All About Pasadena and Its Vicinity: Its Climate, Missions, Trails and Canons, Fruits, Flowers and Game [California]

Author: Holder, Charles Frederick (1851–1915)

Publisher: Lee and Shepard

Edition: First Edition, First Printing

Condition: Very Good
Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket As Issued

Original pictorial blue cloth decorated and lettered in gilt. [viii], 141 pages with an index. 16 Illustrations from woodcuts plus a frontispiece and some in-text drawings. The bindings are tight and square. Text clean, light even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear. Light wear to cloth, First Edition.. This uncommon history and guide for visitors provides a Snapshot of 19th-Century Pasadena, during a pivotal period of its development. A time when it was transitioning from a small agricultural community into a thriving resort town and winter haven for wealthy Easterners. It serves as a historical record of the city’s early growth, real estate boom, and social life. Like many publications of the era, All About Pasadena promoted California as a paradise for health seekers and tourists. Holder highlighted the region’s mild climate, scenic beauty, and opportunities for outdoor activities, making it a valuable resource for prospective settlers. Holder was a well-known naturalist, and his descriptions of the San Gabriel Mountains, local wildlife, and botanical wonders reflect his deep appreciation for nature. His work aligns with the broader conservation Arroyo Culture movement emerging in California at the time, which later influenced figures like John Muir. The book helped shape Pasadena’s reputation as a cultural and recreational hub, emphasizing its Spanish missions, picturesque trails, and bountiful agriculture. His mention of citrus groves and flower fields reinforced the romanticized image of Southern California. As both a travel guide and a historical document, the book remains an important resource for historians, researchers, and those interested in California’s urban and environmental history. It provides firsthand insight into the early years of one of California’s most famous cities. Holder was an avid outdoorsman he organized the sophisticated Valley Hunt Club in 188O. Ref: ROCQ 4622; Cowan, p.289; Walker, 115