Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Mystery History


This locomotive is decorated to the nines. Why?

The first person to guess correctly will win a fabulous prize?

I'll have the full scoop on Thursday

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

first rose parade float

Unknown said...

I was thinking Rose Parade sloat too, but since that's taken, I'll say it's for the festivities surrounding the tree lighting of Christmas Tree lane.

Patrizzi Intergarlictica said...

Whatever it is, it's a magnificent photograph of the once powerful steam locomotive- the most powerful locomotive in the world!

Could this one have been built by the George Stephenson Company? - pre-eminent builder of steam locomotives used on railways in the United Kingdom, the United States and much of Europe.

A nice catch for Pasadena.

Petrea Burchard said...

It's 1913 and Woodrow Wilson is coming to visit Pasadena.

Susan C said...

I think the locomotive is gussied up to honor the passing of a prominent political figure in the 1920s. But who?

Margaret said...

I think the circus is in town. Early 1900s.

Anonymous said...

PIO-A
I thought you might enjoy seeing my fabulous prize in it's adjacent neighborhood

pasadenapio said...

Liz, the ornament looks beautiful in that setting!

By the way, nobody has the answer to Mystery History yet! Keep guessing...

Unknown said...

Either TR is coming in 1903 or President Arthur is coming in 1894?
That's one serious cowcatcher on that train!

Kevin said...

I think it is decorated in preparation for Teddy Roosevelt's May 8, 1903 visit. The key is the swords on the cow catcher, for "The Roughrider." The locomotive is classed as a 0-6-4, based on its wheel configuration.

Paul (the talker guy) said...

It's a festooned locomotive circa 1895, decked out to celebrate an important event, possibly Decoration Day that became Memorial Day.

Just a guess, but if I keep at it one of these will be Decoration Day.

Paul

Unknown said...

How about it's the first train to go between L.A. & the Indiana Colony. It's decked out for the celebration.