Chandler Gorham shares how he worked to immortalize the historical heart of Los Angeles.
As an AECOM historian with a focus on urban history and architecture, Chandler Gorham has had a unique role in the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires. AECOM contracted with ECC to provide services associated with the post-fire private property debris removal program, and Chandler was named the architectural history survey lead for the Altadena and Palisades fires. His job was to survey and record all National Register eligible and previously listed historic properties.
Growing up in Southern California, Chandler had a deep connection with the community and personally understood the risk of wildfires.
“These are some of our most important and vulnerable historical properties in Los Angeles,” Chandler shares.
Chandler worked alongside archaeologists who monitor the sites for artifacts. He checked the property’s status, noted its state after the fire and took photos to include in written updates on their history. Additionally, he monitored debris removal to ensure the protected areas of the property were left untouched. From there, he entered the photos into logs and wrote updated histories on the properties that will be cataloged with California’s information center. In the most severe cases, Chandler was likely the last person to see and take photos of the properties before remediation.
Considering the histories of many properties haven’t been updated in over 30 years, the wildfires provided an opportunity for the AECOM cultural team to update the state’s archive and make it more accessible. “My work is special because I get to witness and appreciate these properties one last time,” Chandler reflects.
Chandler’s written historical records on Altadena and the Pacific Palisades are also crucial to the area’s restoration. Since his work includes residential, commercial and historical properties, he spends time with homeowners to learn about their properties.
“Connecting with neighbors in that way and learning about their homes is really rewarding,” Chandler shares. “Particularly in Altadena, there is a rich local history and a community involved in preserving the history of their home.”
These accounts in conjunction with photos could be used as a blueprint for rebuilding neighborhoods in a more sustainable but historically accurate way.
Though Chandler has witnessed a lot of destruction, a few landmark buildings withstood the fires.
“They stand as a symbol of hope for what’s to come for Los Angeles,” he says. Though the buildings serve as a reminder of the history, the roots of the community remain.”