Mr V and I met Roberta Martinez while working on a project at the North/West Armory on Fair Oaks (it’s a vacant lot now). Back then Roberta was involved in the research aspect of her forthcoming book “Latinos in Pasadena”. Well it’s here now and Mr V was able to add his voice to her research. You see, Mr V’s family came out west to Pasadena post WWII. The housing stock was minimal. They would spend the next several years living in a 250 square foot trailer (community toilets) where Target (previously Fedco) is now. He hated it. North of the trailer court and wiped out by the construction of the 210 freeway was Pasadena’s barrio district called Titleyville with a market, church and ceramics factory. Now represented by a dead end street called Titley Ave.
Roberta also discusses the Bandini family of fertilizer fame. She showed me the Pasadena home the Bandini’s commissioned Green and Green to build for them. Transitional Green and Green interior except for the prominent painting of the Virgin of Gaudalupe. All in the book and more.
Roberta will be giving a lecture and signing her book at the Pasadena Museum of History on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00/non members and members get in free. The Pasadena Museum of History is located at 470 W. Walnut Street, Pasadena. For tickets and more information call (626) 577-1660 ext. 10 or log onto pasadenahistory.org.
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Rich post. V’s stories fascinate me, and Titleyville? Really. I’m going to drive over that way today to take a look. My ugly couch I bought from that Fedco the last day it was in business.
You sold me on the book.
And lastly, the sexy voice on the tv commercials, “Bandini is the name for …. fertilizer.” Family must have a sense of humor.
“Skiing Bandini Mountain” ad campaign
According to the Urban Dictionary:
1. Bandini Mountain
A large pile of manure. Originally referred to a 100-foot tall mound at the Headquarters of the Bandini Fertilizer Company in Commerce, California.
“We’re going skiing on Bandini mountain!”
Nearby on Bandini road is Farmer Johns processing plant.
How great is that! Not the hard childhood but that MrV’s story got in the book. I love that series. We have one on Torrance Airport (I know, that’s surprising) that is signed by the author, Charles Lobb.
the old Fedco’s building is a Target? I know the old Robinson’s on Colorado by Lake (where I worked in the men’s dept. for a month – I was not cool enough for the teen clothing section), is one. Maybe there should be a book about Target takeover, a red bulls eye as packman – but that would be too depressing (although of the chains, Target is my favorite.)
The real stories of America.
I took Albert over to that area to sniff around. Of course you’re right, there is nothing. But it was interesting to imagine what was. To the south, there is still the odd old, old house, squished between those cheap stucco apartments.
Last post was fasinating and I’ve been too busy/out of town to comment, coincidentally we went to a fantastic Japanese garden in Rockford IL, of all places. Out of this world beautiful. In 2004 it was designated the best in North America. Peek in if you get a chance and check out the Jeffery Anderson winter pics in the photo gallery. http://www.andersongardens.org/
I like the sepia tinting of the cover. They must have a series of these because it looks like other regional history books I’ve seen. It’s really cool that you have a connection to the work.
Our trash day is Thursday, I might go out cruising Wednesday night.
Trash Tuesday Will Return Next Tuesday (maybe)
Mr V and I attended the lecture. Several members from Titleyville attended. Much like a high school reunion, Mr V spent time catching up. I discovered his childhood friends included the Mijares and Majia’s (Rancheros) of Pasadena restaurant fame. The Bandini home was torn down to make room for a parking lot. Walnut street is named after Walnut groves: walnuts harvested by Mexican families. Linda Vista was called Indian Flats. Lots more
AH: Mr V has an amazing ability to recall the name of every person, place and thing he knew before the age of puberty. He, of the trailer camp contingent and the Titleys all attended Wilson Junior High and played together at the nearby Boys and Girls club. Vic’s closest Titley friend was stabbed to death when they were in high school. His older sister was at the lecture last night. Those two spent the night chatting it up.
Tash: I don’t know if Mr V’s in the book by name. A contributing voice maybe. You were at Robinson’s while I was at Ivers. In fact, I was working as a Santa’s Elf at the Eagle Rock mall the day John Lennon was shot. About those pesky Targets, no kidding. They line the 210. The old Montgomery Wards at the Eagle Rock Mall is now a Target.
Dina: This book represents a kind of upstairs downstairs for a city that actually had a street referred to as millionaire road.
D: Yeah! your back. I figured you have had a lot to deal with as of late. I miss your comments and thanks for the link. A Japanese garden under snow really recalls all those wood block prints from the 19th century.
PJ: They do have a series. They’re put out by Arcadia Publishing. I was under the impression (since we have an adjacent city called Arcadia) that these books were about Southern California. Guess not. I love this idea because it places value on the past and thus pressure to preserve it.
The next history book s/b a colloboration by you 3!
real stories is just so much harder to believe than fiction
great post