Once upon a time, back home in Indiana, each winter just kept getting colder and colder. Well, Dr. Thomas Balch Elliott brought together a group of 100 Hoosier families that were sick and tired of it all and headed west to California in 1873. The current inhabitants of the Valley were from Europe and considered by the California Indiana Colony to be quite industrious growing vineyards and orange groves. The colony purchased 4,000 acres of the San Pascual Ranch that would later become Old Pasadena with the deal concluding at Christmas time of that year.
The one who planned most of the set up of the whole town was Calvin Fletcher. The town which was once an agricultural and ranching center now became well developed and a center for business and trading remained to be beautiful until the present time. The current downtown historic district is bordered by Holly Street, Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Parkway, Green Street, and the old Santa Fe Railway, to Central Park onward to DeLacey Street, Pasadena Boulevard and North still to Union Street. The whole town district and each of these streets were rich in historical and even traditional features.
Old Pasadena's first home purchase was the cottage at Orange Grove and Lincoln belonging to Albert Bristol. Barney Williams ran the first general store at the dead center of town where he was the supplier of goods and post office. Building continued through the end of the nineteenth century with the Pasadena Library in 1884, leading eventually to the incorporation of Pasadena in 1886. Across the street from Barney's place was built the Grand Hotel that later became the Dodsworth Building in 1902. This city became a winter haven for visitors coming from as far away as the east coast. Originally, the schoolhouse was built downtown at Fair Oaks and Colorado Blvd, and later moved as the city encroached upon its border.
In 1887, another hotel, The Castle Green, was built. It metamorphosed over the years to include the original hotel, an annex across the street with tunnels and bridges to allow access to the hotel and railway. By 1924, it was all converted into residential apartments and the annex was downgraded to one story. All that is left is a portico at Raymond and Green. Along this same block was Throop University, which would later become Caltech. Many other office buildings, manufacturers, and automobile dealerships have come and gone in Pasadena. From the 30s into the 80s Old Pasadena lost its flair. Buildings became decrepit and run down. In 1993, a revival of the area commenced and it now upholds a very active nightlife with shopping, restaurants, theatres, clubs, and cafes. Most buildings still have residents in upstairs apartments.
In January 1, 1890, the Tournament of Roses Parade was enlivened again by the Valley Hunt Club. There were horses and carriages decorated with beautiful flowers parading down the street of Colorado. In 1902, sports games were added to the tournament leading to the construction of the Rose Bowl Stadium in 1920. If you are planning to make some historical travels, include the Pasadena travel and make sure you have enough time to discover and uncover all the stories behind the Old Pasadena. - 16492
The one who planned most of the set up of the whole town was Calvin Fletcher. The town which was once an agricultural and ranching center now became well developed and a center for business and trading remained to be beautiful until the present time. The current downtown historic district is bordered by Holly Street, Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Parkway, Green Street, and the old Santa Fe Railway, to Central Park onward to DeLacey Street, Pasadena Boulevard and North still to Union Street. The whole town district and each of these streets were rich in historical and even traditional features.
Old Pasadena's first home purchase was the cottage at Orange Grove and Lincoln belonging to Albert Bristol. Barney Williams ran the first general store at the dead center of town where he was the supplier of goods and post office. Building continued through the end of the nineteenth century with the Pasadena Library in 1884, leading eventually to the incorporation of Pasadena in 1886. Across the street from Barney's place was built the Grand Hotel that later became the Dodsworth Building in 1902. This city became a winter haven for visitors coming from as far away as the east coast. Originally, the schoolhouse was built downtown at Fair Oaks and Colorado Blvd, and later moved as the city encroached upon its border.
In 1887, another hotel, The Castle Green, was built. It metamorphosed over the years to include the original hotel, an annex across the street with tunnels and bridges to allow access to the hotel and railway. By 1924, it was all converted into residential apartments and the annex was downgraded to one story. All that is left is a portico at Raymond and Green. Along this same block was Throop University, which would later become Caltech. Many other office buildings, manufacturers, and automobile dealerships have come and gone in Pasadena. From the 30s into the 80s Old Pasadena lost its flair. Buildings became decrepit and run down. In 1993, a revival of the area commenced and it now upholds a very active nightlife with shopping, restaurants, theatres, clubs, and cafes. Most buildings still have residents in upstairs apartments.
In January 1, 1890, the Tournament of Roses Parade was enlivened again by the Valley Hunt Club. There were horses and carriages decorated with beautiful flowers parading down the street of Colorado. In 1902, sports games were added to the tournament leading to the construction of the Rose Bowl Stadium in 1920. If you are planning to make some historical travels, include the Pasadena travel and make sure you have enough time to discover and uncover all the stories behind the Old Pasadena. - 16492
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