The following story was written by Hanna's ggranddaughter Lillian –

Grandpa Herbie and Grandma needed to do some work at homestead #1. It would only take an hour or so. "Now Mother Hannah, you don't need to do a thing" Herbie assured G-Grandmother. "We'll be back in time for lunch". The chores finished they returned to start lunch.

As they reached the last rise they stared in horror. There was no house … smoke rose from what had been a cozy little homestead.

Grimly they began searching for remains. Nothing. Finally they walked to the little outhouse. There lay dear little Grandma Larson, alive. Her arms had been burned to the elbows. She had sought to calm down the flaring fire in the little stove – had reached for the can of water and dashed it over the flames … only it was not water – it was kerosene! Great Grandma Larson survived.

I was spared the details and she lived on til 87 and died in her bedroom peacefully in her sleep.

I think the depression and taxes caused the family to lose the property along with other properties in Glendale. I still wonder if that little dirt dusty road is the one that now leads to Edwards Air Force Base. In my mind it will ever remain Grandma Larson's homestead.

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Los Angeles County 1932 death certificate #5997 available at FamilySearch.

Widowed - Spouse: Christian Larson

Father: Oscar Olson, Norway

Informant: H.H. Wheeler

The following story was written by Hanna's ggranddaughter Lillian –

Grandpa Herbie and Grandma needed to do some work at homestead #1. It would only take an hour or so. "Now Mother Hannah, you don't need to do a thing" Herbie assured G-Grandmother. "We'll be back in time for lunch". The chores finished they returned to start lunch.

As they reached the last rise they stared in horror. There was no house … smoke rose from what had been a cozy little homestead.

Grimly they began searching for remains. Nothing. Finally they walked to the little outhouse. There lay dear little Grandma Larson, alive. Her arms had been burned to the elbows. She had sought to calm down the flaring fire in the little stove – had reached for the can of water and dashed it over the flames … only it was not water – it was kerosene! Great Grandma Larson survived.

I was spared the details and she lived on til 87 and died in her bedroom peacefully in her sleep.

I think the depression and taxes caused the family to lose the property along with other properties in Glendale. I still wonder if that little dirt dusty road is the one that now leads to Edwards Air Force Base. In my mind it will ever remain Grandma Larson's homestead.

=========================

Los Angeles County 1932 death certificate #5997 available at FamilySearch.

Widowed - Spouse: Christian Larson

Father: Oscar Olson, Norway

Informant: H.H. Wheeler