescenta valley community ... · a performance of the musical comedy im...
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German-American History at Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park
Between 1934 and 1957, most of this area in
Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park, west of
Dunsmore Avenue and south of Honolulu Avenue,
was a private park owned by the German-American
League. The private park, named Hindenburg Park in
memorial of former German President Paul Von
Hindenburg, was a center for German culture. In
1939, due to growing anti-German sentiment during
World War II, the League changed the name of their
park to La Crescenta Picnic Grounds.
Former layout of the private park in red, modern County facilities in black. Credit: Historical Society of
the Crescenta Valley
German-American Bund Party choir group of the Friends of New Germany,
April 1936. Credit: Special Collections and Archives, Oviatt Library,
California State University, Northridge
German-American Pilots, 358th Bomb Squadron, under the command of
Capt. Werner G. Goering, August 10, 1944. Credit: www.303rdBG.com
Park Caretaker’s Residence, circa 1938. Credit: Historical
Society of the Crescenta Valley and Fred Koegler Jr.
Entry gates to the park, circa 1938. Credit: Historical Society
of the Crescenta Valley and Fred Koegler Jr.
Promotional brochure for La Crescenta Picnic Grounds. Credit: Historical Society of
the Crescenta Valley and Fred Koegler Jr.
During the years of private operation, the
grounds held hundreds of elaborate German
cultural celebrations, featuring bands, plays,
dances, and parades, with literally thousands
of participants each weekend. When not
being used by clubs, the park was rented
out. A kitchen at the park, along with food
and beverage vendors provided traditional
German fare for every celebration. These
festivities included weddings, church
services, Easter celebrations, Mayfest, and
Oktoberfest. Although the private park was
used for many joyful celebrations, it was also
used for more controversial activities.
Children viewing a German-American Bund Party
flag at the park, circa 1935. Credit: Special
Collections and Archives, Oviatt Library, California
State University, Northridge
Beethoven Monument at the park by Henry Van Wolf, 1952
Credit: Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley and Fred
Koegler Jr.
In the years before World War II, the park
was also sometimes used for the promotion
of Nazi beliefs through political rallies and
the Sutter Youth Camp. At this and similar
summer camps in other states, American
youngsters were taught physical fitness but
were also indoctrinated into theories of
Aryan superiority.
“Aryan superiority” was part of Adolf Hitler’s
racist ideology. It led to persecution and
murder of European Jews and any other group
or individual who opposed Hitler’s Third Reich
regime.
As Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power in
Germany, supporters of Hitler at times paraded
in this park. However, once the U.S. entered
the war against Nazi Germany in 1941, many
patriotic German-Americans joined the U.S.
armed forces to fight Nazism.
Although the events of the 20th century may
seem distant, there continues to be a need to
guard against all forms of hatred, racism, and
totalitarian ideologies of all types. The
American ideals of justice and equal
opportunity still require our vigilant support.
In 1957 the private park land was purchased
by the County of Los Angeles and folded into
the larger neighboring Crescenta Valley
Community Regional Park to the east.
In acknowledging this park’s history, we can appreciate a lovely place that today is a park for all.
A gathering at the park, circa 1930’s. Credit: Historical Society of the
Crescenta Valley and Fred Koegler Jr.
Park caretaker, Fred Koegler Sr. and family enjoying Easter
Sunday service at the park, 1953. Credit: Historical Society of the
Crescenta Valley and Fred Koegler Jr.
A performance of the musical comedy Im Weißen Rössl (White Horse Inn) at the park, early 1950’s. Credit: AHAMedia.com and Deutsch-Amerikanischer Verband