Beaudry Lake . Johnson Lake Mirror Lake . Johnston Retreat
by Pasadena Adjacent
A rose by any other name? doesn’t matter. Johnson/Johnston Lake is part of a gated community close(d) to you and me. That is unless you represent a Hollywood film production company. In that case, for a location fee you can change the lake’s name for the day, set up some chairs in front of it and “get real” with celebrities in recovery. I wish them well.
What’s that written at the bottom of the photo? “NEAR” Pasadena. That would put Mirror Lake’s location “IN” Garvanza. With that said, lets continue on with our Garvanza/Stairway tour of the Highlands.
From Beaudry/Mirror/Garvanza/Johnson/Johnston lake we make our way downstream to where San Rafael creek spills into the Arroyo. Further down the Arroyo is the smallSan Pascual auto bridge. Cross it and head west.
Off the avenue is a small dead end street named Hough. The starting point of another hidden stair way.This one is especially sweet with each riser decorated in tiles created by the children of nearby San Pascual elementary school. The hand painted tiles depict wildflowers and creatures representative of the Arroyo. Brilliant!
Having recovered after ascending the multiple flights of tiled deliciousness
You shall find yourself back atop the bluff of the Garvanza Highlands. An oak lined right of way leads to Ave 66. A street teeming with many gracious homes (in varying states of repair) that once represented Garvanza’s elite citizenry.Landmark #107, the McClure home.
select to enlarge
UPDATE: I think I’ve cracked the name game of the lake. First, it’s not a natural lake but a wetland area that was damned up for a lake. It’s true name should be Cambell-Johnston Lake with a “T” The problem being that Hiram T Reid who wrote the seminal 1895 book “History of Pasadena” dropped the T thus rewriting history. It’s been a source of confusion since
source: Within the Vale of Annandale Donald W. Crocker
The first post in my series exploring the treasures of Garvanza is here in “You Say Garbanzo I Say Garvanza”
http://pasadenaadjacent.com/2010/02/18/you-say-garbonzo-i-say-garvanza/
The second post in my series exploring hidden streams and mid century modernism in the Garvanza’s is here in “Post and Beam Meets Field and Stream”
http://pasadenaadjacent.com/2010/02/26/post-and-beam-meets-field-and-stream/
Great posting on the hidden lake. Such confusion on the name. It has bedeviled me for years. I have many vintage photos of this area, with the sheep grazing looking just like England, what a wonderful spot, and also of the old family estate. Possibly a photo of the interior of one of the cabins on the ranch. I need to do a whole historical piece on this area, as the photos were from the Johnstone family I believe. When were the homes relocated from Chinatown?
So great! I’ll have to return for a detailed look and video view from home.
Another fun ride. Apparently Pasadena, but more especially Altadena, turned out some very fine wines. I proudly grow a merlot vine and have been tossing around some label concepts.
Per your link, if the lady’s toilet isn’t tasteful, the lad should leave immediately.
The picture with the Easy St. and Not a Through St. signs would make a great Zen Monday.
As soon as I read about that stairway, I had to take a look, thanks for the tip-off.. The children’s artwork on the tiles is beautiful, and they really make it a pleasure to go up the steps. Be nice if the area was cleaned up, though.
I’ve also managed to get a glimpse through the fence of the barn in your photo of Johnson Lake – it’s now a sizeable house. Wouldn’t mind living there myself, watching the ducks and coots on the water.
Prudent Beaudry dug a tunnel from the lake through to what is now Avenue 64 so his carts of wine could get to LA. The route was along Burleigh, but there’s only a cutting there now. I once saw a photo of this tunnel in the Pasadena Star-News. Wonder if Thal has a copy of it?
Karin, how many grapes does it take to make a bottle of finest Altadena Hiker merlot? I’d love to buy a bottle but I expect it’s priceless.
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Thal A: Welcome! so few bloggers whom I often leave comments, with never visit >(my blog) or (leave a comment)<…so I'm appreciative that you have.
The Beaudry house in it's China Town location was set for demolition. Someone found out it's history, knocked the stucco off the box and brought it here to the Highlands over the summer.
http://historichighlandpark.blogspot.com/2009/06/donnelley-house-is-moving-to-garvanza.html
A man named "Lewis" is credited in the USC archives for area photos. That's the name of a nearby street. I'm curious to find out if there's a connection there.
When my father was attending Cal Tech, his geology class would come over to Ave 64 to study earthquake faults. Supposedly there is visual evidence where the hillside has been blasted through. Meridian Ave is a fault as well as one of the main water collection points. An area of interest to me.
the photo enlarges…sheep on the right
AH: "Apparently Pasadena, but more especially Altadena" no no no…more importantly Garvanza!! I'm feeling Palestinian today in defending my territory.
The scoop: The widow Cambell/Johnston when she went about creating the nearby Church of Angels, was approached by many who said "build it in Pasadena" but she nixed the idea. She specifically wanted the church to be located in Garvanza. It was later annexed by Pasadena. Garvanzans say “stolen” as this was against their wishes.
