11 Most Endangered Historic Places
South Pasadena/El Sereno
Year Listed: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Location: South Pasadena, California
Significance
A family standing in front of their bungalow, in a Pasadena neighborhood.
Credit: National Trust for Historic Preservation
The California cities of South Pasadena, Pasadena, and El Sereno (a predominantly Hispanic community) are distinguished by their handsome Victorian, Craftsman bungalow, and Mediterranean Revival-style houses. These well-preserved communities are threatened by a proposed six-mile, $1.4 billion freeway extension, which would cut through four nationally-recognized historic districts and destroy almost 1,000 homes and 6,000 mature trees. As a result of the planned freeway, thousands of long-term residents will be forced to abandon their homes, neighbors and distinctive heritage.
