Building History

This two-story, cross-gabled building served as Pasadena's first Central School during the 1880s. In 1887, a new Central School was erected, and this building rented to Pasadena's new city government, formed in 1886.

It functioned as a city hall for a few years, perhaps between 1887 and 1891, before it was obtained by young men belonging to the Pasadena Athletic Club. An article in the Los Angeles Timesreported in 01/1891: The PasadenaAthletic Club is a rustler from ‘way back. Five months ago it was organized by a few of our young men who were interested in the promotion of athletics and outdoor exercise generally. Without money, but upheld by increasing enthusiasm and hard work, the club has made phenomenal progress, until now it numbers one hundred members and is in possession of the entire old City Hall building, which is well adapted to the requirements of such an organization. Thursday evening was a gala occasion in the club’s history, being the opening of the gymnasium, a large apartment occupying most of the second floor of the building. The gymnasium is large, airy and well lighted. At night the illumination comes from six electric lamps depending from the ceiling. On the east side is a stage, behind which an immense American flag hangs, and on either side the field flags bearing the club colors—red and blue. A horizontal bar that can be removed at pleasure occupies the center of the room. Near it hand a trapeze and swimming rings, while around the sides are arranged pulley-weight machines, a fencing outfit, boxing gloves, dumbbells, Indian clubs, chest-expanders, a biceptor, etc. A parallel bar and a rowing machine will be placed on the stage in a day or so. New apparatus will be purchased as rapidly as the state of the club’s finances will allow, so that it will not be long before the gymnasium is thoroughly equipped. The ground floor of the building will be fitted up as smoking and card rooms and the club parlor.” (See “Pasdena: Great Growth of the Pasadena Athletic Club,” Los Angeles Times, 01/31/1891, p. 7.) The article suggested that, despite the group having 100 members, finances were tight. More money had to be raised to add other equipment.

By 1898, a brief note in the Los Angeles Times indicated that the PAC had been reorganized and had lost the old City Hall as a clubhouse: "In the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium tonight, the Pasadena Athletic Club perfected its organization. Charles Bettis was elected captain, E. Hart, manager, Williams Magee, treasurer. It was decided to set the football eleven at work immediately and later to branch out into general athletics. The club will endeavor to maintain a gymnasium and headquarters of its own.” (See “News from Southern California Towns: Pasadena—Pasadena Athletic Club,” Los Angeles Times, 09/06/1898, p. 11.)

PCAD id: 24880