Customer Reviews

Architecture Tours L.A. Guidebook: Pasadena

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I was born in Pasadena, went to college there, and know the city rather well. It is because of that that I like to pick up books about Pasadena. I found this one underwhelming, unfortunately.

The author's biography notes that she is a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Society of Architectural Historians, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. These are all fine outfits, and I belong to all of them. But none of them are exclusive in their membership; about a hundred bucks a year will keep you in good standing in all three. No mention is made of Pasadena Heritage, which is the first place to go for info on historic Pasadena architecture.

The "Introduction" has some jarring errors. The author claims that the "Spanish ... established the Mission San Gabriel to the east, on land which is now part of the present Pasadena." While the current Mission is in San Gabriel, the original site is in Montebello, not Pasadena. Later she says "The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is located here, established by Cal Tech in the 1930s as part of NASA. The first satellite was created by JPL." Although it has a Pasadena address, JPL is in La Canada Flintridge. Caltech scientists began doing rocket tests there in the 30s because it was, at the time, remote. Within a few years they were doing work for the army. NASA wasn't created until 1958. The first satellite was Sputnik 1, built and launched by the Soviet Union. JPL built the first successful US satellite, Explorer 1. That's a lot of errors to rack up before the book even really starts.

The tour begins with the Gamble House, heads up to "Bungalow Heaven", then goes back to the area near the Gamble House. I suppose that makes some sense if you are charging people to drive them around. (The book is based on a commercial tour company's service.) But there are better ways to see the area. You can tour the Gamble House (look it up on line), then go to their bookstore and pay a buck or so for a map and info on walking the neighborhood. Then drive to Bungalow Heaven if you want to see it.

While the photos aren't credited, the picture of Wright's Millard House is taken from inside the grounds. You won't see anything driving by, and not much pressing your face against the fence. (But if you can score a tour, and they are few and far between, it's well worth it.)

The book continues with its very stay-in-your-car based approach. This is not as much as much of a failing as you get away from the area near the Gamble House. Another place I would suggest walking around is the Caltech campus.

When the author gets to the Blacker House she says it "was purchased in the 1980s by an insensitive owner who sold off the light fixtures, art glass, and other items from the house." It was purchased by a dealer who knew the fixtures were worth more than the house, and stripped it by plan. The current owners have done a magnificent job of restoring it, and opportunities to see the results are not quite as rare as opportunities to see the Millard House.

If this books whets an interest in Pasadena architecture I can't entirely slam it. But there are better resources available. Pasadena Heritage has various guides and links. Gebhard and Winter's is the best guide available, even thought it is dated and covers a very large area. But you'll find more good information on Pasadena architecture crammed in there than in all of the present book.