Veterans Day at Memorial Park

Today is Veterans Day. There was a very nice ceremony at Pasadena's Memorial Park.

A color guard was comprised of Junior ROTC members from high schools in Pasadena.


Other PUSD JROTC members representing three military branches stood by.




The John Muir High School choir performed.


Congressman Adam Schiff was among the speakers.


I didn't want to disturb this veteran who was having a private moment at the park's Pasadena Vietnam Memorial.


The Civil War Memorial is just north of the Vietnam Memorial.


At exactly 11:11 a.m. there was a flyover by the Condor Squadron of World War II vintage aircraft.


Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the echoing "Taps" by two buglers at opposite ends of the park. This is an extremely moving moment every year but I had to get back to City Hall. If anyone else took a photo of one or both of the buglers, please let me know and I'll post it here with a credit.

Mystery History -- Solved

Aha! I stumped you this week.

In the photo above, a demolition crew prepares to raze the headquarters of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Campfire Girls in Memorial Park to make way for the Pasadena Senior Center.

Los Angeles Times -- June 22, 1958:

City directors ordered an immediate start on preparation of plans for a Senior Citizens Center in downtown Memorial Park after two years of discussion. In finally choosing the Memorial Park location, directors sidestepped a triple recommendation that the proposed $90,000 facility be built at Jefferson Recreation Center, 1501 E. Villa. After lengthy studies, the city Planning Commission, the Recreation Commission and the Pasadena Commission for Senior Citizens had all backed the Villa Street location.

The Campfire Girls headquarters was at the south end of Memorial Park, where the Senior Center is today. Here's a pre-demolition photo that shows the side and back of the headquarters (note Holly Street and the buildings across the way, which are still there):

I was nine years old in 1959 and didn't live remotely near Pasadena, but I feel guilty writing this nonetheless: Going, going, gone...


The Pasadena Senior Center opened on May 22, 1960, in Memorial Park. You'll find more history of the center here.

In 1961 the SGV Council of Campfire Girls conducted a major fund-raising drive to raise $40,000 for the purchase of new headquarters at the former Playbox Theater in Pasadena. (We're still researching the location of that theater building; anybody out there know?)

Here's a quote from Mrs. Ervin Wright, then-president of the organization, in an article titled "Camp Fire Girls Start Second 50" in the March 22, 1961, Pasadena Star-News:

We have excellent camps for outdoor activities but still need a permanent local headquarters. Since we left Memorial Park, we have been in temporary headquarters, but a housing committee is now at work formulating plans for what we hope may be a permanent home.

Many thanks to Pasadena Public Library researcher Stephanie Hough.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, so I thought I'd post a couple of photos from Memorial Park.

The park is located on Raymond Avenue between Holly and Walnut.

One of the most recognizable memorials at the park is this one dedicated to U.S. soldiers who fell during the Civil War.

It includes this plaque.

Other memorials at the park are dedicated to those who fell during the American Revolution and in Vietnam.

Pasadena's World War II memorial is at Victory Park.

Mystery History -- Solved

Karin came closest so I'm giving her the fabulous prize! She figured it had something to do with the 1918-1919 pandemic, and she was right.

In the photo above, Pasadena Public Library staff don masks during the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 that spread to 20 percent of the world's population and killed more than half a million people in the U.S. and 50 million worldwide.

Some people have been freaking out about the Swine Flu lately, but it's nothing compared to this post-World War I pandemic.

Pasadena Star-News headlines included these:

City to manage all influenza hospitals

Red Cross sells over 8000 masks

Police are busy with arrests: Persons on streets with no masks compelled to go to court

Gauze protectors may be removed at 5 o'Clock this evening: City returning to normal as influenza greatly lessened

Here are some of those same library employees unmasked.

They worked in the building located in what was known as Library Park (now Memorial Park). This is a postcard with a color-tinted photo. Note the bicycles against the retaining wall at lower left.

Here's a wider shot of the park.


Here's what's left of that library (many thanks to Petrea).

I've always been intrigued by this photo taken in 1920 of Pasadena City Librarian Jeanette Drake (in white) and two unidentified people. That's the Pacific Electric street car barn across the street.

Still worried about Swine Flu? Rest easy by reading the latest update here.


Many thanks to Pasadena Public Library.