South Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Cathedral Oak Monument

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 30, 2019

1. Cathedral Oak Monument

Inscription.
panel 1:
Under this oak — the legend runs — the first Easter Services in California were held by Father Crespi in 1770.

panel 2:
Near this spot the Cathedral Oak stood. Time destroyed its roots. This monument is placed here in memoriam of this historic tree.

Erected 1932 by Daughters of the American Revolution Oneonta Park Chapter. (Marker Number 19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Historic Trees series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1770.

Location. 34° 7.26′ N, 118° 9.921′ W. Marker is in South Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Arroyo Drive south of Hermosa Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 Arroyo Dr, South Pasadena CA 91030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also

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on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Edmunds House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Watering Trough (approx. 0.6 miles away); San Rafael Ranch Dinner Bell (approx. 0.7 miles away); McClure House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Carnegie Library (approx. 0.7 miles away); Arlington Garden (approx. ¾ mile away); Cawston Ostrich Farm (approx. 0.8 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Pasadena.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 30, 2019

2. Cathedral Oak Monument

The plaques are on the top and front of the pedestal.

South Pasadena Landmark No. 19 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 30, 2019

3. South Pasadena Landmark No. 19

<i>Cathedral Oak, South Pasadena</i> image. Click for full size.

photo courtesy of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library, circa 1895

4. Cathedral Oak, South Pasadena

"A man is seen standing near the large Cathedral Oak in South Pasadena, where Gaspar de Portola during his 1770 expedition cut a cross, slightly visible just to the left of the man, into the tree. This site is now known as the Cathedral Oak Monument, located at 430 Arroyo Drive, and is South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark #19."

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,140 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 5, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on June 5, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.