Tag Archives: Pasadena

Mother Goose Pantry restaurant, 1959 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, as seen in MGM’s “Los Angeles: Wonder City of the West” Fitzpatrick’s Traveltalks short (1935).

I was recently watching an old movie on TCM, and after the closing credits ran, a Technicolor short from MGM started playing. It was from the popular travelogue series, called “Fitzpatrick’s Traveltalks.” The series goes all over the world, but … Continue reading

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Night shot of The Circle Café, 953 East Colorado Blvd, at the northeast corner Mentor Ave, Pasadena, California, 1946

If this joint was never used at a film noir location, it sure should have been. The Circle Café stood at 953 East Colorado Blvd, at the northeast corner Mentor Ave, in Pasadena. This shot was taken in 1946, so … Continue reading

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Hotel Green, at the corner of Raymond Ave. and Green St, Pasadena, California, circa 1901

Back in the day (as in “1800s”) well-heeled Easterners would head west to escape the brutal winters. (And quite frankly, who would blame them?) One of the most popular places to spend the winters was Pasadena (it helped that there … Continue reading

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Looking west along Colorado Blvd from Raymond Ave past the Hotel Carlton, Pasadena, California, 1887

It’s images like this that make me thankful someone thought to take a photo of what for them would have been a regular street scene, but for us is a snapshot into a place that no longer exists. We’re looking … Continue reading

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The Colorado Street Bridge across the Arroyo Seco, Pasadena, California, circa 1913

The Colorado Street Bridge is a rather spectacular bridge that stretches across the Arroyo Seco (which is a season river near Pasadena.) In the 26 years I’ve lived in LA I’ve never crossed it because I’m always on the neighboring … Continue reading

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Christmas decorations adorn Colorado Blvd looking east from around Oakland Ave, Pasadena, California, circa early 1950s

Colorado Blvd in Pasadena (looking east from around Oakland Ave) must have been a very festive place around the holidays. This shot was taken in the early 1950s (I’m guessing that’s the westbound morning peak hour we’re seeing) back when … Continue reading

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Night shot of United Artists Theatre, 606 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California, circa 1931

To my mind, at least, there’s always something rather mesmerizing about a photo of a well-lit theater at night. It’s not just about the lights, but the shadows they create. It gives the image a sense of texture. This is … Continue reading

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Train passengers pose in front of a Santa Fe Railway locomotive in the Arroyo Seco near Pasadena, California, 1888

This photo is a real early one! It was taken in 1888, when a group of around 30 passengers posed in front of Santa Fe Railway locomotive #13. They’re in the Arroyo Seco near Pasadena, which later became also the … Continue reading

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A polo match takes place at Brookside Park in Pasadena, California, circa 1920

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 … Continue reading

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The City of Los Angeles float in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, California, January 1, 1946

Every New Year’s Day, the city of Pasadena hosts the Tournament of Roses parade, in which the floats are made of flowers. This shot was taken on January 1st, 1946 and shows us, in vivid color, the float put together … Continue reading

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