It’s not often that we are treated to a genuine color photo from the 1940s, so I’m grateful for every one that I come across. This one is of the Santa Fe train pulling into their South Pasadena station, which stood near the intersection of Meridian Ave and El Centro St. I love its bright red roof, but I’m a bit concerned that there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of safety guards. Just what I take to be that flashing light in the pole on the right.
Here are a couple more photos I’ve been sent:
I’m not entirely sure where the Santa Fe depot was, but I think it was here, where the Gold Metro line now passes through South Pasadena. (Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.)
An interesting history of the station can be downloaded here. PDF.
https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=10163
here is an image of the front page
https://i.imgur.com/7p0caVb.png
Excellent read JY. And congrats to Martin on a fine job of bringing that first image to full life. I’m almost ready to dodge falling palm leaves.
The house on the left in the last picture is the Michael Myers, Halloween house. Though they moved the house to this location as it was originally across the street during the filming in 1978.
Just fyi you are close however the station was actually at 903 El Centro St where the nursery and cafe is now. In fact the 1933 film College Coach actually filmed there and across the street you can see the old Opera House. South Pas Museum, open every Thursday from 4-8pm at 913 Meridian, has more information on it
Thanks for that, Archivist!