La Cañada School interior showing Mrs. Pate's school room at Christmas

The interior of Mrs. Charles Pate's schoolroom at La Cañada School decorated for Christmas, with a tree and American flag visible. Pate married Mary Wilber (1867-1956) when she was already a teacher. She would later become a founding member of the local PTA and serve as president of the La Cañada Thursday Club. This image is from the collection of Charles Pate (1874-1961), an early pioneer that came to the Crescenta-Cañada Valley from England in 1893. He documented life in the region by photographing his experiences as well as by collecting images by local photographers. Much of what is known about the people and places in the valley is due to Pate's imagery and manuscripts. "Xmas 1901-2; Mrs. Pate's (Miss Wilber) school room in old La Cañada School-S.H.B; (Note oil lamp) My school room 1897-1900-S.H.B. (Starr Barnum)" written in blue ballpoint pen on reverse.