Pasadena is one of the most well known cities in Southern California, whether for the annual Rose Bowl Parade and Rose Bowl, as the home of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, it's many cultural attractions or even the Beach Boys hit of the 1960's. There is a lot of history and a wealth of things to see and do in this city, located just outside of Los Angeles. Even if you've never visited the city, you probably know at least a little about Pasadena.
So what does Pasadena have that makes it such a special place? Many towns in Southern California have an interesting past, but Pasadena may perhaps outdo them all. As with many other cities in California, the original inhabitants of the area were Native Americans. Benjamin Wilson, an early settler came to the area and resided on the Lake Vineyard property; it was in 1873, when a doctor visited Wilson from Indiana that the city really took off. The doctor was looking for a place to send patients with respiratory problems and they came in droves. Before long, a veritable Indiana colony had been established and the residents gave the name Pasadena to their new town, from the Indian phrase "of the valley".
Within a decade, the town's fame spread among Easterners. In fact, in the years leading up to the Great Depression, Pasadena became a winter resort for wealthy Easterners. With the influx of settlers from the East came new cultural attractions. Artists, actors, and scientists were among those who helped bring fame to Pasadena. The Pasadena Playhouse, which presents seven shows a season, got its start here in 1917. The Norton Simon Museum, containing art that spans more than 2,000 years from all over the world, was founded in 1922. Pasadena's Art Center of College and Design, a leader in art and design education that trains students to make an impact on the world through their talents, was established in 1930. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) got its start in 1936, with a group of men who refused to believe that rockets only belonged in science fiction. JPL is now a highly respected center for NASA in robotics and spacecraft design and manufacturing.
Once an agricultural community, Pasadena saw a building boom from 1886 to 1888. The Old Pasadena Historic District represented the focus of commerce and industry for the entire San Gabriel Valley. During the 1920s, the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture gained popularity. Visitors today can see remnants of that era by looking at the facades on buildings facing Colorado Boulevard. Perhaps the city's #1 claim to fame is the annual Tournament of Roses, a New Year's Day tradition that has been traveling the same route through town for decades. The event started in 1890, courtesy of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club. As former residents of the East Coast and the Midwest, Californians wanted to let their friends back East know about the state's beauty and mild winter weather. As one professor said, "Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise."
And of course, there is the Rose Bowl, "The Grandaddy of Them All" when it comes to college football games The Rose Bowl has sold out every year since 1947. While you can of course watch the Rose Bowl on television, there's nothing like being there in person. If you're thinking about going, look into Pasadena hotels and lodges online.
So what does Pasadena have that makes it such a special place? Many towns in Southern California have an interesting past, but Pasadena may perhaps outdo them all. As with many other cities in California, the original inhabitants of the area were Native Americans. Benjamin Wilson, an early settler came to the area and resided on the Lake Vineyard property; it was in 1873, when a doctor visited Wilson from Indiana that the city really took off. The doctor was looking for a place to send patients with respiratory problems and they came in droves. Before long, a veritable Indiana colony had been established and the residents gave the name Pasadena to their new town, from the Indian phrase "of the valley".
Within a decade, the town's fame spread among Easterners. In fact, in the years leading up to the Great Depression, Pasadena became a winter resort for wealthy Easterners. With the influx of settlers from the East came new cultural attractions. Artists, actors, and scientists were among those who helped bring fame to Pasadena. The Pasadena Playhouse, which presents seven shows a season, got its start here in 1917. The Norton Simon Museum, containing art that spans more than 2,000 years from all over the world, was founded in 1922. Pasadena's Art Center of College and Design, a leader in art and design education that trains students to make an impact on the world through their talents, was established in 1930. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) got its start in 1936, with a group of men who refused to believe that rockets only belonged in science fiction. JPL is now a highly respected center for NASA in robotics and spacecraft design and manufacturing.
Once an agricultural community, Pasadena saw a building boom from 1886 to 1888. The Old Pasadena Historic District represented the focus of commerce and industry for the entire San Gabriel Valley. During the 1920s, the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture gained popularity. Visitors today can see remnants of that era by looking at the facades on buildings facing Colorado Boulevard. Perhaps the city's #1 claim to fame is the annual Tournament of Roses, a New Year's Day tradition that has been traveling the same route through town for decades. The event started in 1890, courtesy of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club. As former residents of the East Coast and the Midwest, Californians wanted to let their friends back East know about the state's beauty and mild winter weather. As one professor said, "Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise."
And of course, there is the Rose Bowl, "The Grandaddy of Them All" when it comes to college football games The Rose Bowl has sold out every year since 1947. While you can of course watch the Rose Bowl on television, there's nothing like being there in person. If you're thinking about going, look into Pasadena hotels and lodges online.
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If you are coming to Pasadena, wear some flowers in your hair and be sure to choose from the tremendous selection of Pasadena hotels available for all budgets.
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