Zorthian Ranch in Altadena, California
After the Eaton Fire
“It’s a ranch. An artist community. A homestead. A portal to a different way of life. But there’s something else going on there. A sense of magic, hidden in the mountains, that reveals itself to those who leave behind the trappings of modern urban life and surrender to the silliest, most whimsical, most open version of themselves.” This is how writer and part-time resident Sam Anderson describes Zorthian Ranch, an artist community in Altadena, California founded Armenian-American artist Jirayr Zorthian in 1946.
I had a very special opportunity to visit and photograph this magical place two and a half months after the Eaton Fire for KQED. Despite the extensive fire damage to the physical structures and vegetation, I found this community’s spirit stronger than ever. When I arrived, writer Sam Anderson took me on a tour. Please follow along with us.
Photo editor: David Barreda
Writer: Sam Anderson
Robert “Blobbie” Kirkhuff speaks to another resident.
Sheep walk past fire damage at Zorthian Ranch.
Volunteers help clean up the rubble of The Barn, one of the structures at Zorthian Ranch that burned in the Eaton Fire. This is where art shows and classes were held before the fire.
Some of the items recovered from the rubble of The Barn at Zorthian Ranch.
Phillip de Avila-Molina's looks for items in the rubble of the school bus he lived in before the fire on Zorthian Ranch. De Avila-Molina lived and worked on the ranch as a laborer and ranch hand for the past 10 years. He is also a blacksmith.
Residents and volunteers at Zorthian Ranch. From left to right: Sam Anderson, Robert “Blobbie” Kirkhuff, Tara Zorthian, Caroline Zorthian, Ian Rosenzweig, Aslan Scardina, Billie Grey Heck (back), Moses Hamborg (front), and Solange Stefanelli.
Tara Zothrian, a granddaughter of founder Jirayr Zorthian, at Zorthian Ranch on March 28 in Altadena, California. She lived on the ranch for eight years before moving away two years ago.
Caroline Zorthian, one of founder Jirayr Zorthian's granddaughters, on Zorthian Ranch on March 28 in Altadena, California. The sunflower is her favorite flower on the ranch.
Moses Hamborg in the garden of Zorthian Ranch.
Aslan lies in a patch of stinging nettle. She says, "I didn't love plants until I met nettle." She was living at the ranch before the fire. She plans to plant nettle where she's living now.
Sam Anderson loves this spot on the ranch abutting the hillside.
Robert “Blobbie” Kirkhuff at his favorite spot on the ranch.
Please consider donating to the rebuilding efforts for this special community.