[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
[Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Property Company]
A monument has been erected at 100 W. Walnut St. remembering minorities that once lived in the area.
“Beginning in the late 1800s generations of African Americans, Japanese Americans, Mexican Americans and other residents lived in this neighborhood. They raised families, ran businesses, built churches and shaped Pasadena’s social fabric while combatting racial prejudice and discrimination,” a plaque at the site reads.
African Americans living nearby were displaced by freeway construction and Chinese residents were run after a violent mob burned down businesses. A resolution was later passed by Pasadenans barring those of Chinese descent from living in the predominant parts of Pasadena.
Despite the incidents, there are no monuments commemorating that part of the city’s history.
Caltrans demolished hundreds of African-Americans homes to make way for a freeway extension that was never completed. In recent years, the land has served as little more than a rock quarry.
The city is currently working with Caltrans to reclaim the land.
The city erected a plaque at Mills Place where the mob burned Chinese businesses.
However, the sign only mentions a fire in passing after praising Alexander Mills for planting citrus groves and briefly mentions a fire destroying businesses in the area in 1885.
Councilmember John Kennedy, who represents the area where the new buildings in the complex are located, fought to make sure history was properly reflected.
“We worked hard to make sure this critical component was included in the development and I demanded that it would be more than just a work of art,” Kennedy said. “The images and words had to be researched, authentic and representative of what actually happened.”
Kennedy praised the developers for doing their part and city staff for providing oversight.
“I am sure there is much more to come in introducing the monument to the residents of Pasadena and our neighbors in the region,” Kennedy said. “I look forward to adding even more of my voice to the exposition of the historical and present significance of the monument(s) in the days, months and years ahead. Your comments, reflections and thoughts add to the richness of our proud history.”
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
One thought on “Monument to Minority Residents Contributions Erected at Development Site”
The Northwest Commission played a key role in designing and fine tuning the content and approach to this installation. It would be nice if that fact was recognized.