South Arroyo in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Baker Alley
Named for John Hamilton Baker, one of four advance men sent west to select a site for the Indiana Colony in 1873 and one of the twenty-seven original settlers in Pasadena. His house, at the southwest corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Walnut Street, was the second to be built in the new community, and his blacksmith shop at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue was the second business in Pasadena's emerging commercial center. When he died in 1926, Baker was one of the last surviving Indiana Colonists.
This historical marker was donated by: The families of Elizabeth Baker Grobecker and Katherine Baker Gove, granddaughters of John Hamilton Baker.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 34° 8.595′ N, 118° 9.053′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Arroyo. Marker is on Baker Alley just south of Dayton Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pasadena CA 91105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1909 Seagrave (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Site of Throop University (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yuen Kee Laundry (about 500 feet away); Castle Green (about 600 feet away); Martin Alley (about 800 feet away); McCormick Alley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edwin Alley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mercantile Place (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.
Regarding Baker Alley. The Indiana Colony was settled by a group of Indiana residents who sought warmer weather after the exceptionally cold winter of 1872-1873. The name of the colony was later changed to Pasadena.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on December 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.