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Old Pasadena
Some time ago in Indiana in 1873, the place had been hit by the hardest winter ever recorded in history. Dr. Thomas Balch Elliott, together with a group of neighbors, moved to California to look for warmer environment where they can settle down. The people living in the Valley came from Europe and believed to have been productive in cultivating vineyards and orange groves. The California Indiana Colony came up with a decision of purchasing the 4,000 acres of the San Pascual Ranch which was later on renamed as Old Pasadena.
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 The Castle Green hotel was constructed. It was a hotel that transformed into a new building. At first, the hotel was comprised of an annex with tunnels and bridges across the street. By 1924, the hotel was altered into residential apartments while the annex was lowered to one story building. The buildings that remained unchanged were the portico at Raymond and Green, and the Throop University, later known as Caltech. For years, different kinds of office buildings, manufacturers, and automobile dealerships existed and disappeared in Pasadena. From the 30s into the 80s the elegance and fame of the Old Pasadena vanished away and the style of the town slowed down. In 1993, revival came into the town and the area became commercialized making it lively with a very active nightlife, restaurants offer class services and fine dining, theatres started to boom, and clubs and cafes brought in additional income.
The New Year of 1890, as hosted by the Valley Hunt Club, the Tournament of Roses Parade started again. At first it was only a parade of horses and carriages decorated with beautiful flowers in the street of Colorado, but since 1902, the tournament included sports game. In 1920 when the Rose Bowl Stadium was built, football game was also included in the tournament. The Old Pasadena became very popular. If you want to dig out the rich history of Pasadena, include Pasadena travel in your plans of vacation.
About the Author If you are interested in dabbling in some Pasadena travel, be sure you get all the great information Pasadena has to offer and plan that ultimate trip!
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