Top Historical Points of Interest in Pasadena

Great care has been taken to retain the character and charm of the City’s rich architectural and historical heritage.

Great care has been taken to retain the character and charm of the City’s rich architectural and historical heritage. According to the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce (please scroll down to the bottom of the page for website) there are approximately 1,000 buildings in Pasadena that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors are welcomed at most of the City’s historic treasures.

Gamble House (http://www.gamblehouse.org/), built in 1908, is the most complete and best reserved example of the work of the internationally renowned Pasadena architectural firm of Greene and Greene. It has also been hailed as one of the best examples of the California bungalow style and American Craftsman architecture. The home was donated to the City of Pasadena by the heirs of the Cincinnati soap mogul and is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Gamble House is located at 4 Westmoreland Place and for more information about tours, call (626) 793-3334.

Completed in 1927 as the centerpiece of the Civic Center, Pasadena City Hall (http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/cityhall/) is an outstanding example of Italian Renaissance architecture with Spanish influences. This historical landmark, with its red tile cupolas and floors, beautiful courtyard with flowers, greenery and a splashing fountain evokes California’s Spanish heritage. The structure usually houses most City offices, including the Council Chamber. However, since City Hall is currently undergoing an extensive restoration and seismic retrofit, most of the City offices are now located in the historic Chamber of Commerce Building.

At the south end of the Civic Center is the renowned Pasadena Civic Auditorium (http://www.thepasadenacivic.com/), site of a variety of cultural and entertainment events. The 3,000 seat Auditorium was originally built in 1932 and refurbished most recently in 1997. The Pasadena Center includes conference and exhibition facilities as well as the Pasadena Ice Skating Center. The Civic Auditorium and Pasadena Center are located at 300 East Green Street. For information, call (626) 793-2122.

Located at the north end of the Civic Center on Walnut Street, is the Pasadena Public Library (http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/LIBRARY/), which was dedicated in 1927, when renowned Southern California architect, Myron Hunt, turned over library keys to the City of Pasadena. The 110,000 square foot landmark, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, includes many special features such as oak paneling, cork flooring, and oak and wrought iron furniture.

Southwest of the Civic Center on Raymond Avenue is The Green Hotel (http://www.castlegreen.com/history.html), an example of Moorish-Moroccan design by Greene & Greene, built in 1898. It is now called Castle Green and houses apartments and condominiums. The authentic 1890s interior is a popular site for movie locations. Castle Green is located on the southwest corner of Raymond Avenue and Green Street.

On the west side of Pasadena is the Wrigley Mansion and Gardens (http://www.pasadenacal.com/pk7.htm), which is now the permanent home of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. This Italian Renaissance style house, once owned by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr., was built between 1908 and 1914. Limited tours are available at Wrigley Mansion, located at 391 South Orange Grove Boulevard. For more information, call (626) 449-4100.

Fenyes Mansion (http://www.pasadenahistory.org/thingstosee/fenyesmansiontours.html), home to the Pasadena Museum of History, was built in 1905, and is one of the last remaining homes on Pasadena’s “Millionaire Row” with its original furnishings intact. The 18-room mansion, which once housed the Finnish Consulate, features an outstanding collection of 15th and 16th century European art. The Fenyes Mansion is located at 470 West Walnut Street, and the Historical Museum can be reaching by calling (626) 577-1660.

The Colorado Street Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Street_Bridge) is another Pasadena landmark resulting from the Beaux Art School of design influence on the early architecture in the City. The John Alexander Low Waddel – designed arch bridge was renovated by a unit of the Parsons Corporation in 1993 and successfully withstood the forces of the 1994 Northridge earthquake.