Friday, July 31, 2009

SOUTH LAKE IN 1965, LOOKING NORTH FROM DEL MAR


Another view of South Lake Avenue looking northward from the south side of the intersection at Del Mar, on the sidewalk in front of Bullocks. Again, with the 1920's monumental seven-story Italian Renaissance Revival Style Security Pacific bank building on the southeast corner of Colorado and Lake in the distance, but closer than the last view. The Security Pacific bank building was apparently demolished after it was damaged in the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake and the present unremarkable building was erected. It's possible to just make out the projecting vertical neon sign which said Security Pacific Bank on the east facade of this magnificent building. We are missing the beautiful and artful neon signs of Pasadena's past. Here we have a Thunderbird parked at the curb and a Buick whizzing down South Lake, with a Corvair going upstream. Notice the shoe store on the northeast corner of Del Mar and Lake, much more attractive than the way the building looks now.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

SOUTH LAKE IN 1965, LOOKING NORTH FROM MIDBLOCK TO DEL MAR


A view of South Lake Avenue looking northward from the crosswalk in front of Bullocks Department Store, in 1965. Del Mar is the next cross street intersection, with the 1920's monumental seven-story Italian Renaissance Revival Style Security Pacific bank building on the southeast corner of Colorado and Lake in the distance. The Security Pacific bank building was apparently demolished after it was damaged in the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake and the present unremarkable building was erected, which is now (2009) slated for demolition for the New Hotel Constance Project (more on Hotel Constance, SW corner of Mentor and Colorado later). Stores seen are Haggarty's , Blums and Barker Bros. Furniture, with an MG sports car in the foreground and pedestrians crossing in the crosswalk.

NORTHLAKE MARKET, 250 NORTH LAKE AVENUE


Here we have the "Northlake Market" located at North Lake and Locust Street, southeast corner, and equipped by the Henslee Corporation as it was new in the 1920's. The building still exists as the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore, but has been unfortunately altered over the years. Perhaps the building can still be restored back to its beautiful Art Deco style look? Less likely things have happened.


Locust Street on the westside of Lake was the driveway for the Theodore Lukens' Estate, which still exists at the terminus of Locust at North El Molino as the most amazing Victorian Gingerbread mansion in Pasadena complete with hitching post and riding mount stone in the front parkway. Theodore Lukens was a Pasadena civic and business leader and outstanding conservationist, founding the research station at Henninger Flats, and Mt. Lukens was named after him. Also, he is known as the "Father of Forestry." More to come on Lukens and the Lukens' Estate, which originally had an address on North Lake Avenue where the Locust driveway begins, but is now listed at 267 North El Molino Avenue.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Pasadena Mental Health Center, 1495 North Lake Avenue




Again, we have another official Pasadena City Landmark on Lake Avenue, the large Craftsman style " Breiner House " designed by famed Pasadena architect Cyril Bennett and built in 1914, located in the Lake Washington Village area on North Lake Avenue. The Breiner House is prominently located on the Northwest corner of Ladera Street and North Lake Avenue and has been occupied by the Pasadena Mental Health Center for a number of years. Cyril Bennett is well known for having designed many major landmark buildings in Pasadena such as the Civic Auditorium and the Pasadena Playhouse, as well as a large number of other notable structures in the area.