Thursday, December 2, 2010

Mystery History -- Solved!


Liz wins with her 2:56 p.m. Tuesday guess "on the east side of the San Rafael ave bridge...casting balustrades"

In the photo above, an unidentified worker stands with cast iron baluster molds in 1922 near the San Rafael Bridge in Pasadena, which was under construction.

The original photo is on page 16 of the San Rafael Bridge photo scrapbook in the Centennial Room at Pasadena Central Library.

Here's an early construction photo:



And the bridge today:



If you've never been on the San Rafael Bridge, it's the southernmost bridge over the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena. You can access it from South Arroyo Boulevard and from South San Rafael Avenue.

San Rafael Bridge is one of the contributing resources of the Arroyo Seco Parks and Recreation Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Others among the 14 contributing resources include Brookside Golf Club, Rose Bowl Stadium, Brookside Park, Holly Street Bridge, Colorado Street Bridge, Mayberry/Parker Bridge, La Casita del Arroyo, Lower Arroyo Seco Park and the Bird Sanctuary.

9 comments:

Jean Spitzer said...

1922, huh?

I'm surprised about that, though not about which bridge. I've walked it many times.

Almost one hundred years later, this man looks contemporary.

Congratulations, Liz.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Thanks Jean!

Have you won one of these mystery history(s) yet? if not I think I'd like to pass my win over to you.

Is that ok with yiu Ann?

I recommend the Pasadena City Hall ornament

Bellis said...

Geez, well done Liz. I cross that bridge many times, but never noticed the balusters. Embarrassed! I still think that guy was a hunk, very contemporary good looks.

Generous of you to donate your gift, Liz. I liked the leather notebook and pen.

pasadenapio said...

Jean did win one!

Jean Spitzer said...

Thanks for trying, Liz. Happy holidays!

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Dang! What about Susan Carrier; Has she won a mystery history?

Bellis: thats the bridge I live closest to. The giveaway for me is the flat land he's casting balusters on. It's still there and still undeveloped.

pasadenapio said...

Susan won this one.

There are no hard and fast rules for winners, Liz, so you can do whatever you want! Just let me know.

Petrea Burchard said...

Congratulations, PA. You can accept your prize and give it as a holiday gift!

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I'm still working on it folks...a different Susan

Tommy needs a chew toy