[Chuckaluck]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Below is the original Raymond Hotel that burnt down in 1896.


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Below: A black and white version of the original Raymond Hotel in South Pasadena.


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Pasadena's Hotels no stranger to fire

PASADENA - Fire destroyed some of Pasadena's great tourist hotels - the Raymond, the Maryland, the Echo Mountain House and, just 100 years ago, the Hotel Pasadena, previously known as La Pintoresca. The Raymond and the Maryland were rebuilt.

The photograph is of the earlier La Pintoresca. At an elevation of around 1,000 feet and in an era when trees were lacking, there must have been a splendid view from the veranda.

The Pasadena Star reported on January 15, 1912: "With the exception of the north wing at the west end of the building, containing the kitchen, dining room and servants' quarters, Hotel Pasadena, formerly known as La Pintoresca, located at the corner of Washington Street and Fair Oaks Avenue, was completely destroyed by fire that started at 10:45 o'clock last night. The guests escaped without injury."

Defective wiring was suspected as the cause of the fire but it started above the room of guest E. Tallman who had just left to catch a train and might have discarded a match when lighting a cigar.

The fire department arrived soon and fought the fire for several hours.

Bellboys ran through the halls alerting guests who grabbed jewelry and other possessions as they left. The jewelry of a few guests was lost in the fire.

In an editorial, the Star wrote: "Destruction of property by fire is always particularly regrettable. But the burning of Hotel Pasadena, better known as La Pintoresca, is especially to be deplored, because of the aroma of early-day romance that clung to this landmark. Before it was La Pintoresca, it was known as the Painter Hotel, from the Messrs Painter who built it in 1888 and owned and conducted it until a few years ago. In the early youth of the city many a delightful banquet and social function was held within its walls. Perhaps no structure in Pasadena had more romantic memories and associations attached to it.

"That there was no loss of life is cause for thankfulness."

The hotel contained antique furniture brought to the hotel by "Hetty" Green, said to be the richest woman in the world, who was an investor in the hotel. One valuable chair that was saved had been made for Francis Scott Key of Star Spangled Banner fame.

Sid Gally is a Pasadena Museum of History volunteer http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/gene...-a-century-ago

1887 - The Painter Hotel, located on Washington Boulevard between Fair Oaks and Raymond Avenues. Later became known as La Pintoresca Hotel. http://books.google.com/books?id=z08...0hotel&f=false
http://cdm15123.contentdm.oclc.org/c.../id/3773/rec/4

Same image, maybe easier to view.
http://waterandpower.org/Historical_...esca_Hotel.jpg