Pasadena

Location

Pasadena is situated at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and located just outside of Downtown Los Angeles. It is bordered by: Highland Park, Eagle Rock, South Pasadena, San Marino, Temple City, San Gabriel, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge, and Altadena.

About Pasadena

Known worldwide for its Tournament of Roses, Pasadena is a city with a great historical past and noteworthy architecture. It is home to the beautiful gardens and museums of the Huntington Library, famous Art Center College of Design, the West Coast's Le Cordon Bleu, and one of the best examples of American Arts and Crafts architecture, The Gamble House. Like most large cities, Pasadena is made up of many unique types of neighborhoods: Old Town, Bungalow Heaven, NW Pasadena, Millionaire's Row (Orange Grove Blvd.), San Rafael, Linda Vista, The Arroyo... Pasadena represents a strong Southern California heritage with a diverse community of prideful residents.

The Gamble House

The Gamble house, an iconic element of Pasadena, is a premiere example of Arts and Crafts style architecture. The house and furnishings were designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter and Gamble Company. One hour docent led tours are available to the public Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are sold in the carriage house which doubles as a great museum shop.

The details of this architectural masterpiece are amazing. Beams are all finely sanded to have soft rounded corners, carpets and stain glass windows repeat in design and detail in the rooms they are in. The front door with its stained glass panels and the main staircase have unsurpassed craftsmanship. The fireplace details and tile are just perfect. The tours are carefully thought out, even the electric lighting in each room is the same (quite dim), as it was back in 1908.

Take the time to see this architectural gem and enjoy the afternoon imagining what it would have been like to be a Gamble living in this home all those years ago.