Archival records identify Glendale's earliest Armenian settler
Glendale’s earliest known Armenian settler
Archival research has identified Megerdich James Normart as Glendale's first known Armenian settler, arriving in the Tropico area—now south Glendale—in 1896, 15 years earlier than previously documented residents.
Normart, originally surnamed Yanikian, purchased 10 acres of land on May 25, 1896, and remained there for 24 years before relocating to Long Beach. He and his wife Eliza, both Quakers, became prominent local pioneers involved in agriculture and real estate. Normart worked as a foreman at Pacific Art Tile Works and operated a chicken farm.
Their home "Barz Doon," built in 1906 at 352 W. Chevy Chase Drive, hosted prominent Armenian-American guests and still stands today. A portion of their original land tract retains the Normart name. Historical records include approximately 200 newspaper entries and city documents detailing his life and community contributions.
