Lanterman Family Photograph Collection, 1835-1980

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Summary

Title:
Lanterman Family Photograph Collection
Dates:
1835-1980
Creators:
Lanterman, Roy S., 1869-1948. Lanterman, Emily Constance, 1873-1949. Lanterman, Frank. Lanterman, Lloyd Stanley, 1897-1987. La Fetra, Stella Lanterman, 1858-1933. Lanterman family.
Abstract:
Extent:
6 boxes
Language:
Preferred citation:

Lanterman Family Photograph Collection. Lanterman House History Center and Archives

Background

Scope and content:

The Lanterman Family Photograph Collection consists of personal photographs and postcards dating from 1836 to 1980. Notable in the collection are many cased glass plate format photographs of early Lanterman family relatives from Blairstown, New Jersey. These include members of the Peter Lanterman family, including his son, who became a founder of La Cañada, Jacob L. Lanterman. There are numerous images of Jacob’s home, Homewood, as well as the homes of his children, Roy, Stella, and Frank Lanterman. The Roy Lanterman family documented their extensive travel by car and boat throughout the West, including Catalina Island, Klamath Falls, the Grand Canyon, and trips to their vacation home on Balboa Island. They also photographed their everyday life at home with friends at picnics, church, and while playing croquet on their lawn. The La Fetra family of Glendora is also highlighted in this collection, as Stella La Fetra, daughter Jacob Lanterman, married into this family. The photograph collection is arranged into the following series: 1. Family (Individual) 2. Friends (Individual) 3. Gravesites 4. Group Photographs 5. Residences 6. Family Trips 7. Oversize and other formats

Biographical / historical:

The Lantermans are one of the founding families of La Cañada Flintridge, California. Originally from Blairstown, New Jersey, Jacob Luce Lanterman (1827-1908) and his wife Ammoretta (1831-1902) brought their children Roy, Frank, and Stella, to California in the 1870s. Along with their children and grandchildren, the Lantermans established La Cañada’s first local church, founded its school district, and played a large role in the development of its land. Dr. Roy S. Lanterman (1869-1948), and his wife Emily C. Folsom (1873-1949) settled in La Cañada, building their home, El Retiro, now known as the Lanterman House, in 1915. They had two sons, California State Assemblyman Frank Dexter Lanterman (1901-1981), who championed water rights for unincorporated areas as well as reforms in the treatment of the developmentally disabled, and engineer Lloyd Lanterman (1897-1987). The Roy Lanterman family traveled extensively by car throughout California and the West, often accompanied by other family members and friends. Stella Bell Lanterman (1858-1933) married prominent businessman Lawson M. La Fetra (1844-1907) and lived in Glendora, California. Jacob Lanterman would spend his later years staying at both his daughter’s house and in La Cañada at either El Retiro or his own home, Homewood. Frank Lanterman (1862-1940), Jacob’s son, also lived in La Cañada, at his home, Orange Knoll, with his family. The Lanterman and La Fetra families often interacted, enjoying picnics and other family events outdoors at all four family homes.

Acquisition information:
On April 21, 1987, the City of La Cañada Flintridge purchased the family papers and the furnishings of the Lanterman House from the Church of the Lighted Window (now known as the La Cañada Congregational Church), which had inherited them from the last surviving member of the Lanterman family.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Lanterman House History Center and Archives staff.
Date Prepared:
1835-1980
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open to the public for research. Use is restricted by rules intended to protect and preserve the materials in good condition for the future. Contact the Lanterman House Archives at least 48 hours in advance to ensure access to the materials. For additional information, please contact the Lanterman House Archives.

Terms of access:

Use of the materials is governed by applicable copyright law. The Lanterman House and Lanterman House Archives reserve the right to restrict any materials from reproduction at any time. Property rights reside with the Lanterman House. The Lanterman House’s physical ownership of the materials in its collection does not imply ownership of copyright. It is the user’s responsibility to resolve any copyright issues related to the use and distribution of reproduced materials. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Lanterman House Archives.

Preferred citation:

Lanterman Family Photograph Collection. Lanterman House History Center and Archives

Location of this collection:
4420 Encinas Drive
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011, US
Contact:
(818) 790-1421
lantermanhouse@gmail.com
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