North Central in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
La Pintoresca Library
Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, April 6, 2024
1. La Pintoresca Library Marker
City of Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark
Architects: Bennett & Haskell
1930
Erected 1986 by City of Pasadena.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 34° 10.153′ N, 118° 8.97′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in North Central. It can be reached from the intersection of Raymond Avenue and Washington Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1355 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena CA 91103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Grace United Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackie and Mack Robinson (approx. Ό mile away); Pasadena Motorcycle Club Quonset Hut (approx. Ό mile away); Business Park of Pasadena (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Washington Square Neighborhood (approx. 0.8 miles away); Washington Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Lutheran Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Cypress Court (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.
More about this marker. The marker is only visible when the library is open.
The parks perimeter rock retaining wall and steps are remnants of the
this page online
Also see . . . Books, not booze! (Pasadena Public Library). Full title: Books, not booze! How the anti-saloon movement helped establish the first branch library in North Pasadena
Excerpt: In 1905 Painter sold his hotel to General M.C. Wentworth, who renamed it the La Pintoresca Hotel (which means the picturesque in Spanish). It continued to thrive for another seven years until a fire destroyed it in 1912. The hotel was not rebuilt and Wentworth eventually sold the land to the City in 1914.(Submitted on May 7, 2024.)
Eleven years after the purchase, the City converted the property to a park in 1925 and hoped someday to add a branch library next to it. In 1930, that hope was realized with the construction of the La Pintoresca Branch Library, the namesake of the hotel which had previously occupied this site. It replaced the North Pasadena Branch, which was established in 1908 and which hitherto was located in rented quarters next to a grocery store.
This year marks the 88th anniversary of the La Pintoresca Branch Library building and the 110th anniversary of the branchs establishment. The first branch of the Pasadena Public Library, the La Pintoresca Branch has a long and proud history, one that speaks of community spirit, civic engagement, and a thirst for learning.
Its history begins in 1905 when the Washington Heights Womans Christian Temperance Union decided to sponsor a reading room for the residents of NorthPasadena. The significance of this event is best understood in the context of Pasadenas anti-saloon movementPhotographed by Tatiana Zavala, April 6, 20242. La Pintoresca Library MarkerNext to the main entrance.
Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, April 6, 2024
3. La Pintoresca Library
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2024, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 7, 2024, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
