06 July, 2009

Courtyard Fountain at Pasadena City Hall-My World in June 2009





Pasadena City Hall, completed in 1927, is currently the tallest building in Pasadena and a significant example of the City Beautiful movement of the 1920s. In 1923, the people of Pasadena approved a bond measure issuing $3.5 million towards the development of a civic center. City Hall was to be the central element of this center. The San Francisco architecture firm of Bakewell and Brown designed the City Beautiful and California Mediterranean influenced City Hall. It was completed on December 27, 1927at a cost of $1.3 million. It measures 361 feet (110 m) by 242 feet (74 m), and rises 6 stores. There are over 235 rooms and passageways that cover over 170,000 square feet (16,000 m2). The defining dome, located above the west entrance, is 26 feet (7.9 m) tall and 54 feet (16 m) in diameter. On July 28, 1980, Pasadena City Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The courtyard has a strong Spanish Colonial atmosphere. The focal point is the cast stone Baroque fountain. 22.5 feet tall with a basin 25 feet in diameter. Paths of crushed granite define the flower beds and cloistered arches paved with red Padre tile surround the courtyard. California live oak trees provide shade for the azaleas, hydrangeas, rhododendron and beds of annuals that are planted on a rotational basis.

I do hope you enjoyed a visit to one of my favorite California cities.

Please stop by and visit the MY WORLD MEME hosted by the fab team of Klaus Sandy Ivar Wren Fishing Guy Louise. We had over 100 visitors last.

51 comments:

Daryl said...

Oh I like this a lot .. and I am taking a good look at your angles, there's a fountain in Central Park I want to shoot .. and you've inspired me!

Gaelyn said...

Nice fountain. I really like the faces spitting water. And the close up is superb.

Luiz Ramos said...

Beautiful fountain and shot.
Thanks for share.

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous shots! Love the different angles and the close up! And thanks for the info about Pasadena, interesting!

Carver said...

That's a beautiful fountain. Great shots and an interesting post.

??? said...

Lovely photos, thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You really did a nice job on your depth of field on these shots. Your work is very good.

2sweetnsaxy said...

Wow, what wonderful shots! I love the slight soft focus of the background which makes the fountain stand out almost surreal.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

That is so beautiful and yes is very Eropean

MedaM said...

Oh, that is really beautiful fountain. There are so many beautiful and interesting details on it. And I am delighted with the way you took its photos.
Have a wonderful night!

Reader Wil said...

Very great photos of this fountain! You have taken it from all angles! Thanks for sharing and for your visit.

Maria said...

Dear Eric, glad you like my roller coaster post :) Thanks for sharing your Pasadena fountain! Have a nice week ahead!

James said...

Beautiful fountain beautifully captured. I also really like your Balboa ferry post.

maryt/theteach said...

Erin, the photos are extraordinary! I love the details of the beautiful fountain! :)

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful fountain. Pasadena is one of the cities in CA that I really wanted to visit. The name conjures magic for me :)

Canarybird said...

Lovely photos and an interesting fountain. They are always a welcome sound in warm weather.

SandyCarlson said...

Yes, I enjoyed the visit. I also enjoyed the lesson. How beautiful!

Eve said...

What a beautiful fountain!

Marja said...

That looks fantastic That's my kind of a city

Jane Hards Photography said...

Fountains are something we lack here. Very refreshing image and spoilt for choice with the angles.

Jenn Jilks said...

Lovely things, fountains.

Willa said...

what a wonderful shot1 i love the water on close up,so alive!!

Elisabeth's bright side said...

A piece of art, both the pictures and the fountain! Have a nice week!

BPOTW said...

Such interesting shots! Very nice.

Leslie: said...

Absolutely awesome shots! My favourite is the 2nd to last one! Well done...

:D

Lantaw said...

beautiful fountain! thanks for sharing

Barb said...

Beautiful patina on the pictures, Erin. I love the splashing water!

Paul said...

great pics of the fountain!

alicesg said...

Very beautiful fountain. The sculptures are so well crafted.

Wolynski said...

Are you sure this is Pasadena and not Italy? Absolutely gorgeous.

Baruch said...

Love how you share the fountain from all angles

LadyFi said...

What a wonderful fountain. Love your photos... Very Spanish feel to it all. I love it!

Arija said...

The fountain and City Hall seem to have aged gracefully together. Beautiful photos.

Swarna said...

Wonderful close-up shots.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the background info along with the photos of the fountain. The Spanish-style architecture is one of the aspects of Southern California that I like best.

Snap said...

I love fountains and the sound the water makes. Wonderful shots!

Rune Eide said...

Fountains can be very beautiful, and this one certainly is. I especially like the close-up of the water-droplets.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Erin and I love the close-up of the water. Love the Spanish Colonial style, it's one of my faves.

mannanan said...

Fantastic interesting post again. Only what I've come to expect on this great site....Thanks for sharing.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great post. I love the fountain and courtyard.

George said...

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Pasadena City Hall. The fountain is beautiful.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Wow - love these photos! They could be postcards or a calendar! Just superb!

Manuela

Monica said...

What beautiful images you have, the angles, the lighting ... everything is wonderful. Thanks for sharing with us and also thank you for stopping by my blog to comment, it was appreciated.

Sameer said...

Great Shots.
Liked #2 it has nice background and light composition,
Thanks for sharing :)

Louise said...

What an exquisite fountain... so beautiful. And your photos go it more than justice. Art indeed.

Gattina said...

What a nice fountain ! In the past it was apparently very fashionable to let spit animals or humans, lol !

Latane Barton said...

Love the fountain. Great photography.

Kathie Brown said...

Very nicely done by drawing us ever closer, then pulling back for a full view.

Annie said...

Thank you for your wonderful photos once again...you are just amazing. And thank you also for your visit to my post.

indicaspecies said...

That's a lovely collection of pictures. Thank you for sharing.

DeniseinVA said...

Absolutely stunning photos!