How Pasadena Became a Model City for Historic Preservation

Pasadena is known for its historic buildings and sites beautiful because they present classic beauty and profound architectural traditions of days gone by. 

Historic sites in the city include the iconic Pasadena’s City Hall, an exquisite 1927 landmark that exhibits Italian Renaissance and Spanish influences, the arching Colorado Street Bridge, a historical landmark constructed in 1913 and many others. 

Before being recognized as a historic city and becoming a gold standard of historic preservation, residents had to fight hard to save meaningful older structures from the onslaught of development.

The existential threats to so many of these beautiful, historic places we still enjoy and use today became the impetus of many early preservation efforts in the city.

“The plan in the late sixties and early seventies was to drastically change the city, which included tearing down many historic places in order to build new buildings that the Redevelopment Agency thought would bring more economic vitality and interest to the city,” Pasadena Heritage Executive Director Sue Mossman recalled.

The seventies were a period of economic revitalization, primarily under the direction of the Pasadena Redevelopment Agency. Large corporations relocated their headquarters to Pasadena, the Conference Center was built, and the Plaza Pasadena retail shopping mall was completed, among numerous projects.

Because of the demolition of historic buildings and plans to demolish more, residents stepped up, resulting in the founding of the Pasadena Heritage. Ultimately the Pasadena Redevelopment Agency, a government body dedicated to urban renewal, was dissolved by the California Supreme Court.

“Pasadena Heritage was founded to bring the voice of history and historic places to the community’s consciousness and to the City Council’s attention. And that led to a lot of debate, controversy, challenge, and ultimately the Redevelopment Agency was disbanded and the City Council became the Redevelopment Agency for the city. So it was our elected representatives making these choices,” said Mossman.

“50 years ago, nobody was thinking about saving the old stuff. It was just tear it down, build new, get on, create a different future. And luckily we stopped that attitude and changed the vision to one that includes keeping our history and making it part of this community going forward.”

Mossman said from the community side and from the city government side, Pasadena is now held up as a model city for historic preservation because of its efforts to protect old structures.

Pasadena’s beautiful historic sites are one of the many reasons why tourists visit the city and people choose Pasadena as their home.

“We draw people here for tourism and to live and to work because they want to be in this beautiful historic place,” Mossman said.  “Culturally and economically, it really has become our identity and it’s a huge economic benefit to the city to have this reputation.”

“The buildings and the stories behind them bring people together and provide historic fabric that weaves all the community together. So I think it’s a unifying element and it’s something we can all embrace and share and be proud of,” added Mossman.

May is dedicated to National Preservation Month, which celebrates the nation’s heritage through historic places. Organizations across the country promote a variety of activities on the local, state, and national levels.

Last Thursday, May 25, the city hosted a Preservation Awards Ceremony to recognize property owners, designers/architects and contractors for exceptional historic resource restoration or rehabilitation projects. 

Awards have also been given to recognize individuals that have contributed to multiple projects, for positive infill projects in historic neighborhoods, and for historic preservation educational efforts.

This Tuesday, May 30 from 5:30-7 p.m. Pasadena Heritage, in celebration of National Preservation Month, will host talks about the difference that historic preservation makes in Pasadena.

The event will take place at the historic Blinn House at 160 North Oakland Avenue. 

More information about the event can be found here: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-preservation-in-pasadena-origins-and-impacts-tickets-630295419567?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

For over 50 years, Pasadena Heritage has been working to make historic preservation part of the ethos of the city. One of its major tasks today is to help the city in finalizing specific plans that will define future developments.

In June, Pasadena Heritage is throwing Preservation Pasadena Weekend, where it will explore the architecture of the 20s and 30s and highlight the work of Myron Hunt, who was a very important local architect.

For more information, visit: https://pasadenaheritage.org/