South Pasadena Historical Landmarks
So Pas City Directories
So Pas Historical Landmarks
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Historical Photos of So Pas
Adobe Flores
Adobe Flores was the headquarters for General Flores during the Mexican-American War. The home was the location for the final meeting with the General and his troops at the end of the war. It was built on Rancho San Pascual from 1838 to 1845, and restored by architect Carleton Winslow in 1919. Winslow also designed four Spanish-style adobe bungalows near the east and north sides of the original adobe. All four homes still stand, situated among newer homes and apartment buildings. Adobe Flores is U-shaped, with 3,700 square feet. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This is a private residence, not open to the public.
Cawston Ostrich Farm
In 1885, Edwin Cawston chartered a ship for the purpose of transporting from South Africa to America some of the best ostriches obtainable in the world. Of the original 50 fine birds only 18 survived the five week voyage to Galveston and hazardous railroad journey to their new home in Southern California. The ostrich farm opened at this 9 acre site in South Pasadena in 1896.
The Cawston Ostrich Farm was the premier tourist attraction of its day. The long plumes and feathers of the giant birds were widely sought after and used by fashion designers. Just a few feet from this site stood the building where the feathers could be seen being processed. Hats, boas, capes, and fans were made from the feathers and shipped throughout the world.
Oaklawn Bridge & Waiting Station
The Waiting Station, designed by Charles and Henry Greene and built in 1906, is a combination of redwood timber, brick, cobblestone, and tile roof. Located at the edge of the Oaklawn Ave Bridge (also designed by the Greenes) on Fair Oaks Avenue, the station was originally built for the passengers awaiting the "big red cars" on the Pacific Electric Line - a branch of what was one of the greatest rapid transit systems in the country.
The Hampton Hotels marker is on the light pole at left. It is now missing.
The station also signified the entrance and set the tone for the handsome houses in the development along Oaklawn Ave. The tracks down Fair Oaks Ave have long since been removed. The Waiting Station is a Registered South Pasadena Historical Landmark, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The bridge was built over Santa Fe railroad tracks, and the railroad demanded that another support pillar be added to ensure structural integrity. The Greenes insisted that the structure was sound exactly the way it was, but the railroads prevailed and a very unsightly pillar was installed under the center span.
In 2002, when the City of South Pasadena restored the historic bridge, engineers finally vindicated what the Greenes had known all along: the unsightly pillar had been unnecessary. In fact, when engineers examined the construction, they found that the support had been installed with a full inch of space between it and the actual bridge. In 90 years, the pillar had been an eyesore, but never actually supported the structure at all.
Today the railroad under the bridge is part of the Metro Rail transit system.
Pasadena Historical Landmarks
San Marino Famous People / Historical Landmarks
Former Avery Corporate Offices @ 415 Huntington Drive, San Marino
Although it all started in Los Angeles in 1935 in the 1970's Avery Labels Corporate offices were once located at 415 Huntington Drive in San Marino. R. Stanton Avery made his home in Pasadena for many years until his death at the age of 90. OSG Publisher " JB" Griffin a print salesman back in the day used to call on Avery at the former San Marino Corporate Headquarters and was lucky enough to meet Stanton Avery one day at the Salt Shaker in Pasadena where Mr. Avery was having lunch.
The Huntington Flagpole
Towering 132 feet high, this flagpole overlooks the Huntington Art Gallery, the original home of founders Henry E. and Arabella Huntington. Henry purchased the pole - made from a single Douglas fir tree - in 1909. The metallic paint is so convincing that most visitors have no idea the pole is made of wood.
After traveling from Oregon by boat, the flagpole was carted by a team of horses from Redondo Beach to its location here, where it has been standing tall ever since.
George S. Patton
The descendant of a distinguished pioneer family and son of San Marino’s first Mayor, General Patton, a “spit and polish soldier” became one of the most brilliant, decisive and aggressive military commanders in American History. He was born and raised on the family ranch adjacent to what is now the Huntington Library.