100th Anniversary of the Hill Avenue Branch Library
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Hill Avenue Branch Library located at 55 S. Hill Avenue. The library was designed by noted Pasadena firm Marston, Van Pelt and Maybury and opened on May 6, 1925. It is the oldest library building in Pasadena, preceding the opening of the Central Library by two years.
However, the Hill Avenue Branch’s history goes further back to 1910 when the library board established the East Branch after residents petitioned for a library to be opened in their part of the city. It was first located on the second floor of the Giddings Building, owned by the Giddings family, on Colorado Boulevard and Holliston Avenue. It started out with a collection of 700 books, but by the end of the decade the collection had grown to over 7,000 books and periodicals. In 1919, the branch moved to larger quarters in a vacant feed and fuel building.
During its first ten years, the East Pasadena Branch, as it was also known, maintained a busy schedule working with the Jefferson and Grant elementary schools nearby and depositing books at six fire stations on a quarterly basis.
In 1922, a rainstorm caused heavy damage to the building it was using, and when repairs proved too costly, it was decided that a new library should be built instead. The bonds for a new building failed to pass in 1923 but passed in 1924 after a vigorous campaign to build a permanent branch in East Pasadena.
The current building opened in 1925 and was dedicated as the Hill Avenue Branch. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the building’s historical architecture has been maintained throughout the years and is listed in the City of Pasadena's Cultural Heritage Landmarks.
Located at a busy intersection near Pasadena City College, Caltech, Saint Philip the Apostle School, and a thriving neighborhood, the Hill Avenue Branch continues to be engaged with the community it serves and is one of the most visited libraries in Pasadena. Stop by and check out this century-old library!
100th Anniversary of the Hill Avenue Branch Library
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Hill Avenue Branch Library located at 55 S. Hill Avenue. The library was designed by noted Pasadena firm Marston, Van Pelt and Maybury and opened on May 6, 1925. It is the oldest library building in Pasadena, preceding the opening of the Central Library by two years.
However, the Hill Avenue Branch’s history goes further back to 1910 when the library board established the East Branch after residents petitioned for a library to be opened in their part of the city. It was first located on the second floor of the Giddings Building, owned by the Giddings family, on Colorado Boulevard and Holliston Avenue. It started out with a collection of 700 books, but by the end of the decade the collection had grown to over 7,000 books and periodicals. In 1919, the branch moved to larger quarters in a vacant feed and fuel building.
During its first ten years, the East Pasadena Branch, as it was also known, maintained a busy schedule working with the Jefferson and Grant elementary schools nearby and depositing books at six fire stations on a quarterly basis.
In 1922, a rainstorm caused heavy damage to the building it was using, and when repairs proved too costly, it was decided that a new library should be built instead. The bonds for a new building failed to pass in 1923 but passed in 1924 after a vigorous campaign to build a permanent branch in East Pasadena.
The current building opened in 1925 and was dedicated as the Hill Avenue Branch. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the building’s historical architecture has been maintained throughout the years and is listed in the City of Pasadena's Cultural Heritage Landmarks.
Located at a busy intersection near Pasadena City College, Caltech, Saint Philip the Apostle School, and a thriving neighborhood, the Hill Avenue Branch continues to be engaged with the community it serves and is one of the most visited libraries in Pasadena. Stop by and check out this century-old library!
February, 2025 The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was the First African-American Trade Union, founded in 1925
In the February post on Pasadena Public Library's "On the Shelf" blog, Shauna Redmond shares the history of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Be sure check in out at https://pasadena-library.net/adult_services/2025/the-brotherhood-of-sleeping-car-porters/
February, 2025 The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was the First African-American Trade Union, founded in 1925
In the February post on Pasadena Public Library's "On the Shelf" blog, Shauna Redmond shares the history of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Be sure check in out at https://pasadena-library.net/adult_services/2025/the-brotherhood-of-sleeping-car-porters/
January/February 2024
In the January/February issue of "Off the Shelf" Pasadena Public Library's newsletter, an article titled The Story Begins, A History of the Pasadena Public Library, written by History Librarian Young Phong, documents the beginning of the library which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. Check it out at "Off the Shelf"
January/February 2024
In the January/February issue of "Off the Shelf" Pasadena Public Library's newsletter, an article titled The Story Begins, A History of the Pasadena Public Library, written by History Librarian Young Phong, documents the beginning of the library which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. Check it out at "Off the Shelf"
June 22, 2023
Check out Pasadena Public Library's "from the Archives" blog post titled Happy Birthday, Octavia Butler! Celebrating her life, work, and legacy at the La Pintoresca Branch Library. Written by AnnMarie Kolakowski, Branch Manager of the La Pintoresca Branch Library.
June 22, 2023
Check out Pasadena Public Library's "from the Archives" blog post titled Happy Birthday, Octavia Butler! Celebrating her life, work, and legacy at the La Pintoresca Branch Library. Written by AnnMarie Kolakowski, Branch Manager of the La Pintoresca Branch Library.
June 5, 2023
Check out Pasadena Public Library's From the Archives blog post titled Hidden treasures of the Pasadena Public Library: Artifacts, memorabilia, and other miscellanea from Pasadena's and California's past Young Phong.
June 5, 2023
Check out Pasadena Public Library's From the Archives blog post titled Hidden treasures of the Pasadena Public Library: Artifacts, memorabilia, and other miscellanea from Pasadena's and California's past Young Phong.
February 1, 2022
Check out Pasadena Public Library's "from the archives" blog post titled "Black History Month: Pasadena celebrates its own" Young Phong. Contributing writers: AnnMarie Kolakowski and William Gerber.
February 1, 2022
Check out Pasadena Public Library's "from the archives" blog post titled "Black History Month: Pasadena celebrates its own" Young Phong. Contributing writers: AnnMarie Kolakowski and William Gerber.