by Steve Fjeldsted, City Librarian

The release of a new book by Jane Apostol, easily one of California’s top local historians, is a cause for celebration for lovers of fine bookmaking and top-notch writing on the Golden State. Apostol’s latest book is actually an expanded, updated edition of her very first book: SOUTH PASADENA: A CENTENNIAL HISTORY: 1888-1988 which launched her storied career as an author in 1987. Since then she’s gone on to pen 13 more acclaimed titles including Painting with Light: A Centennial History of the Judson Studio, Museums Along the Arroyo, and Vroman’s of Pasadena: A Century of Books. 

Copies of the first edition now exchange hands for handsome sums on the rare book market while the new popularly-priced edition can be ordered today. The second edition of the award-winning book greatly enhances the original edition, the first full-length history of the City of South Pasadena. It retains all of the content of the first edition and adds 50 pages to what was already an unsurpassed 300 page chronicle. It contains more than a dozen new photographs and more of Jane Apostol’s sharply focused yet perceptive prose covering the last two decades of what is one of the most historically significant communities in Los Angeles County. 

The original edition was accorded accolades in 1987 by Doyce B. Nunis, Jr., Editor of Southern California Quarterly who stated “Occasionally a local history comes along which stands in a class by itself…With infinite charm and stylish grace Mrs. Apostol tells the story of her community in a prose that is a genuine pleasure to read. And her research is solid…” Donald R. Fleming, President of the Book Club of California opined: “This is the best and most readable coffee-table book to appear in many a moon—highest recommendation.”

No less than three other illustrious Book Club of California members are well represented in the volume. Not only is the author a highly respected member, the book also showcased the talents of two famous, longtime members, none other than Lawrence Clark Powell (1906-2001) and Ward Ritchie (1905-1996). Both of them grew up as close friends in South Pasadena and went on to storied literary careers.  As so many already know, Powell was one of the top writers and literary critics of the American West. He was also the Library Director at UCLA. While he was at the helm, the institution enjoyed its greatest growth and today one of the libraries bears his name. For many decades Ritchie was an internationally-recognized book designer.

South Pasadena is undoubtedly fertile ground when it comes to history. The “Island in the Sea of Insanity” is known for its abundance of stunning Craftsman homes.  And with its shining legacy of prevalent landmarks, it is recognized for its preservationist achievements like few other cities in the nation. Its landmarks include The Bissell House, a mansion once inhabited by the family whose surname was known in millions of American households because of the floor sweepers that bore their name; Wynyate, a mansion displaying Queen Anne architecture that was built by South Pasadena’s first mayor Donald Graham and his wife, celebrated author Margaret Collier Graham; and The Garfield House, a gabled Craftsman bungalow built for Lucretia Garfield, the widow of President James A. Garfield.

Steadfastly protecting its beautiful neighborhoods and small town charms against the threats to which so many other areas have succumbed, South Pasadena continues to thrive even though it’s surrounded by so many developments. Its distinctive character has been protected by one generation to the next, and passed down like a one-of-a-kind cultural heirloom. Its busiest street, Fair Oaks Avenue was an important link in the original Route 66 and remains a vital thoroughfare today. The city also is home to its own beautiful Carnegie Library, located inside a picturesque park. It’s an expansion of the original facility, and features original artwork by Leo Politi, Merrell Gage, and Judson Studios.

The quiet, historic character of its attractive neighborhoods is a testament to the preservationist efforts of residents in protecting both its architectural and natural beauty. For decades the City has fought the incursion of the 710 Freeway and its interchange which would carve deeply into its unique character

Dubbed “The City of Trees” because more than 21,000 trees adorn its streets, South Pasadena is a situated a mere six miles from downtown Los Angeles.  South Pasadena occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel Valley and the east side of the Arroyo Seco. The Arroyo, “Southern California’s Most Celebrated Canyon” begins in the San Gabriel Mountains near Mt. Wilson and sharply descends to the Jet Propulsion Lab and Devil’s Gate Dam before it meanders past the Rose Bowl, and the (in)famous Colorado Street (Suicide) Bridge. It then passes through South Pasadena on its way to the Southwest Museum, El Alisal, and many other historic landmarks before it empties into the Los Angeles River near Elysian Park and Chavez Ravine, home to Dodger Stadium. The Arroyo Seco Parkway which ran along the eastern edge of the Arroyo became the state’s first freeway when it opened as the Pasadena Freeway in 1940.

Residents and visitors alike can stroll South Pasadena’s 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, or shady avenues, are nonetheless inanimate. But one of the most important South Pasadena historical resources, Jane Apostol remains very active, breathing so much life into history.

As a fundraiser The Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library are offering Jane Apostol’s SOUTH PASADENA: A CENTENNIAL HISTORY: 1888-1988; SECOND EDITION WITH CHRONOLOGY, 1988-2008 for sale by mail order. The handsome hardback can be obtained at the South Pasadena Public Library for $44.95 or by mail order by sending a check made out to the “Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library” for $50.95 for each copy (includes $6 per book for shipping and handling). Mail orders are to be sent to “Apostol Book” at the South Pasadena Public Library, 1100 Oxley Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.