Sunland-Tujunga Tutors

About Sunland-Tujunga

As the name may suggest Sunland-Tujunga began as separate settlements, however today are intrinsically linked sharing many amenities including their neighborhood council, police station, chamber of commerce, city council district, local library and high school.

The elevation of land here is the highest in Los Angeles, and Mount Lukens the highest point is located in this neighborhood. Mount Lukens is a mountain peak of the San Gabriel Mountains. Sunland-Tujunga tutors are aware that it is this mountain that makes Los Angeles the largest city with the highest and lowest elevation difference in the country. However sadly Mount Lukens it is not as picturesque as you may imagine. Due to its proximity to Los Angeles the summit is scattered with television, radio and cellular towers.

Over many years the big draw to move to this location has been the promise of clean air. A combination of factors has lead to the advantageous air quality of the area. Credit must be given to the residents of the area who passionately protected their community. The city throughout the years has taken an active stand against development that would hinder the areas beauty and air quality. In the 1960’s for example the city opposed the routing of a freeway, which would have cut straight through Shadow Hills. After many years it was agreed in a different location. The only major thoroughfare in the area is Foothill Boulevard. The freeway completely bypasses the hub of the community and runs along a viaduct in the Verdugo Mountains. Other key factors that have a predominant effect on the air quality are mainly geographic. The elevation and isolation from the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin are the main reasons.

Due to this growing reputation of improved air quality the area attracted an influx of tubercular patients in the late 1920’s. The disease Tuberculosis is highly infectious and is spread through the air by coughing, or sneezing. The classic symptoms of TB or ‘consumption’ are a severe cough often resulting in a little blood being coughed out. Other symptoms were night sweats, a high fever, and weight loss. Sunland-Tujunga tutors believe that the label consumption is thought to have come from the idea of the body being consumed due to the excessive loss of weight. The Tujunga City Council set policy to establish zones where institutions for the care of these patients could be established.

Other folks with asthma were drawn to relocate to this area too. In the 1950’s the area was known as a “haven for asthma sufferers” and had a reputation as a “health resort”. An article published in the Coronet magazine called Tujunga “the most healthy place in the world”. As you may imagine this drew a great deal of interest. Hundreds of inquiries were received monthly at the Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce.