North Central in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Jackie and Mack Robinson
Robinson Boyhood Home
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Jackie and Mack Robinson Marker
Humble Beginnings of Matthew "Mack" and Jack "Jackie" Robinson
The Robinson family resided at 121 Pepper Street from 1922 to 1946. Four years apart, brothers Matthew "Mack" and Jack "Jackie" attended the same schools in Pasadena including Cleveland Elementary, Washington Junior High, and John Muir High School. They both attended Pasadena Junior College where Mack set national junior college records in track and field and Jackie lettered in five sports: football, basketball, track, baseball, and tennis.
Inspired by the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, track and field became Mack's passion. He made the 1936 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team, winning the Silver Medal in the 200-meter race in Berlin, finishing a half stride behind Jesse Owens. After the Olympics, Mack attended the University of Oregon and received a bachelor's degree in physical education. He returned home to Pasadena, worked for the City of Pasadena, and later in life, became an active volunteer and advocate for safer parks and neighborhoods. Mack was an early supporter of the Special Olympics and its athletes. His achievements were recognized
this page online
It has been said that Jackie's goal was to become an Olympian like his older brother, but unfortunately, his 1940 Olympic dreams were crushed due to World War II. Jackie went on to attend UCLA and lettered in four sports. He briefly played baseball for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro League before signing a contract in 1945 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie was the first African American to play in the Major League Baseball in the modern era when he took the field for the Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 1947, and was selected for the All-Star team six times during his ten-year career with the Dodgers. He was elected to Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1962.
Jackie was an outspoken activist on behalf of civil rights and social justice. He was a constant presence at rallies and demonstrations and a major fundraiser for the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. One of his favorite sayings,
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Jackie and Mack Robinson Marker
The original 121 Pepper Street home was torn down in the 1970s. Another home was built on the same site in 1977 and is now 123 Pepper Street.
At this very site once stood the house of the Robinson Family
A house where Mallie McGriff Robinson courageously sought refuge after leaving Cairo, Georgia-a haven for herself and her five children: Edgar, Frank, Matthew "Mack", Willa Mae, and Jack "Jackie". It was a place to not only exist in a country stained with violent racism toward Black Americans, but to thrive in it.
A house where Mrs. Robinson nurtured a sense of identity and empowerment in her children, imparting the belief that ownership was their birthright, despite living in a time that denied this to Black Americans.
A house where faith, resilience, and love were the cornerstone values, and where crucial lessons of self-defense, fearlessness, and the unwavering demand for respect from others resided!
A house whose porch became a space where endless family stories were
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Jackie and Mack Robinson Marker
A house where the Robinson family took up space, but also a home where they could flourish.
May this plaque stand as a testament to the home Mrs. Robinson crafted-a place where the Robinson family could simply say, "We belong."
Jack "Jackie" Rosevelt Robinson
"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."
-Jackie Robinson
Matthew "Mack" Robinson
"Learn to finish what you set out to do!"
-Matthew "Mack" Robinson
Erected by City of Pasadena.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 34° 10.066′ N, 118° 9.19′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in North Central. It is on Pepper Street east of Sunset Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 Pepper Street, Pasadena CA 91103, United States of America.
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Jackie and Mack Robinson Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on 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: La Pintoresca Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Grace United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pasadena Motorcycle Club Quonset Hut (approx. 0.4 miles away); Business Park of Pasadena (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Lutheran Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Angelo Mazzone Ticket Office (approx. 0.9 miles away); An Unforgettable Day (approx. one mile away); The Washington Square Neighborhood (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.
Also see . . .
1. Jackie Robinson - Pasadena (PBS, 8.5 mins.). "Learn how the early days of Jackie Robinson's life shaped his outlook and character...." (Submitted on November 23, 2020.)
2. Jackie Robinson Plaque Could Be Made More Visible (Pasadena Now, Feb. 12, 2020).
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 22, 2020
5. Original Marker
3. Jackie Robinson (Wikipedia). Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. When the Dodgers signed Robinson, they heralded the end of racial segregation in professional baseball that had relegated black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962." (Submitted on November 23, 2020.)
4. Mack Robinson (athlete) (Wikipedia). "Matthew MacKenzie "Mack" Robinson (July 18, 1914 – March 12, 2000) was an American track and field athlete. He is best known for winning a silver medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics, where he broke the Olympic record in the 200 meter but still finished behind Jesse Owens (like Jesse Owens, Robinson was an African-American). He was the older brother of Baseball Hall of Fame member Jackie Robinson." (Submitted on November 23, 2020.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 22, 2020
6. Original Marker
The marker was flat in the concrete between the sidewalk and curb. The house the Robinsons lived in was demolished in the 1970s.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 845 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on November 23, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
