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Walter Raymond’s prominent hotel on South Pasadena’s Bacon Hill faced away from the mountains for a reason. And that reason may surprise you.
Nearly all the guest room windows faced the rolling hills and the small City of South Pasadena.
The outbuildings, laundry, maids quarters, groundskeeper housing, and guest dining room were all located at the rear of the hotel facing the stunning San Gabriel Mountains (then Sierra Madres).
So, why deny wealthy guests such a breathtaking view of the San Gabriel Mountains from their hotel room windows? The answer: It’s the nature of the travel business. Mountains offer a picturesque view. So much so, their value is more significant in photographs for promotional purposes. Brochures, newspaper and magazine advertisements, paintings, and family photos all show the mountains rising behind the hotel.
Walter Raymond was a shrewd businessman. He recognized the power of an image. A picture is worth a thousand words and can tell many beautiful stories. Nearby Hollywood has captured generations of moviegoers by telling stories with motion pictures.
A single picture, with a mountain range in the background, is an invitation for world travelers to visit our sleepy valley and enjoy the modest views of South Pasadena as well.
The Raymond was photographed so often with South Pasadena in the foreground (along with movie studio filming today) our city is one of the most filmed and photographed in America.
Throwback Thursday is written and produced by Rick Thomas
