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

Places Change, People Endure

Exploring Pasadena's Past

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

1. Places Change, People Endure Marker

Click on image for a larger view.

Inscription. It's hard to envision this neighborhood before freeways sliced through the landscape. Instead of massive overpasses, imagine quiet streets, busy churches, and small businesses. Although their family homes and familiar places have been erased, the people who once called this neighborhood home have left their marks in countless ways.

The few people pictured here honor the many whose stories we honor.
• Alice Brown grew up in this neighborhood, ran track for John Muir High School, and won medals in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. (Alice Brown-Harris)
• Fred Hiraoka worked at Lincoln Market, was interned during World War II, and became the first Japanese American engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1957. (Pasadena Heritage)
• Arthur Prince's family helped establish the First AME Church. Arthur later served as superintendent of the Enterprise School District in Redding. (Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection, OpenUCLA)
• Jesusita Mijares (seated center) started making tortillas out of her home on South Fair Oaks Avenue, expanding her business into the family-owned Mijares Restaurant. (The Mijares Family)

Photo captions/credits (top to bottom)
• View from City Hall before the freeways, 1966 (City
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• First AME Sunday School, 1933 (Pasadena Museum of History (BH-D-1-12-01))
• Pasadena Union Presbyterian Church (formerly Japanese Union Church), 1962

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Asian Americans • Hispanic Americans • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.

Location. 34° 8.852′ N, 118° 9.244′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Old Pasadena. It is at the intersection of North Pasadena Avenue and Holly Street, on the right when traveling north on North Pasadena Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 74 N Pasadena Ave, Pasadena CA 91124, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: At Home in Old Pasadena (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Building Freeways, Dividing Communities (about 600 feet away); Exploring Pasadena's Past (about 600 feet away); Mapping Prejudice in Pasadena (about 600 feet away); Bonham Alley (about 700 feet away); Christensen Alley (about 700 feet away); Hugus Alley (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Salvation Army Meeting (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

2. Places Change, People Endure Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 44 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.