Mystery History -- Solved

It has been several weeks since I've stumped you, and now I've done it again. Some of you came close but didn't quite get there. You can't win 'em all!

In the photo above, two Red Cross nurses and a child in an Uncle Sam costume prepare to march in the Patriotism Day Parade on March 28, 1917, in support of the United States entering World War I.

Following are excerpts from three articles in the Pasadena Star-News on March 26, 1917:

PATRIOTISM TO BE SHOWN ON WEDNESDAY
Loyal Spirit of Pasadena Will Be in Evidence On That Day

Indications are that Pasadena's "Patriotism Day" observance Wednesday evening will be one of the greatest patriotic celebrations ever held on the Pacific coast...

...Patriotic organizations, civil war veterans, business men's groups and others will participate in the great parade which will precede the patriotic mass meeting in Library park Wednesday night. The parade will mobilize on Madison avenue, on both sides of Colorado street, and will start promptly at 7 o'clock to march to Library Park, where the mass meeting is scheduled to open at 7:30 o'clock.

Among the organizations and groups which is now known will be in the parade are members of the Grand Army of the Republic and G.A.R. fife and drum corps. Pasadena company No. 1 of the American Red Cross Ambulance corps, the Loyal Legion, members of the Monterey training camp, Spanish-American war veterans, Sons of Veterans, Throop college students, Pasadena Military academy students and division of business men, including merchants, bankers, automobile dealers and other business groups...

...One feature of "patriotism day" is displaying of the Stars and Stripes everywhere. It was noted by the committee today that this custom is already prevalent, Old glory being seen on every hand.

Here's a 1922 photo of the Pasadena chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic mentioned in the article above -- veterans of the U.S. Civil War who fought for the North.

Display of Flags Now patriotic Duty Says City Official

That the present crisis in international affairs constitutes a "special occasion" warranting the display of the United States flag in Pasadena to the fullest extent possible, was the statement today of Chairman A.L. Hamilton of the City Commission.

Recently the city distributed 150 large American flags, a gift from Mrs. E.W. Brooks. The number had been increased from 100, the amount originally provided, because of the great demand. Everyone receiving one of these flags agreed to display it on all holidays and special occasions.

Chairman Hamilton remarked today upon the fact that few of the flags seemed to be in evidence, and he said the present situation was one calling for the showing of the flag as a mark of patriotic spirit.

"The American flag," said Chairman Hamilton, "stands for right and freedom and justice. Those are the principles that should be called to mind when one sees the American flag flying.

Here's a photo of Chairman Hamilton from the Hall of Mayors.

NEW INTEREST IN RESERVE CORPS
Prospective Officers Are Signing Up Rapidly at Throop College

As a result of the announcement that applications for commissions as first and second lieutenants in the officers' reserve corps may be made locally to Captain Louis R. Ball, military commandant of Throop college, increased interest has resulted and many calls for information received...

...City officials continue to take the lead in steps to prepare themselves or offer themselves for United States service. City Attorney James Howard is among those signed up for the officers' reserve corps and City Prosecutor L.L. Riccardi has followed in his footsteps. Both are studying for the examinations and will be members of the instruction class when it is started.

Today J.E. Carpenter, superintendent of the municipal water plant, consulted with City Engineer R.V. Orbison relative to finding a place in the service in the event of war where his experience would be of value. Even if the city had not declared it would keep open the position of any employe that enlisted, Mr. Carpenter asserted he felt it his duty to offer his services.

Congress approved President Woodrow Wilson's request for a war resolution on April 6, 1917.

The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce had a float in the 1918 Rose Parade -- a flower-laden tank with doughboys on it.


Pasadena's World War I Memorial is at the northeast corner of Colorado and Orange Grove boulevards.


Many thanks to Pasadena Public Library, Tournament of Roses Association, George Eastman House Photography Collection and Michael Beck.

Mystery History -- Solved

Sometimes you have to get up early on Tuesdays to win Mystery History!

Liz wins with her 7:56 a.m. Tuesday guess "raising or repairing or erecting the war memorial on the corner of Colorado and orange grove next to the Norton Simon Museum."

In the photo above, shot by Howard Ballew on May 19, 1948, a worker painstakingly removes the 135-pound bronze eagle from the top of the World War I memorial flagstaff while sidewalk superintendents look on. (I've always been especially intrigued by the Pasadena police officer and the guy with the stogie.)

The flagstaff had just been removed from the intersection of Orange Grove and Colorado by a giant crane because it had been deemed a traffic hazard.








In a few weeks, after having been cleaned up a bit, the flagstaff would be relocated to the little patch of grass at the northeast corner of Colorado and Orange Grove.

World War I began in April 1917 and ended Nov. 11, 1918. Nearly 2,500 Pasadenans served; 46 were killed in action.

The idea to build the memorial flagstaff originated in 1919 when the Board of Pasadena City Directors established a community committee to shepherd the design and construction of a memorial flagstaff. The $36,000 project was funded by contributions from 2,000 local donors. It was decided that the memorial would be placed in the middle of the intersection of Orange and Colorado to enhance Pasadena's west gateway.

The creative talent for the monument was among the cream of the crop of that period: architect Bertram Goodhue and sculptor Lee Lawrie.

Upon seeing the final design in 1925, Charles Moore, president of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts in Washington, D.C., said he considered it "the finest flagstaff base in the country if not the world."

The monument was dedicated Feb. 12, 1927.

In 1999 the City of Pasadena submitted an application for restoration funding to SOS! (Save Outdoor Sculpture!), a joint project of Heritage Preservation and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The restoration process included removal of corrosion, stains and graffiti plus structural repairs. It took some time, but the results were magnificent! The memorial was rededicated on Veterans Day 2001.

Many of you are aware of the incredible 115-foot-tall monument to Pasadenans who served -- and fell -- in World War I. But if you haven't seen it up close, I really encourage you to park across the street on Green or Grand, then walk the couple of blocks to see the memorial and study every detail. It's truly magnificent.


Seven-foot-tall bronze figures in three-quarter relief go all around the cylindrical base, depicting soldiers, sailors, an officer, an aviator, and a Red Cross nurse helping a wounded soldier. Above them, also in bronze, are a California bear, a ship, a fasces (bundle of rods with an ax, signifying authority) and the names of World War I battles.




The inscription in the granite going all around the base of the flagpole reads:

IN PROUD REMEMBRANCE OF OUR GLORIOUS DEAD
MCMXVII MCMXVIII

You'll also find the find the mark of the foundry -- John Polachek Bronze & Iron Co. Inc./Long Island City, N.Y. -- in the granite.

The cast-bronze eagle is proudly perched at the very top of the flagstaff.


The pole itself weighs four tons and is made of steel overlaid with teakwood and clad in copper.

The memorial is on one of our many public art walking tours.




Many thanks to Los Angeles Public Library.