Thursday, November 12, 2009

Mystery History -- Solved


Mike wins with his 7:37 a.m. Tuesday guess "Looks like an event in preparation to build the new & improved Colorado St bridge in 1951."

In the photo above, a ground-breaking ceremony is taking place in May 1951 for the "new" Colorado Street Bridge, which by the time it opened would be renamed Pioneers Bridge.

Caltrans had called for the Colorado Street Bridge to be demolished because a more sturdy bridge with a larger number of lanes was going to be built. It would be called the New Colorado Street Bridge.

But the people of Pasadena protested vehemently, Caltrans backed off and the beloved bridge was saved.

Caltrans then decided to build a completely separate bridge, parallel to the historic landmark.

By the way, I'm not sure that if this photo were taken today we'd see a little tot playing directly underneath that gigantic earth mover!

6 comments:

Bellis said...

Trust a dog to sniff it out first! Do you have any T-shirts for dogs in your prize chest? I wondered if the little boy had any significance - was he perhaps the descendant of a pioneer?

Anonymous said...

Pioneer bridge is the connecting point between the 134 and 210?

My grandfather owned a small home on a large property. He lost it through immanent domain to make way for the 210 freeway. It was somewhere east of Allen. This happened much later then 1951 though. I remember visiting his home around 69. Perhaps one of your readers might know the time span of when the 210 made it's way through Pasadena. A future Mystery History???

Congratulations CO!

Petrea Burchard said...

Congrats, to the Cafe Canine. I had no idea that bridge was called Pioneer Bridge.

Good thing I don't live in a bigger town. I'm overwhelmed with all the history we have here.

Cafe Pasadena said...

Thanks again, Ann. I can hardly wait to claim my fabulous prize this time: ride on the Blogger Float in the Rose Parade!

Thanks, y'all. I couldn't have done it w/o y'all...sleeping in late! Especially de PA.

pasadenapio said...

PA, yes, it's the freeway bridge that crosses over the Arroyo Seco and leads to Orange Grove Boulevard and San Rafael exits.

Anonymous said...

Milkbones for everyone, on the house (CO's house)!