Tag Archives: Pasadena
Poppy fields around the intersection of Woodbury Rd and Lake Ave, Altadena, California, 1895
You’d never know it, but these six people were picking poppies at what is now around the intersection of Woodbury Rd and Lake Ave in Altadena, north of Pasadena. I don’t know if this was a poppy farm or these … Continue reading
Pasadena Winter Gardens skating rink, 171 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, California, circa 1940
Until I came across this photo recently I’d never heard of the Winter Garden Skating rink, but I’m sure glad I’ve heard of it now. What a gorgeous example of Art Deco architecture. It kind of reminds me of the … Continue reading
A snow-covered Pacific Electric streetcar stops at Lake Ave and Mariposa St, Altadena, California, mid January 1932
It hasn’t snowed in the Los Angeles area very often – on average once every 10 years. Two inches of snow fell in 1932, which is when I’m guessing this photo of a snow-covered Pacific Electric streetcar was taken. From … Continue reading
Dirigible balloon attracts a crowd of onlookers on the grounds of the Raymond Hotel, near Pasadena, California, 1905
In 1905, just two years after the first flight of the Kitty Hawk, these curious Angelenos gathered on the grounds of the Raymond Hotel in Pasadena to feast their eyes on something they wouldn’t have seen before: a dirigible. They … Continue reading
The California Limited train stops at the Santa Fe depot in Pasadena, California, en route to Chicago, circa 1900
I do like the way this photographer has framed this shot. It’s a circa 1900 photo of the California Limited train during its stop at the Pasadena depot of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway en route to Chicago. … Continue reading
The Rose mansion on the southeast corner of Grand Ave and 4th Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1888
Once upon a time—and by that I mean the late 1800s—downtown Los Angeles—in other words “Los Angeles” because that’s all there was—became dotted with magnificent homes. This particular one was known as the Rose mansion, named after J.L. Rose, whose … Continue reading
Looking north up Fair Oaks Ave past the Acme Hotel on the southwest corner of Dayton St, Pasadena, California, circa 1898
This photo takes us back to Pasadena in around 1898. We’re looking north up Fair Oaks Ave from the southwest corner of Dayton St. On the left we can see the Acme Hotel (surely they could have come up with … Continue reading
A pair of Pacific Electric Red Cars coupled together as they pass through the intersection of Colorado Blvd and Lake Ave, Pasadena, California, October 7, 1950
Until I came across this photo, I never knew that some models of the Pacific Electric Red Cars could be coupled together. And even then, it would be only in places with intersections wide enough to allow them to negotiate … Continue reading
A pair of horse-drawn chariots racing at Tournament Park, Pasadena, California, circa 1900s
I was yesterday years old when I learned that chariot racing was an actual thing in Los Angeles—and I don’t mean while filming “Ben Hur.” From what I can gather chariot racing was part of the annual Rose Parade festivities … Continue reading
Pasadena Presbyterian Church at Colorado Blvd. and Marengo Ave, Pasadena, California, circa late 1800s
(Click on the image to get a larger version, then click again to see the details more clearly.) What a magnificent sight this must have been at the intersection of Colorado Blvd and Marengo Ave in Pasadena. It was the … Continue reading