Dr. Benjamin Briggs seeks an ideal location with a healthy climate to help those with lung issues. Briggs will eventually find the perfect location, which he dubs Crescenta Valley. Following in his footsteps, others will open medical facilities in the valley, one of which will be Rockhaven Sanitarium.

In 1905 Agnes Richards begins working, and rising through the ranks, in the healthcare industry. She even serves in the Red Cross during World War I at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa. She will go on to earn her degree to be a registered nurse in 1922. Throughout her years in healthcare, she sees how bad the conditions can be for those with mental illness, especially for women.

Agnes founds the Rockhaven Sanitorium in Crescenta Valley in response to the mistreatment and neglect she saw in her time working at other sanitoriums. Rockhaven was women only, who were the most vulnerable to abuse, including the staff aside from a very few individuals. Unlike the imposing prisonlike atmosphere, one would usually find at sanitoriums, Rockhaven was made to feel welcoming to those who lived there and their families who would come to visit.

Rockhaven had expanded from its initial six women to thirty. However, the area around Rockhaven also expanded and the locals fought against the sanitoriums and other healthcare facilities that predated them. Outrageous accusations were lobbied at Rockhaven and at Agnes personally, even claiming that dangerous looking men were leering at local women despite there being no males on the grounds. Not one to take insults lying down Agnes successfully won a lawsuit for being slandered.

Under Agnes’ leadership Rockhaven thrived. However, Agnes was beginning to develop some health issues of her own and began to slow down. It was during these years that Agnes began to mentor her granddaughter, Patricia Traviss, to eventually take over Rockhaven. This did allow Agnes to spend more time supporting her beloved community.

Agnes’s Richards remained involved in Rockhavens operations up until one month prior to her passing in July of 1967. She passed away of natural causes in August of 1967 at the age of 84. Before her death Agnes mentored her granddaughter Patricia Travis on day to day maintenance of the sanitarium. This allowed for the continuing legacy of care and compassion fostered by Agnes and Patricia. 

In 1971 the Sylmar earth quake caused significant damage to the original Spanish revival style building that housed the sanitarium. The earthquake left the building beyond repair and it was demolished. 

Women received dignified care much like Agnes strived. Awards were given for the well-designed facilities and well-cared landscaping. This was unique to Rockhaven as Agnes believed the setting would benefit treatment.

Patricia, upon being ready to retire, sells the sanitarium to Ararat Home Los Angeles Incorporated. This elder care company was well recognized for its quality care. However, the level of intimacy and dedication provided by Agnes and Patricia had disappeared over time. A decline in maintenance of the sanitarium grounds was also reported. There was a lack of upkeep for the gardens and the buildings.

Five years after their purchase Ararat decided the sanitarium was not worth the financial investment resulting in the closure of Rockhaven. This resulted in the rehoming of many elderly women and much uncertainty regarding the future of Rockhaven.

In 2008 the City of Glendale purchased the Sanitarium grounds for 8.25 million. There were plans to preserve the grounds and buildings for a park, a community center, or a public library. However, these plans never followed through due to the 2008 economic crash.

In 2015 plans were revisited to use the sanitarium grounds. However the city approached revenue generating ideas rather than public use. The city of Glendale began to consider selling or leasing the property to developer.

The Friends of Rockhaven spearhead an effort to have Rockhaven added to the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Glendale opposed the idea, but Friends of Rockhaven were successful and in 2016 Rockhaven was officially added to the Register.

Plans are made by the city of Glendale to repurpose Rockhaven into a shopping district. The Friends of Rockhaven opposed this idea, preferring a park and/or a museum. However, the city proceeded with their plan and hired a developer to begin work on the shopping center. After three years of limbo, the project was cancelled and Rockhaven once again became abandonded. 

Senator Anthony Portantino gets $8 million in state funds to create the Rockhaven Museum, stating, “Converting the Rockhaven grounds into a museum dedicated to the legacy of Agnes Richards, women’s history, and telling the story of compassionate care for women with mental health challenges ensures that we honor the historical significance of this site and the legacy of those who created it.” 

Progress on the Rockhaven Museum was stagnant and the facility began to fall into even worse disrepair. In response, the Friends of Rockhaven sued the city of Glendale citing “The City’s neglect caused deterioration, dilapidation and decay to public property and will cost taxpayers more than if the City had performed its duty to protect the property as far back as 2008 when it was acquired.” 

Friends of Rockhaven settles with the City of Glendale. The city agrees to make improvements to Rockhaven by March 2026 and identify what else could be done to protect the property in the meantime. Hopefully, soon Rockhaven will finally be open to the public for all to enjoy and learn from.