At The Civic

Like some of you who have websites, I have accumulated a small library of photos. Mostly insignificant and worth maybe $100 on the black market or to a public library.  As it was with Ansel Adams who thought the same about some of his own Los Angeles pictures now hanging in a gallery and fetching $2500 per print 70+ years after the fact.  Well, I’ll probably be RIP by that time with no need for even a penny.

Anyways, remember my words and The Archives of the Cafe Pasadena Collection, if the planet is still round going round & round, and you’re still around.   It will be stored deep in the catacombs of Pasadena history turning into, or gathering, dust.  Temperature, humor, & light controlled, of course.

So you can understand why it’s so difficult for me to write/blog as often as some locals.  One, I’m not a writer as you can read, two, too many bad photographs to try to pick out a decent shot.  Sure, I could write about food/restaurants and local history – my most common subjects – but I don’t wanna bore my readers.

Which brings me to some local history!

 

Pasadena Civic Auditorium

 

I’ve written on this historic Pasadena landmark before.  But it’s not often dressed as above as when we did a drive-by.  It was part of the original civic center trinity plan in the 1920s: Citihall, Central Library, and the Civic. Funded initially by a bond issue approved by voters.  If my memory is still sharp I believe the Civic was the last last of the triune to be completed, in 1931.  The bond funds ran short which delayed the construction.  (Old news is new news!) This was the period of the Great Depression of course.

It has risen since then to host a whole range of events.  From local to national/international events.  State of the Cities, graduations, American Idol, Tournament of Roses, world class entertainment, plays, music, televised events, and I could go on, on & on, on & on…

The famous, and the unknown, the Civic has welcomed them all here in Pasadena.  Nowadays the auditorium is  part of the Pasadena Convention Center complex.

 

I made a note to come back for a better shot of the above setup but I never did.  So I had to settle for this.  But I hope you’ll come to visit this wonderful building, especially if you’ve never been or you’re in the tourist mode.

 

Gotta Get Going! Stay Thirsty My Friends

Hotel Castle GREEN Pasadena

 

Pasadena has a rich history in hotels going back to it’s earliest days as a city in the 19th century.  Hospitality, the railroad, and wonderful weather were among major reasons for its growth.

The Hotel Green was one of the earliest hotels built, along with The Raymond about a mile to its south.  Located in Old Town Pasadena at the corner of Raymond & Green, the first portion of the Hotel Green was built in 1887.  Actually it was first named the Webster Hotel.  But Webster, due to financial difficulties, shortly sold out to his friend Colonel G.G. Green. Additions to the hotel would be made over the next 20 years, extending west across Raymond Avenue.

It’s Moorish design gives it a castle-like appearance. Certainly eye catching appeal even to this day.  This is not meant to be an exhaustive history of the Hotel/Castle Green by any means – just a short chapter in its long storied past in this city.  Please take note that at least once each year Castle Green gives tours to the public for a nominal fee. There is a tour this April as a matter of fact. I recommend you check it out if you’re a Pasadenan or just like architectural history.

 

 

 

The Green has been a major social center since its inception. In 1891 President Benjamin Harrison visited Pasadena and the hotel.  Many gentlemen came to fill its largest hall to see the President. I have a photo of that somewhere!  John D. Rockefeller, and President’s Cleveland & Teddy Roosevelt are just a few of the dignitaries who have felt the hospitality of the Green.

And of course, all kinds parties have been held at the Green. Such as the above, “Tacky Party is Planned for Green”:  Hotel Green will be the scene of a unique party this evening.  (They don’t give wild parties like that anymore!  Or, do they??)

 

 

 

 

Most of the original big resort hotels would meet their death in the 1930’s.  This was the period of The Great Depression and it even affected the wealthy who came to visit and/or live in Pasadena.   It didn’t help that newer, “better” hotels continued to be built. 

The bridge over Raymond Avenue connecting the original east wing with the remaining West Wing would meet an earlier death in 1929.   With it’s blood supply line now figuratively cutoff, it’s no surprise the original Green hotel east of Raymond Avenue (except for a 1 story slice at the corner of Green & Raymond) would meet its own demolition by 1935.

What remains of the Hotel Green is now called the Castle Green.  The hotel has conformed into condos/apartments.  I suppose who can blame evolution or progress for that.  However, during its long history the Hotel Green has suffered many ownership and name changes!   Recall, it was the Webster before it was the Green!  Hotel Pasadena and Hotel Parkview were other names for instance!

But, to get back to the articles, as you can read above and below, in 1924 they were already believing the Hotel Green’s best days as a hotel were in the past.   In fact just a decade later the original hotel would be basically destroyed.  Nevertheless its remains remain a Pasadena historical landmark.

 

 

“Castle Green is a thoroughly Class A building.” “Pasadena may well be proud of Castle Green and no work I have ever untaken has given me greater pleasure.”

 

 

Gotta Get Ready. Stay Thirsty My Friends

Athenaeum & Hollywoodland: The End

I’m sure all our readers will be hysterically happy to hear we’ve reached the end.

The end of our year-end review here on Cafe Pasadena.  The end of 2011 brought to its proper close.

 

These last two postings in December saw us visit the Hollywood Sign via my friend and author, Mary Mallory, through her new book – HOLLYWOODLAND – here at the Pasadena Museum of History.

 

Finally, we closed the old year with recognition of the last major holiday of 2011 with a visit to THE ATHENAEUM decorated for the Christmas season on the vintage campus of Cal Tech.

 

 

And that’s it. We’ve reached the end of the year! Our only friend, the end. It is finished! This is, The End.

 

Happy New Years! Stay Thirsty My Friends

2011: A Year in Review

The staff at the editorial offices of Cafe Pasadena continue looking behind us as we prepare to go meekly & courageously into the New Year…

 

We began dusting off the vast wings of throwaway pics simply gathering dust for public scrutiny.  Here was a sample: LOS ANGELES.

 

With our wonderful Ann Erdman – the Pasadena City Tireless Public Information Officer – unexpectedly going in for some hospital R & R during the summer, it meant no more of her very valuable weekly Mystery Histories until she came back. No Ann and No History was oh no, too much! But Cafe Pasadena, trembling, took the Mysterious History baton to continue learning about our past in her absence.  Here’s one “lesson”: THE CIVIC, and, here’s a second, PERKINS PALACE.

 

 

Gotta Read & Drink. Stay Thirsty My Friends