Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Mystery History

I'm not including a Mystery History photo this week because I'm on vacation beginning tomorrow.

Instead, here's a historic photo of a "Merry Xmas" decorated arch over the Colorado Street Bridge.


And, going back much further, here's a wonderful excerpt recounting the first Christmas in the Indiana Colony from the 1917 book "Pasadena: Historical and Personal" by J.W. Wood.

There came the first Christmas when all made merry as best they could. There was no snow like "back home," of course, and it seemed unreal. It did not seem to the children that Santa Claus could ever come to them away off here; for how could he drive a sleigh where there was no snow? Yet they gathered in each other's homes and recounted memories of past Christmases and told yarns of the old times. Perhaps, this first Christmas, there were some tears shed; but, all in all, the first year of the Colony brought with it encouragement and some content; and certainly the hopes of the settlers were not diminished even if mingled with some alloy.
Have a wonderful holiday, everybody!

I'll be back next week when Mystery History will continue.

11 comments:

Margaret said...

I guess this means I can't lose. Happy Holidays.

Anonymous said...

Have a lovely time. Now I'm curious to see this book.

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pasadenapio said...

Margaret, you got lucky!

Karin, it's my very favorite historical book about Pasadena. There are several copies in the Centennial Room at Pasadena Central Library. You can't check it out and take it home, but there's no better place to sit and leaf through it page by page!

Petrea Burchard said...

Merry Christmas, Ann. Thanks so much for all the great stories. I love 'em.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Happy Holiday Ann.

Cafe Pasadena said...

Happy Christmas, PIO!
Do the OT with the vacation!

Unknown said...

Happy new year, Ann!

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