Until I came across this circa 1920 photo, I never knew that polo matches were held in Pasadena. We’re looking at Brookside Park at the western end of Pasadena. It makes sense, though. Polo is a rich man’s game and back in the 1800s and into the turn of the century, Pasadena was one of the preferred destinations of well-heeled folks who has the means to escape the brutal winters back East. And I suppose the really well-heeled brought their polo horses with them. Brookside Park is still around. It has an aquatic center, a baseball diamond, tennis courts, and a children’s playground, but alas no polo field which, I’m purely guessing, went out with the Depression.
A polo match takes place at Brookside Park in Pasadena, California, circa 1920
I can remember watching polo matches at Will Roger’s house in the Palisades. That was a long time ago. I wonder if they’re still doing that.
I remember seeing a polo match at Will Rogers State Park sometime around the late 1980s/early 1990s. I’m not sure, but I’m guessing that might be located on the grounds of Will Rogers’ old house.
Yes, the polo grounds were at his house that has been a state park for quite a while now. In the Palisades.
Given this is in the Arroyo somewhere near the bridges, here is a link to the Gribblenation site which explains the entire history of routing US66 from San Berdoo to Los Angeles (& Santa Monica). This most intriguing part being that it was originally designated to cross the bridge and find its’ way only as far as the east city limits at San Fernando Road met by Fletcher. While it once ran down from Colorado via Figueroa (pre-Arroyo Freeway), it had earlier taken a course by way of Eagle Rock Boulevard (ex Glassell) thus making the once independent city an actual landmark location on those old trails routes. Time for a historical marker? Here’s the guts, and they do an amazing job of laying this timeline out: https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/10/former-california-state-route-248-old.html