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On May 8, 1903, after a short address at Pomona College that morning, President Theodore Roosevelt traveled to South Pasadena for lunch at The Raymond.
Roosevelt accepted an invitation to tour California only after confirming a visit to see the former first lady Lucretia Garfield (widow of slain President James Garfield).
Note: Lucretia “Crete” Garfield commissioned Charles and Henry Green to design a chalet style craftsman bungalow which still stands at 1001 Buena Vista Street. Garfield spent her winters in South Pasadena until her death at home 100 years ago this year.
President Roosevelt finished the day with a rousing speech at Wilson High School in Pasadena. Roses were laid at his feet as he approached the elevated platform where he shared the stage with a stuffed grizzly bear.
President Roosevelt remarked, “I have been traveling through what is literally a garden of the Lord with His majestic mountains in sight.”
Over a century later, little has changed in that regard.
Throwback Thursday is written and produced by Rick Thomas
