Guest Essay: Joe Colletti: Early Settlers Adopted the Name Pasadena 150 Years Ago This Week

On April 22, 1875, early settlers adopted the name Pasadena by a majority vote. An historical account in A Southern California Paradise published in 1883 states that a number of names were suggested and three were put to a vote: Granada, Indianola, and Pasadena.

The historical account states that “Those in favor of Granada argued, that our productions and climatic conditions were similar to those of the region of that Granada which the genius of Irving had immortalized, and therefore would be appropriate .”

Irving is a reference to the author Washington Irving who is best known for short stories  like “The legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle. Irving also wrote a romantic account about the beauty of Granada, Spain, which some felt was true of the area soon to be named Pasadena.

Indianola was also put to a vote. Up until now the area was called the Indiana Colony because a number of the first settlers were from Indiana. The historical account states that “Those in favor of Indianola argued, that the change from ” Indiana Colony” to Indianola would be most easily effected, and that the name would retain a hint of the origin of the settlement.”

Pasadena was the third proposed name. The historical account records that Dr. Thomas B. Elliott “presented the name Pasadena, and stated that it was an Indian name, the   meaning of which  was ‘ Crown of  the Valley,’ and argued its appropriateness” and that “A motion  to  adopt  the name Pasadena prevailed by a vote of more than four to one of those present” and “to Dr. Elliott the community is indebted for the name Pasadena.”

Before the Civil War, Dr. Elliot was an ardent Abolitionist and served as a physician at a station of the Underground Railway and is buried locally at the Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum. His spouse Helen was known as the Mother of Pasadena and is also buried locally with him.

During the past 150 years, many have honored and furthered the meaning and many continue to honor and further the meaning of the adopted name Pasadena. The many include those who have served and serve Pasadena as members of local coalitions, commissions, committees, conferences, and councils. The many also include past and present academic institutions, banks, cafes, congregations, drug stores, galleries, hotels, markets, motels, restaurants, supermarkets, and other business establishments.

Honor is continuously due to the many who have crowned Pasadena with art, diversity, culture, education, equality, faith, health, inclusion, law, legislation, literature, science, etc. that have benefited the numerous people who live, recreate, socialize, visit, walk, work, and/or worship in Pasadena.

Dr. Joe Colletti is the Chief Executive Officer for Hub for Urban Initiatives, Homeless and Housing Strategies for California.