South Pasadena: A Centennial History, 1888-1988

South Pasadena is fertile ground when it comes to history. With its legacy of landmarks, it is recognized for its preservationist achievements like few other cities in the nation. Its distinctive cultural character has been protected by one generation after another, passed down like a one-of-a-kind heirloom. Residents and visitors alike can stroll its streets in any direction and quickly observe much that is worthy of admiration. As glorious as they are, however, so many of South Pasadena's most noteworthy historical resources, be they beautiful homes, old fashioned streetscapes, shady avenues, or rolling hillsides, are nonetheless inanimate.