Tuesday, April 10, 2012

La Casita del Arroyo

That's the far west end of the historic Colorado Street Bridge out across the way. Between us and it lies Lower Arroyo Park. The Arroyo Seco runs deep here, with the trees you see growing tall from its depths and water, hikers, runners, dogs and horses you don't see coursing through it.

We're looking out of a window from La Casita Del Arroyo, a Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark "designed in 1932 by Architect Myron Hunt and built by unemployed workers during the depression," according to Pasadena Public Works.

You can rent La Casita, did you know that? I don't know this stuff until I want to post a picture. I have to do the research. I'm not a fountain of knowledge (there, now I've said it). I could guess about it, but then we'd be calling the blog Pasadena Daily Whatever (which has a nice ring to it on my lazy days).

If you have your event at La Casita you'll have some spectacular views, not least of which is the bridge at night. If you have your event during the day, you may have a hiker or two stopping by the buffet. But whenever you have it, you'll have it with a helping of history.



17 comments:

Bellis said...

One of my favorite Pasadena buildings, made with the materials of the arroyo below - wood and rocks. The native and mediterraneum plant garden at the front is incredibly beautiful right now.

Latino Heritage said...

So glad you discovered this. It is a joy.

I went to a most magical wedding receptions at La Casita on a winter's night. They had added little white lights that were wrapped in tule all around the shelf that is about foot below the ceiling. At different intervals where the tule was gathered, they had small, almost tiny, bouquets that mimicked the brides flowers. It gave the room a fairy tale feel without being too precious.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Bellis! It's good to see you.

The "Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark" link (which I've just fixed, so it should be working now) takes you to lacasitadelarroyo.org, which tells about the gardens, maintenance and history. It's a really nice website.

Petrea Burchard said...

That sounds so pretty, Roberta. Makes me want to do it at my house. I was at an evening party last weekend, set in the back yard, with little white lights and candles. A bit of magic.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Vic and I were told that the wood board was scavenged from a track that was created for bicyclist in the 1932 Olympics. It was part of the research we did when we were commissioned to do the PA for the 1932 Swim Stadium.

"PA" has multiple incarnations for me

Virginia said...

Well Missy, you can just put that place on the list for the next trip ! :) And I DO remember that bridge!
V

Petrea Burchard said...

PA, the cycleway started at the Hotel Green and got part of the way downtown before they stopped building it: http://www.arroyoseco.org/bike/bikeway.htm
I love that some of the wood came from there and I'll bet that's true.

Virginia, we can walk around the place and peek but it takes permits and rigmarole to reserve it, so I don't think we'll go inside.

Laura M said...

My daughter was married at La Casita, just at the bottom of the stairs under an oak tree. The reception was inside.

Petrea, once a week the building is open for a couple hours in the evening so people can get a look to see if they want to rent it. It's run by the Rec. dept. so if you call (626) 744-7195 you should be able get the time it's open.

Margaret said...

I love this picture. That bridge is so picturesque.

Ms M said...

Your photo is provocative, grist for a story; it seems to be out of another time. A gorgeous view....

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Thanks for the link. I'm familiar with the bikeway but I believe that the information I came across had something to do with a track that was built around or in the Rose Bowl for the 1932 Olympics......any historians out there who are in the know?

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks for the number, Laura. I didn't know!
It sounds like your daughter's wedding was beautiful.

Thanks, Margaret. Yeah, I never tire of looking at the bridge.

Ms. M, so many views like that around here. Preservation is a big deal in Pasadena, so even though we have our share of progress (good and bad), we're fortunate to have views like this, too.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ooh, PA, that one I don't know about. I'd love to hear about it, though.

Dina said...

Ahh, nice. I love to look down at trees and up at bridges.
Pasadena Daily Whatever--ha, good one!

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm sure you know the feeling, Dina. You just can't keep all that information in your head.
Can you? Do you really know everything about Jerusalem? Because honestly, you are a fountain of fascinating information.

Dina said...

Jerusalem Hills Whatever would be appropriate on some days.
Wednesday I spent hours in the Holy Sepulchre and the Old City with a friend, a Catholic nun from Italy. She lives in Jerusalem whenever she can because she loves the place. A day following her and you learn more than from a dozen guidebooks.
Just to say, I realized how many little details I had been missing. Like in life, it is WHO you know. The right who can teach you so much.

Petrea Burchard said...

I hope you took pictures. Actually, I know you did.