Showing posts with label Landmarks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Landmarks. Show all posts

Friday, September 9, 2011

The Oldest Existing In- N- Out Burger

The In-N-Out on East Foothill is the oldest existing In-N-Out restaurant.   This landmark neon In-N-Out sign was taken down a few weeks ago and apparently hauled off to HQ to be refurbished.   The refurbished sign was reinstalled this afternoon and tonight it looks pretty good. 

The compact red and white In-N-Out drive throughs, the palms and, of course, the signs have become classic southern California images. 

East Pasadena's In-N-Out was built in 1952.   There were a few In-N-Outs built before this one.  But, the earlier restaurants have been torn down and rebuilt leaving this East Foothill location as the oldest standing In-N-Out. 

Memo to In-N-Out corporate:    It is time to take the banner sign down from the roof..   

Sunday, January 31, 2010

In-N-Out -- Historic Sign, Legendary Burgers

The In-N-Out Burger on East Foothill dates back to 1952. Back then East Foothill was part of the famed Route 66. This Pasadena store must have been among the first In-N-Out sites, opening seven years after In-N-Out was started in nearby Baldwin Park.

This In-N-Out Burger sign is on the City of Pasadena's list of historic properties. The neon and bulb rooftop sign is a designated as a Historic Sign.

Pasadena has only one In-N-Out and this is it. Seems this place is always jammed. It is not uncommon for half a dozen cars to line up in the right lane of Foothill waiting to pull into the drive-up. Where else can you get a fantastic hamburger for a buck sixty-nine?

I saw in LA Observed that Huell Howser has an hour special on In-N-Out tonight at 7 pm on KCET. Should be an interesting story about a phenomenon that is part of San Gabriel Valley history and certainly (insert Tennessee accent) a fine example of California's Gold.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

St. Luke's -- Proposed Development


This picture was taken from behind St. Luke's looking north to the mountains. The hospital fronts Washington Street. Across Washington to the north is the Eaton Wash Reservoir.

At a neighborhood meeting on March 19, developer DS Ventures presented its proposal to build senior housing and medical offices on the St. Luke's site. Pasadena Now's report of the encounter is here.


In later posts, I may talk more about the developer's proposal, its treatment of the landmark St. Luke's buildings (interior and exterior), consistency with the Pasadena General Plan, impacts on traffic and views, and emergency and urgent care issues.


But, let's take a moment to look at this property, its landmark status and its traditional use in service to surrounding communities.


Certainly the St. Luke's buildings are architecturally significant. St. Luke's was one of the first buildings in East Pasadena to be declared a city landmark. In context of the East Pasadena community, which was largely built over the last fifty years, St. Luke's art deco facade stands out as perhaps the most impressive historic structure in this area.


But, the property is also significant because of its long-time use to serve the East Pasadena and Altadena communities. When the Sisters of St. Joseph opened St. Luke's in 1933, it was one of the San Gabriel Valley's first hospitals. As homes were built and the area grew, St. Luke's was there to serve the community's medical needs. The hospital use continued for nearly 70 years until it was closed down in 2002.


Among the many things I like about St. Luke's is the northward face of the hospital buildings. The front of the hospital faces north looking toward the Eaton Wash, Eaton Canyon and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

St. Luke's


In 2002, Pasadena City Council declared St. Luke's Hospital, the convent and the chapel as city landmarks. The hospital was built in 1933. In 1947, the chapel and convent were added immediately to the east of the hospital building. This photo, taken from inside the chapel, shows one of the beautiful stained glass windows that line the chapel. The artistry in the stained glass and the plaster relief is spectacular. You have to click the photo to really see the work.

Last year, the St. Luke's property was sold to developer DS Ventures. Pasadena Heritage has placed St. Luke's on its endangered list and has noted concerns about how the developer will treat the landmark buildings.

Unfortunately, landmark protections do not extend to interior features.