I planted two vines on my Garvanza hillside (they died) but I designed an excellent wine label to go with the bounty I never produced.
Tash: maybe I can embarrass you by sticking your teenage love's home into my next stair way adventure.
Susan: Zen Monday is more about the poetic gesture and yoga mats. We in the Highlands favor irony and big butts.
Bellis: You mentioned that structure on my earlier post about the area and I found that photo. What surprised and delighted me was the text (near Pasadena and MIRROR LAKE) that was news…..Beaudry tunnel? maybe you can get Larry Wilson to do a story on the tunnel
I'm so impressed you followed up on my stair case adventure. Don't you love the way the tiles are grouped into colors? And did you notice the way I chased that man up the stairs in my wee video? when he saw me coming up with a camera, he u-turned.
re: cleaned up? I think they do a pretty good job covering the tags. Did you walk the oak path and discover the arroyo mural?
http://pasadenaadjacent.com/2008/08/29/remember-when-los-angeles-was-the-mural-capital-of-the-world-2/
although I do hope they go back with solvents to get the tag cover off the tiles. If you should go back you might want to walk along those little streets behind the school. Very charming homes with a sweet dab of funk included.
I believe those are cattle up there. From my understanding, the sheep ranching came first as the later cattle ranchers wanted fences and the sheep farmers didn’t, leading to conflicts in the Old West, and Garvanza. When I get my old Johnston family photos scanned, I’ll email them to you. They appear to be very early. A lot of the history is in the book “The Veil of Annandale” which you probably know. LA Creek Freak has also done a lot on San Rafael Creek and Johnston’s Lake. I suggested to the Pasadena Open Space Committe that they include boating as one of the categories of recreation in Pasadena, since we have boating on Johnston Lake and a few hardy souls try to kayak the Arroyo Seco stream during the rainy season. We really do have boating within the present day boundaries of Pasadena! Isn’t there at least one dinghy tied up to a pier at Johnston’s Lake, as I recall? Of course, that might have been a while ago.
I was wrong about the book title, here it is on Amazon.com.
This book has all the history and Pascal Jim seems to know all about the Annandale Country Club which was originally here on this lake, as well. And yes, I see from the aerial photos that there are two boat landings and a couple of rowboats even now.
http://www.amazon.com/Within-vale-Annandale-Pasadena
-vicinity/dp/B00072Z772/ref
=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268440736&sr=8-1
Much research must have gone into this, but that is your usual thing…
What a wonderful home way up there! And those gorgeous tiles give one a chance to pause on the way up and have something to look at. I enjoyed the story of the hostessing that went on in that home.
Every time I go out on a drive around here I see a house that I’ve never seen before that someone has restored. There are many of them left, if you really look. I’m fascinated by one across from Hi-Ho market that resembles this McClure home but without the land and the view. I pointed out to Jim that it has no driveway or garage. Then we realized that cars disn’t exist yet!!
Great history here, and I thought I would add what Pascal Jim had written on Pasadena Daily Photo. Hope he and Petrea don’t mind:
Pascal Jim said…
Petrea,… Annandale Golf Club demolished the Craftsman style Clubhouse in the 1960′s that over-looked Johnson Lake and purchased the “new” site near the San Rafael Off-ramp on the 134.
During the Johnson Lake operation which began in the late 1890′s the Club enjoyed a single track Pacific Electric trolley line that ran up Avenue 64, past Church of the Angels, track ended just north of La Loma Rd. This line was an off-shoot of the Pasadena Line from Los Angeles.
January 3, 2009 10:29 AM
Great tour, great comments. PA, I love the little blue dots and I can just hear your footsteps with them (pad pad pad). You are an intrepid traveler and visit the most wonderful places.
For a view of Beaudry’s tunnel, see p. 69 of Elizabeth Pomeroy’s book: Pasadena, A Natural History
(Hot Link Above)
Ok PA, your label, my wine.
(Good find, Bellis.)
Those tiles!
And you got a pic of my favorite street name up there. Doesn’t it bisect Fortune Way, or am I misremembering? I love the idea of the corner of Easy Street and Fortune Way.
This is another amazing adventure, PA. Thanks for all of your legwork and research.
(How’s Tovah?)
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Thal: You’d have thought I’d seen Creek Freak’s entry on the San Rafael creek being that we both labeled the cows as sheep, but in reality, I hadn’t. As a kid I used to slime slide on that spill way into the arroyo (as well as under Suicide Bridge) until I got stung by something that landed me at the Huntington.
“Within the Vale of Annandale” Thanks for the lead…I bought the book. Maybe the name game will be solved…and yes about the boats. I’ve only seen someone use one once in the many years I’ve been acquainted with this lake. My partner got in once by posing as someone from the department of Water and Power. I think ultimately it’s annexation will be connected to water rights. Some early politics between Judson and Morgan. We’ll see when I get the book
Is that club house the San Rafael building in the photograph?
