Eric Garland and his daughter, Lucy, stood in front of what was left of their neighborhood in Altadena.
Charred remains of homes, blackened trees, and the lingering scent of smoke painted a devastating scene.
But amid the destruction, something stood out—beautifully crafted tiles, still clinging to what was once a proud fireplace.
“Dad, who’s going to save these?” Lucy asked, pointing to the intricate designs beneath layers of soot.
That question sparked a mission.
Now, months after the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, a dedicated group of volunteers, supported by the Altadena Historical Society, is racing against time to rescue what they can.
And at the heart of their effort? A name you might not know but have probably seen—Ernest Batchelder.
A Fireplace Worth Saving: The Legacy of Batchelder Tiles
Back in the early 1900s, Ernest Batchelder was a game-changer in American tile-making.
He wasn’t just slapping clay together—he was creating art.
His tiles, inspired by medieval motifs and nature, became staples of the Arts and Crafts movement.
If you’ve ever admired a vintage California home with a stunning tiled fireplace, there’s a good chance it was a Batchelder.
His signature technique? A single-fire process using engobe, a colored clay wash that settled into the recesses of his designs, giving his tiles a rich, dimensional look.
Peacocks, ships, knights on horseback—Batchelder’s tiles told stories, adding warmth and character with medieval themes, floral motifs, birds, and geometric patterns.
His work remains preserved in notable locations such as the Batchelder House in Pasadena, CA, and the Hollywood YMCA.
But the Eaton Fire didn’t care about history.
It reduced many of these fireplaces to rubble, leaving only scattered, soot-covered fragments.
Restoring the Past, One Tile at a Time
Saving these tiles isn’t just about picking them up and dusting them off.
It’s an intricate process, requiring patience, skill, and, sometimes, sheer luck.
The first step? Careful extraction.
Masonry experts are using delicate chiseling techniques to remove tiles from collapsed fireplaces, ensuring they don’t crack or shatter.
Then comes cleaning.
Each tile is covered in layers of soot, sometimes fused with ash from the fire.
Volunteers use a combination of soft brushes, mild soap solutions, and, in some cases, poultices to lift the grime without damaging the original glaze.
Next, identification.
Many of these tiles date back over a century, and their designs tell a story.
Experts are matching them with historical catalogs, ensuring they’re restored to their original patterns and color schemes. Some tiles feature Batchelder’s classic oak leaves; others showcase intricate geometric borders.
Finally, the biggest challenge—reinstallation.
While some homeowners plan to rebuild and incorporate these tiles into new fireplaces, others are donating them to museums or restoration projects.
The goal? To keep Batchelder’s legacy alive, ensuring these little pieces of history don’t end up forgotten in a landfill.
Community Rebuilding
For Vance Brooke, a real estate professional who lost his home in the fire, this effort is deeply personal.
“That fireplace—it was the heart of my house,” he said. “To see these tiles being saved? It means everything.”
So far, the team has recovered about 30 tiles, with over 200 more still buried in the debris.
Every tile saved is a small victory, a piece of Altadena’s past rescued from the ashes.
Eric Garland, who has lived in the community for more than 80 years, sees it as more than just restoration.
It’s about connection—to history, to craftsmanship, and to the stories these homes tell.
And someday, in a new home with a new fireplace, someone will sit by the fire, look down at those tiles, and know they’re a part of something much bigger.