Five Acres Honors Architect Myron Hubbard Hunt
Celebrating his February 27 birthday and 100 years in Altadena
As Five Acres celebrates 100 years at our historical Altadena headquarters, we honor the architect who envisioned it as “an outstanding child-oriented facility”: Myron Hunt. A pioneering force in Southern California, his legacy lives on in both the campus and the generations of children and families served here.
An Architect for Children’s Care
In the 1920s, as Five Acres outgrew its original Los Angeles location, our Board of Trustees commissioned renowned architect Myron Hunt and his firm, Hunt & Chambers, to design a new residential campus in Altadena. The result was a purpose-built complex at 760 W. Mountain View Street, opened in 1926 and thoughtfully designed to support the care and well-being of children.
The building represented an investment of about $800,000 at the time, nearly $13 million, today reflecting a deep community commitment to creating a safe, nurturing place for children. Paired with thoughtful design, that investment established a campus that has remained Five Acres’ home for a century, continuing to serve thousands of children and families each year.
A Legacy Written Into the Landscape of Los Angeles & the San Gabriel Valley
Mr. Hunt was more than Five Acres’ architect he helped shape modern Southern California. Over his career, he designed hundreds of buildings across the region, including schools, libraries, hospitals, hotels, and private homes.
In the San Gabriel Valley, his work helped define the civic and cultural landscape of Pasadena and beyond, including landmarks such as the Pasadena Central Library, the Huntington estate in San Marino, and the Rose Bowl Stadium. His influence also extended across higher education through projects at Occidental College, Pomona College, and Caltech’s early campus.
Closer to Altadena, his work on institutional sites like La Viña Sanatorium and Five Acres further connected his legacy to the foothills community we still call home.
Across all of his work, Hunt’s style blended Beaux-Arts discipline with Mediterranean warmth creating spaces that feel both dignified and welcoming, a spirit that still defines Five Acres today.
Virginia Pease Hunt: Educator, Founder, Civic Partner
Myron Hunt’s legacy is also closely tied to his second wife, Virginia Pease Hunt, a respected educator and civic leader. Before their marriage in 1915, she founded and served as the first principal of Pasadena’s Polytechnic Elementary School, known for its innovative approach to education.
Together, the Hunts were deeply engaged in Pasadena civic life, supporting organizations such as the California Junior Republic, La Viña Sanatorium, Huntington Memorial Hospital, and the Pasadena Army & Navy League. During the Great Depression, Virginia also helped lead the Block-Aid Committee, coordinating efforts to connect unemployed residents with work.
Both were honored with Pasadena’s Arthur Noble Award for their service to the community. They shared a commitment to education, care, and civic good.
Honoring the Hunts as Five Acres Turns 100 in Altadena
As we mark 100 years at our Altadena headquarters, Five Acres proudly honors Myron Hubbard Hunt on his February 27 birthday, along with the shared legacy of Myron and Virginia Hunt. Their vision ensured that children in crisis would have more than shelter they would have a place designed to help them heal, grow, and belong.
Today, our hallways, play yards, and gathering spaces reflect that intention. This is a living campus built for children’s well-being, shaped by an architect and a family deeply committed to community.
As we look ahead to the next 100 years in Altadena, your support helps carry that vision forward building safe, stable, and loving futures for every child and family we serve.