In this holiday season, permit me to take a few moments to finish our tour of a popular image which has become one representation of the Christmas holiday.
Evergreen fir trees have been used to celebrate winter festivals (Christian and pagan) for thousands of years. In recent centuries Christmas Trees as we know them are used to represent the Christian belief of eternal life with God thru Jesus Christ. Nobody seems to know when/where the first “Christmas” Tree originated. The most popular origins for the tree being used as a symbol of Christmas is from medieval Europe, particularly Germany and Riga, Latvia. Well, wherever or whenever it originated, the Christmas Tree makes it’s “everlasting” life presence in Pasadena 2016!
Now, in this third & last stop of our visits to the Christmas tree forest of Pasadena this season we feature a sample of the trees in the Playhouse District.
This tree ornament of Pasadena City Hall was created by local artist Joseph Stoddard. It can be purchased at Vroman’s.
Bank of the West building
The Playhouse district is a vibrant and relatively large area. Besides Old Town Pasadena a quarter-mile to its west, this district has it’s own good share of old/historic architecture, centered primarily on Colorado Boulevard. It’s the part of Pasadena I know best, centrally located, and perhaps just a couple of reasons why I consider it the heart & best part of Pasadena. I hope to be able to still hold that opinion five years from now.
You’ll find personal service and good people at Monopole
Academy Theatre. The theater was built in the 1920s.
The playhouse, the official State Theater of California, was also built in the 1920s. Looks like their tree got a special visit from St. Nick.
This building, across the street from the historic Pasadena Playhouse, is one of the newest and best buildings in the city
Walt Girdner Photo Studio & Gallery
Walt Girdner’s is in a historic building from the 1920s. It resides between the new Playhouse Plaza and the “ancient” Pasadena Playhouse
Akira’s Restaurant
Style Lounge, located in the historic Arcade between Colorado Boulevard & Green Street
The floral shop is housed in a former Cadillac car dealership
Like what you see, thinking of doing business or living in the Playhouse district? Or, maybe you’re visiting for Christmas & New Years and just want to be in the know of what to do in the district. Then I recommend you visit the PDA office. You’ll meet the fine people above, posing with their Christmas Tree: Pasadena Playhouse District Association Executive Director & his staff. Visit the PDA office when you want to be in the know of what’s happening in their district.
Visit the rest of the Christmas trees and decorations before the “season” is over – there’s a lot more to explore here than what I showed!
Gotta Rest! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year My Friends!
