Thursday, August 27, 2009

Heritage Square: Not Square

Even in 1893 an octagonal house was unusual. This was Gilbert Longfellow's second octagon house, originally located on San Pasqual Street in Pasadena near where Caltech stands now. The Longfellow-Hastings Octagon House has been part of Heritage Square Museum since 1986.

The house has been partially renovated and is currently used to display photos and other items. I loved the linoleum carpet and the view up the stairs.


Here's our friend Brian Sheridan, Heritage Square's Director of Development and Communications, standing in the doorway to the dining room. He's holding a recent LA Times article by Sam Watters about the Octagon House.
Some of the buildings at Heritage Square are completely refurbished and ornately decorated. Some are still rough.

Octagon House is squarely in the middle.
A view from a window in Octagon House.

17 comments:

Shell Sherree said...

That would make for some really quirky angles inside for Brian to play with. And I'd like to take a magic carpet ride on that amazing piece of lino!! I love your pretty pic through the lace curtains, too, Petrea. Made me think of a pitcher of iced tea...

Italo said...

WOW!!! To have eight possibilities to watch at the garden, the streets, Everywhere the sun. Nice. And more angles, more things to buy to full them :)

Hilda said...

It's unusual and looks great now. I think it would be absolutely fabulous when they're done renovating it. Thanks to people like Brian!

Unknown said...

I simply can't get enough of the posts this week! Thank you so much for the wonderful tour :)

Unknown said...

Love seeing these. You did do a lot of work on this location. Way cool.

Lori Lynn said...

Love that view through the lace curtains and that porch!
LL

John Sandel said...

You take good pitchers.


logwooth?

Petrea Burchard said...

I got a picture of the linoleum, Shell, but decided not to show it. I got pictures of everything! But I wanted to leave some surprises for people to see when they visit.

I think that was the idea, Italo. I don't know why it didn't catch on.

Hilda, the exterior is in perfect condition (as you see). They've done a great job.

Kate, it's my pleasure. Can you tell?

Thanks, Ibarionex. I tried taking shots at the previous locations with my new Canon, but... Well, John and I use an acronym around here. It's "RTFM." Three of those letters stand for "Read The Manual."

Merci, Lori Lynn.

Why thanks, J+P. Logwooth? Don't mind if I do.

Anonymous said...

I've passed that house a million times and always wanted to visit.

Margaret said...

There is something very twilight zone about Heritage Square.

Chuck Pefley said...

Petrea, love the view through the curtains!

Evelyn said...

Really enjoying this Heritage Square photo series. That last shot through the lace curtains is wonderful. You really do get a sense of what the space would be like as a real neighborhood (best neighborhood ever?) instead of a preservation lot.

Commenter Margaret is also spot-on. The Octagon House does have a touch of "Twilight Zone," doesn't it?

Aside: My word verification is "rusnk." Think this thing knows I'm in the market to buy a car? ;-)

Petrea Burchard said...

Hey, click on Evelyn's link. She's got more info and a great shot from upstairs, plus a shot of the house being moved...down Fair Oaks? Very cool.

I just posted some shots of the smoke plume over La Canada Flintridge at http://petreab.blogspot.com/.

Katie said...

I'm loving this Heritage Square photo tour, and now I want an octagonal house! (Actually I'll take two -- one in California and the other on the coast of Maine.) Very interesting history; so glad this one was saved. I'm with everyone else who loves the last photo of the view through the lace curtains -- simply stunning.

Mademoiselle Gramophone said...

You know I think your series on Heritage Square is heavenly.

Ms M said...

Lovely photos of a historic gem. I particularly like the photo through the gauzy curtains.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm glad folks have enjoyed this. Only one more day! I'll miss it. But I've still got lots of Heritage Square pictures I can pop onto the blog from time to time.

What will I post Saturday? I have no idea.

I tried more with the new Canon today and I think (hope) I had better luck.