PHOTO: Rick Thomas | SouthPasadenan.com News | U.S. Court of Appeals (formerly Vista del Arroyo hotel) seen in the framed arch of the Colorado Street Bridge (2007)
Rick Thomas | U.S. Court of Appeals (formerly Vista del Arroyo hotel) seen in the framed arch of the Colorado Street Bridge (2007)
A massive concrete bridge and a luxury resort hotel. They make a perfect pair.
The Vista del Arroyo hotel (today U.S. Court of Appeals) and the Colorado Street Bridge have a symbiotic relationship that dates back to the early 1900s. At the time, nearly every postcard view of the bridge shows the hotel behind it. Likewise, most of the photos taken by the guests of the hotel also capture the bridge in the background.
The two are inseparable. The historic bridge and former grand hotel are cultural icons of the Arroyo Seco. And they are in plain sight of each other for all time.
PHOTO California Historical Society | SouthPasadenancom News | Fashion show at the pool area of the Vista del Arroyo hotel 1938PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Postcard 1953 Pioneer Bridge shortly after construction left and the Colorado Street Bridge and Vista del Arroyo rightPHOTO Rick Thomas photography | SouthPasadenancom News | Colorado Street Bridge and former Vista del Arroyo hotel during construction of luxury townhomes 2007PHOTO Pasadena Heritage | SouthPasadenancom News | Poster 2007 Colorado Street Bridge PartyPHOTO Rick Thomas photography | SouthPasadenancom News | Colorado Street Bridge arch with the US Court of Appeals building formerly Vista del Arroyo hotel in the background 2007
Note: The Vista del Arroyo hotel changed ownership during WW II when the War Department took control of the hotel for use as an army hospital (1943 to 1949). Today, the building serves as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
PHOTO Rick Thomas | SouthPasadenancom News | View of the US Court of Appeals formerly Vista del Arroyo hotel from the Colorado Street Bridge 2007
Throwback Thursday is written and produced by Rick Thomas
