Many Los Angeles locals know Eagle Rock as a laid-back neighborhood that sits on the northeastern edge of the city, between Glendale and Pasadena. While its vibe is much like the trendy neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Highland Park, Eagle Rock sets itself apart as a suburb “where hipsters go to grow up.”

Since Eagle Rock is so close to LA’s rapidly gentrifying eastside, it has gradually become a resilient community that’s constantly on the edge of change. It has all the makings of a typical L.A. neighborhood, including being ethnically diverse, having troves of historic architectural structures, and being home to many notable figures before they made their big break. However, what makes Eagle Rock so unique is how it’s maintained a distinct identity separate from the rest of LA while still being a major part of the city. 

The Early Days of Eagle Rock

The actual Eagle Rock for which the neighborhood was named

Tracing back to Eagle Rock’s earliest roots, the land was originally inhabited by the Tongva — a tribe of Native Americans also known as the Gabrielino. However, after the establishment of the San Gabriel Mission, the land changed hands several times between the Verdugo family, and eventually to Benjamin Dreyfus of Anaheim.

Due to the area’s mountainside presence and lush fields, it first began as a quiet farming community meant for raising livestock and ranching. Although no one knows when Eagle Rock got its name (sometime between 1870 and 1890), many believe that it was named after a large rock formation located toward the northern edge of town. During certain times of the day, the rock casts a shadow on the ground resembling a flying eagle, so the name “Eagle Rock” is quite literal. 

Introduction of LA Railway

Photo by Wikimedia / CC0

Eagle Rock remained its own independent territory until the arrival of the Los Angeles railroads during the early 19th century, which connected the community to what is now Downtown Los Angeles and Glendale. By then, the neighborhood was already beginning to build its first structures, including churches, schools, and the iconic Eagle Rock 20th Century Women’s Club. Shortly afterward, Eagle Rock was officially incorporated into the city of Los Angeles and its development continued to grow in bursts.

Eagle Rock’s Residential Make-Up

Early Eagle Rock Neighborhood / Photo by unknown / CC0

The first residents living in Eagle Rock were mostly ranch workers and landowners. However, after being inducted into LA, Eagle Rock started being marketed to young families as a hillside community with plenty of scenic views. As a result, a new wave of working professionals and creatives moved into the area. During this time, the neighborhood demographics continued to evolve into a more family-oriented community as newspaper companies, post offices, community parks, a city hall, and neighborhood council were created.

Residents living in Eagle Rock further diversified after the arrival of Occidental College and the women’s temperance movement, which brought forward-thinking students and some of the nation’s first women-led organizations to the neighborhood. The area soon became a center for artists, creatives, social reform, and political movements. Occidental College’s most notable alumni include former President Barack Obama and actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who both wrote “Good Will Hunting” in a now-landmarked house on Hill Drive.

Changing Architecture

Typical Victorian Farmhouse / Photo by marystachowiak / CC BY-SA

It’s clear that the neighborhood has a lot of history attached to it, but another way to look at Eagle Rock’s evolution is through its architecture. Early homes that were built in Eagle Rock range from Craftsman-style to Victorian farmhouses, which were so popular that they sparked a surge in building. Today, existing structures reveal a wide spectrum of architectural styles including Georgian, Streamline Moderne, Art Deco, Mission Revival, Mid-Century Modern, and many more. Not surprisingly, many of these buildings are now listed as historical landmarks, including the Craftsman-designed Women’s 20th Century Club, the Eagle Rock Carnegie Library, various churches, and even some commercial buildings. 

Rebuilding Period

Photo by jericl cat / CC0

Eagle Rock remained a thriving community until the late 1980s when the neighborhood was terrorized by the notorious Hillside Stranglers. Longtime residents moved out of the suburb and the community began focusing on a period of rebuilding. As more building renovations and the construction of hip pizza parlors, coffee shops, and restaurants popped up around the area, the neighborhood steadily began reviving itself. 

Fast Forward to Today

Eagle Rock has become one of LA’s most popular neighborhoods for residents looking to settle down and raise a family. Unlike its neighbors Highland Park and Silver Lake, Eagle Rock has kept its “small-town” mid-western atmosphere, while continuing to mold a distinct personality for itself as one of the city’s most eclectic and diverse neighborhoods. Today, median home prices are in the $825,000 range while homes can sell for anywhere between $313,500 and $5,250,000.