The town of Garvanza was originally part of the Rancho San Rafael, owned by Jose Maria Verdugo.

Glassell and Chapman sold the land to Ralph and Edward Rogers, real estate developers and brothers.

In 1886 the Rogers brothers subdivided the land and began to sell lots in what they called the "Town of Garvanza".

[citation needed] The Judson Studios, which created much of the stained glass that graced Craftsman and Mission structures in Southern California, have been located in Garvanza since 1911.

[8] Garvanza is bordered by Figueroa Street on the west, Pasadena city limits on the north, San Pascual Avenue/110 Freeway on the east and York Boulevard on the south.