Shanna: In this case, my history slueths are doing the heavy lifting and I’m following their leads. Check out Bellis’s link. She found the cave!
btw: check out this link
Charles Holder 1906 descriptions of the Arroyo
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/calbk:@field(DOCID+@lit(calbk031div6)):
The house you speak of across from the Hi Ho…is it on 64 or the cross street Meridian?
Petrea: I’m loosing my intrepidasity. I’ve been busted three times in a month (more if you count the year).
Bellis: Thank You! Pasadena Adjacent would like to fire it’s research and Development Team and hire you for future posts. Presently, I’m looking for an image of the Mission Oak…
AH: Only if your growing Merlot Grapes. The only grape that fits my copy
Laurie: Easy Street gives way to Fortune Way which looses some luck when it becomes Aratina st. This is where the heavy rains a few years back resulted in the red tagged homes sliding down the Highlands into the arroyo (the still visible swimming pool above San Pascual Stables).
Along with the tiles, there is also a mural at the top of the incline (check it out)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4432530860_4b880f1dbe_o.jpg
Tova? the symptoms of hyper thyroidism, although not gone, have lessened a little bit. It might take up to six months. She’s radioactive until the 19th. Hope I can buy her (and by her, I mean me) a few more years.
Here’s to a complete recovery and many more healthy years for that sweet cat.
I had to come back here and go up those stairs again with you. I can’t believe all these little tucked away treasures. Those tiles are just beautiful. And so many!
The house I mentioned is on Meridian, several houses in before you reach Ane. 64.
My best to Tova!
PA Ditto most of de above commentators.
I wundering who this Beaudry character was. Just asking.
I’m with Tash. Love this little travelogue.
One of the houses by the lake has just come up for sale – perhaps we can all take a look when they have an Open Day?
I finally saw the wee-deo…I think the tiles are super – and I really like that they are placed on the stairs instead of hidden on school grounds. I cannot get over how long the stairway is! Phew! Will have to attempt to walk it with you sometime.
BTW, you can’t embarrass me, maybe, most of the time…
PS – if you are ever up for it, Ian can take you up for a flight (with his instructor). Just have to let him know in advance.
wonderful !
Busted! For exploring hidden stairways and neighborhoods? Or for posing as a DWP official? Either way, your goal was art, right?
Let us know when, Bellis!
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Laurie: Thanks, Tova and I agree…we like being together. A toast; more years for all our beloved creatures!
They are fabulous. This is the prettiest of my stairway tour. You should take “little bit” sometime. After a few up and downs, she’ll sleep well (and so will you).
Shanna: now I know what houses your speaking of . The last two bordering on Meridian and Ave 63. I think they were “flips” but well done. A craftsman and a Victorian.
Cafe Observer: Follow this tour guide to my first comment. Follow the sausage links that lead to more sausage links. You will “wunder” no more about who this Beaudry character is. Hint: he drinks
Margaret: thanks..happy to be of service
Bellis: ooooh Looky Loo alert. Yes, when?
Tash: The lowland neighborhood off San Pascual (the start of the stairway) is a really sweet neighborhood of tidy little homes. I’m sure we can make it up to the top. No rules against stopping to catch your breath.
The stairway near your teen boy’s home is equally long
About flying with Ian Y-E-S. I’d looooooove to. Wow wee
Deepak: Thanks, a favorite neighborhood stroll
Petrea: Busted, but not in my neighborhood. Three times in Arcadia and once in Azuza. Art, always….and my accountant believes me.
I’m back after my unscheduled exile from the blogosphere, computer in better working order.
I hope all is well with Tovah. We’ve been through this – but not, I’m sorry to say, with a successful outcome. My vet thinks it may be malpractice but it’s too late to do anything about it. We love Miss Digit and are pampering her in every way.
I love this continuation of the lake theme. From the desert to the urban waterways, a very nice segue Miss PA. Would love to take the walking tour.
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Paula: you said long vowel “puter” and I though short vowel “putter” as in: Paula is puttering instead of walking due to a foot injury suffered while “home on the range” during her youth and needed medical attention requiring surgery.
glad your puter/putter is on the mend
Mission oak? I have photos of the Pico Oak and the Cathedral oak, but where was the Mission Oak? I, too, ordered “Within the Vale of Annandale,” and it arrived today – it has many photos I’ve never seen before. Can’t wait to read it all this evening.
Bellis: I found it. Ave 63/Garvanza. Part of the trail between missions. They built the intersection around the huge oak, then when it died they covered it in asphalt. It’s very close to one of the underground springs. Might show up in a future post.
Check out pages 48 and 49. That hill behind the lake (I refer to it as cardio hill).
I’m on the right pages but I can’t get the geography sorted in my head – please can you help me out? Is cardiac hill the one Church Street goes up, is it Poppy Peak (surely not? ) or is it one to the east of the lake? The panorama confuses me as the Raymond seems to be in the wrong place.
Bellis: I wish they would put some kind of compas orientation. Cardiac Hill is Romney ave that passes over to Church st. I’m guessing the photo was taken from atop Poppy Peak (then of course where is the hill that the tunnel goes through and ave 64). yikes