The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to designate the gravesite of abolitionist Owen Brown as a Los Angeles County Historical Landmark, marking the conclusion of a nearly yearlong process.
Brown, the son of John Brown—one of America’s most prominent abolitionist leaders—was the last surviving member of the 1859 Harpers Ferry raid, a failed slave uprising led by his father that is widely regarded as a prelude to the Civil War.
Owen Brown’s gravesite sits atop a hill in Altadena at the northern end of El Prieto Road. A rustic slab of stone, along with smaller stones outlining the presumed shape of his body, marks the site.
The headstone reads: “Owen Brown son of John Brown the liberator.”
“Honoring Owen Brown’s gravesite as a Los Angeles County historical landmark is a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to justice and equality,” said County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes the site. “His fight against slavery and unwavering commitment to treating all human beings with dignity and respect reflects his courage and vision.”
This 1898 photo shows the funeral ceremony for abolitionist Owen Brown at the site of his grave in Altadena. (Courtesy: Altadena Heritage) 
This undated photo shows a young Owen Brown, son of abolitionist John Brown, and the last survivor of the Harper’s Ferry slave revolt. (Courtesy: Altadena Heritage)
Barger introduced a motion to nominate the gravesite in February 2024, a move inspired by grassroots advocacy from local organizations like Altadena Heritage and the Altadena Town Council.
Barger praised the community’s role in achieving the landmark designation.
“I want to recognize and celebrate the bottom-up, community-driven approach that drove today’s landmark designation,” Barger said. “Altadena residents have a deep appreciation for the history of their community. Their efforts go beyond preserving a part of Altadena’s story–they are safeguarding a unique piece of American history.”
Owen Brown, born in 1824 in Hudson, Ohio, was one of 20 children from his father’s family. He moved to Southern California later in life and passed away in Altadena on January 8, 1889.
His funeral, described by a local newspaper as “a historic day in Pasadena,” drew significant attention at the time.
He was 64.
To read more about the life of Owen Brown, click here.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to designate the gravesite of abolitionist Owen Brown as a Los Angeles County Historical Landmark, marking the conclusion of a nearly yearlong process. Brown, the son of John Brown—one of America’s most prominent abolitionist leaders—was the last surviving member of the 1859 Harpers Ferry raid, […]
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