The Arroyo Seco Parks and Recreation Historic District was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in November, nominated by Pasadena Heritage. The nomination, prepared by consultant Teresa Grimes and former Preservation Director Christine Lazzaretto, was a detailed compilation of documentation and research about the Arroyo as park land. The district’s contributing historic features include the Rose Bowl, Brookside Golf Club, Fannie Morrison Horticultural Center (now Kidspace), and a variety of landscape and architectural features found throughout the area. Inclusion of Brookside Golf Club proved somewhat challenging, since the RBOC (the city agency that manages the Rose Bowl and golf course) was concerned that no change would be allowed if the golf course were designated as an historic site. Pasadena Heritage worked hard to better explain and educate RBOC Board members about the processes for evaluation of historic resources and how future change can be accommodated within historic districts. The Arroyo nomination is one of the first successful efforts to define a “cultural landscape” for listing on the National Register. In the future, as changes or improvements are proposed for the Arroyo, this document will provide guidance and information about which features are considered historic and need to be treated accordingly. We are thrilled that the wonderful resource that is the Arroyo, with all its natural beauty and public recreation facilities, is now officially recognized as a
historic district.
Contributing Resources to the historic district:
Brookside Golf Club
Rose Bowl Stadium
Brookside Park
Rookery
Picnic area
Bandstand
Pergola
Baseball diamonds
Tennis courts
Brookside Theater
Jackie Robinson Memorial Field and Stadium
Fannie Morrison Horticultural Center
Holly Street Bridge
Colorado Street Bridge
Mayberry & Parker Bridge
La Casita del Arroyo
La Loma Bridge
San Rafael Bridge
Lower Arroyo Seco Park
Bird Sanctuary
Interesting Historic Facts:
1909: The City first began acquiring land in the Arroyo to create a public park
1918: A plan for the Arroyo recommended that the lower Arroyo be preserved as a natural park, while the Central Arroyo be developed with active recreational uses
1939: Most of the important historic features were completed
1977: The Lower Arroyo Seco Park was designated a City Cultural Landmark
1987: The Rose Bowl designated a National Historic Landmark
BROOKSIDE GOLF CLUB:
The City planned on the development of a golf course in the Arroyo since 1918. The first nine holes were constructed in 1925 with funding from the Chamber of Commerce; the course was completed with additional funds from the Municipal Light and Power Department.
The second course was an employment relief effort, and received funding from the public employees union.
Brookside Golf Club is one of the oldest golf courses in Los Angeles County.
ROSE BOWL STADIUM:
Designed by noted architect Myron Hunt and completed in 1922.
Designated a National Historic Landmark for its role in the history of collegiate sports as the long-term site of the oldest and most renowned post-season college football game.
BROOKSIDE PARK:
In 1912, the City acquired land for the development of a small park in the Arroyo; the site was originally known as the Sheep Corral Springs, as sheep from the San Gabriel Mission g grazed there.
In 1914, Mrs. Brooks donated $3,000 toward the construction of a municipal plunge in the park, and the City named it Brookside Park in her honor.
In 1920, the City hired architect Dorothy Schindler to design an ampitheater (Brookside Theater) on the hillside south of Brookside Plunge.
In 1932, Myron Hunt designed the stadium, dugouts, and adjoining clubhouse at Jackie Robinson Memorial Field (originally called Brookside Park Baseball Field). The Chicago White Sox used Brookside as their spring training ground in 1933.
The Fannie Morrison Horticultural Center (now Kidspace Children’s Museum) was designed in 1938 by noted local architect Fitch Haskell, and was funded by a $55,000 donation from Fannie Morrison.
LA CASITA DEL ARROYO:
Designed by Myron Hunt and constructed in 1932 as an effort to help the unemployed during the Depression and funded in part by the WPA.
LOWER ARROYO SECO PARK:
2 ½ acres were donated to the City for the creation of a public park in 1909 by Dr. Rudolph Schiffman. Lower Arroyo Seco Park represent’s the City’s first effort to create a public park in the Arroyo. In 1982, the City adopted the Arroyo Seco Ordinance, which established the lower Arroyo as a natural preservation area.
BIRD SANCTUARY:
Created in 1935, the Bird Sanctuary was built in honor of Emma Dickinson, who had donated a portion of her large estate and $45,000 to the City when she died. The Bird Sanctuary is one of several examples of private donations of land or funds to support the public enjoyment of the Arroyo.
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