South Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Oaklawn Bridge & Waiting Station
Route 66 Roadside Attraction
— South Pasadena, California —
Photographed By Kevin Hansel and Lucie McMurtie, 2003
1. Oaklawn Bridge & Waiting Station Marker
A singular example of functional public art by architects Charles and Henry Greene, this 1906 span was one of the country's first reinforced concrete bridges.
Recognized by Hampton Hotels Save-A-Landmark program as a site worth seeing.
second marker:
Oaklawn Bridge and Waiting Station, South Pasadena Cultural Landmark Number 3.
Erected 2003 by Hampton Hotels Save-A-Landmark program; and City of South Pasadena. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 34° 7.221′ N, 118° 9.03′ W. Marker is in South Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker is at the intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue and Oaklawn Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Fair Oaks Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 435 Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena CA 91030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vietnam War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Adobe Flores (approx. ¼ mile away); Carnegie Library (approx.
this page online
More about this marker. The Hampton Hotels marker was on a light pole on Fair Oaks Avenue near the Oaklawn Avenue bridge. It is now missing. The South Pasadena plaque is still there.
Photos by Route 66 photographer David Wickline from his book Images of 66, Volume 2: Digging Deeper. Used with Mr. Wickline's permission.
Regarding Oaklawn Bridge & Waiting Station. The Waiting Station, designed by Charles and Henry Greene and built in 1906, is a combination of redwood timber, brick, cobblestone, and tile roof. Located at the edge of the Oaklawn Ave Bridge (also designed by the Greenes) on Fair Oaks Avenue, the station was originally built for the passengers awaiting the "big red cars" on the Pacific Electric Line - a branch of what was one of the greatest
Photographed By Craig Baker
2. Oaklawn Bridge and Waiting Station Marker
The bridge was built over Santa Fe railroad tracks, and the railroad demanded that another support pillar be added to ensure structural integrity. The Greenes insisted that the structure was sound exactly the way it was, but the railroads prevailed and a very unsightly pillar was installed under the center span.
In 2002, when the City of South Pasadena restored the historic bridge, engineers finally vindicated what the Greenes had known all along: the unsightly pillar had been unnecessary. In fact, when engineers examined the construction, they found that the support had been installed with a full inch of space between it and the actual bridge. In 90 years, the pillar had been an eyesore, but never actually supported the structure at all.
Today the railroad under the bridge is part of the Metro Rail transit system.
Photographed By David Wickline
3. Oaklawn Bridge & Waiting Station Marker
The Hampton Hotels marker is on the light pole at left. It is now missing.
Photographed By Craig Baker, 2020
4. Oaklawn Bridge and Waiting Station Marker
The city plaque is on the column.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 15, 2022
5. Oaklawn Bridge
Today the bridge is only open to pedestrians.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 15, 2022
6. Waiting Station
courtesy S.Pasadena Public Library
7. Oaklawn Bridge & Waiting Station - 1971
courtesy S.Pasadena Public Library
8. “Handsome” Oaklawn Bridge - illustration
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on December 19, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4. submitted on December 19, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 7, 8. submitted on December 18, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
