Comments on Pasadena Daily Photo: Owl Drug Store

You did, Brigham! I've never lived in a downtown a...

2009-11-06T18:58:35.797-08:00

You did, Brigham! I've never lived in a downtown area and always thought it would be cool--at least when you're young. Maybe I wouldn't like it so much now but I would have liked it a few years ago.

I used to live across the street from the building...

2009-11-06T00:17:53.903-08:00

I used to live across the street from the building and I always LOVED coming home (esp. after a hectic day) because for some reason or another, the architecture and history of the buildings just made me feel like I was living somewhere special (in the LA area).

Hi Diana, welcome! That's a great idea, whether my...

2009-11-05T06:41:41.003-08:00

Hi Diana, welcome! That's a great idea, whether my brother shows up or not!

Give your brother one of Pasadena Heritage's quart...

2009-11-05T00:35:57.678-08:00

Give your brother one of Pasadena Heritage's quarterly walking tours of Old Pasadena! Who knows what other architectural treasures you'll learn about?

Hi pictublog, thanks! Come by anytime. Ms. M., we...

2009-11-04T21:06:52.288-08:00

Hi pictublog, thanks! Come by anytime.

Ms. M., we had -- I don't remember what we had as a kid in DeKalb. Not chains. Later on it was Walgreen's and Rexall.

Historical photos tomorrow, folks.

I, too, enjoyed seeing the mosaic in the doorway. ...

2009-11-04T19:54:43.814-08:00

I, too, enjoyed seeing the mosaic in the doorway. I remember seeing those as a kid in downtown buildings in KC and St. Louis. I've never been to an Owl Drug Store, tho. We had Katz.

first time visit to this blog. i like it....:)

2009-11-04T19:00:40.243-08:00

first time visit to this blog. i like it....:)

Much great info shared today, including several pe...

2009-11-04T16:55:49.542-08:00

Much great info shared today, including several people who wrote in with photos to share. More on the blog tomorrow about Owl Drug and Old Town.

I'd love to see that calendar, Dive.

Don't feel bad, Margaret. So many of us didn't notice it.

Great info, Pascal Jim. I've done some reading about Clark/Clarke and that area north of the corner. He was quite the entrepreneur.

For years this building was owned by a Mr.Corodian...

2009-11-04T12:55:08.158-08:00

For years this building was owned by a Mr.Corodian, who operated a top end used clothing store (better than the others. I had several conversations with the man, he purchased the building for around $250M and when Old Town developed sold for a huge sum in the millions. He owned other properties in the area. Made Many Dollars.
Another BTO was Fred Clark, owned most of upper FairOaks where Parsons now located, Was a horse stable area on Walnut, the "Dirty Picture House" formerly the Oaks Theater where Pasadena Playhouse originated,then a Salvation Army Distribution Center.

My grandfather worked for the Owl Drug store in Fr...

2009-11-04T12:40:13.161-08:00

My grandfather worked for the Owl Drug store in Fresno during the Depression. How did I not know that was at the J. Crew?

I thought this rang a bell, Petrea. Then I checked...

2009-11-04T11:23:56.447-08:00

I thought this rang a bell, Petrea. Then I checked back in my vintage San Francisco postcard calendar that Katie gave me last year and lo and behold there is an Owl Drug Store in a 1930's street scene at the bottom of Powell Street, with a cablecar turntable right outside it.
Nice mosaic!

Ann, you have all the time in The World!!

2009-11-04T10:59:45.389-08:00

Ann, you have all the time in The World!!

Petrea, there's a wonderful historic photo of Owl ...

2009-11-04T10:09:52.763-08:00

Petrea, there's a wonderful historic photo of Owl Drug in our digital photo archives. If I can find the time today, I'll search for it and email it to you.

I'm glad you caught that chic young woman going in...

2009-11-04T09:49:09.772-08:00

I'm glad you caught that chic young woman going in there rather than me - I'd have ruined their preppy image! Never noticed the Owl tiles before, thanks for all the history.

I did think of Katie when posting this (mosaic fan...

2009-11-04T09:09:41.709-08:00

I did think of Katie when posting this (mosaic fanatic). I didn't think Shell would be redoing her bathroom.

Aysegul, the building is currently a J. Crew store. J. Crew is an American chain selling men's and women's casual clothing. http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp

I didn't notice the tiles until some time within the last year. It's odd or sad that someone went to a lot of trouble, almost 80 years ago, to put those tiles down and so many of us never notice them.

even in the 80's before the redevelopment, FO & Co...

2009-11-04T08:50:40.312-08:00

even in the 80's before the redevelopment, FO & Colorado was run down. I took a bus now and again & would have to change there to get just about anywhere else. I had STRICT instructions not to talk to anyone, go anywhere with anyone or take anything from anyone. You would hardly know it now to look at the area---somewhat akin to the opposite of Mtn View Cemetery and 50 years ago.

I remember the Owl tiles, I remember Rexall but can't remember if it was still open when I was changing buses (they used to be somewhat like Starbucks--one on every corner). I seem to recall it as a place to hide if need be, but that was 25-30 years ago...memory isn't what it used to be.

Thanks for the memories!

Me either. I'll keep an eye out for it

2009-11-04T08:45:32.373-08:00

Me either. I'll keep an eye out for it

In all my shopping sprees to Old Town, I don't rec...

2009-11-04T08:36:16.368-08:00

In all my shopping sprees to Old Town, I don't recall noticing the Owl Drug Co mosaic!!! Thanks Petrea!!! I do remember Old Town in the 60's...it was very run down with a lot of pawn shops, old junky antique stores, and questionable businesses...I loved it when they did the redevelopment!!! And still love it...Old Town is a gem!!!

wv: edgess...feminine for living on the edge....

Very interesting old door. And very cool photo -- ...

2009-11-04T07:25:05.359-08:00

Very interesting old door. And very cool photo -- I really like that you captured the hip chick with her fun boots. Yep I'm with Shell -- the mosaics are great! I bet there were all sorts of treasures for sale at the old Owl Drug.

Stumble in for cough syrup and leave with a chic n...

2009-11-04T05:40:50.628-08:00

Stumble in for cough syrup and leave with a chic new sweater. Cool!
V

Its a beautiful doorway but I wonder what's inside...

2009-11-04T02:33:08.095-08:00

Its a beautiful doorway but I wonder what's inside??

I LOVE the mosaic tiles signage ~ so glad they kep...

2009-11-04T02:01:51.941-08:00

I LOVE the mosaic tiles signage ~ so glad they kept that. When I re-do my bathroom, I want that on the floor. Guests will wonder why The Owl Drug Co. is so close to my heart ~ what a fun talking point that will be!! {I wasn't serious to start with, but the idea's growing on me...}