Picture this a sprawling estate nestled in picturesque Pasadena. This isn’t just any estate. This is the legendary Busch Gardens.
In 1903 Adolphus Busch a prominent brewer created this 30-acre paradise. He filled it with over 100000 plants miles of walkways and numerous ponds and fountains. In 1906 he generously opened Busch Gardens to the public free of charge.
Imagine whimsical figurines from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales enchanting visitors. Lush sunken gardens provided breathtaking views. A meticulously recreated Banbury Cross Old Mill became a beloved landmark. Millions flocked to Busch Gardens in its heyday.
Even after Adolphus Busch’s death in 1913 the gardens thrived under his wife Lilly’s care. A team of over 50 gardeners maintained the park’s splendor. Springtime brought lavish parties and delightful Easter egg hunts for children a tradition started years earlier.
Prohibition hit hard. Annual operating costs soared to $50000 a sum difficult to manage with reduced beer revenue. Parts of the property were sold. Lilly cleverly kept some of Busch Gardens alive by letting the Pasadena Hospital Association use the grounds.
The American Legion took over running the gardens charging a small admission fee. Hollywood discovered the stunning scenery. Many films including Gone With the Wind were filmed here using the gardens as a backdrop.
Lilly Busch passed away in 1928. Busch Gardens faced an uncertain future. The Unemployment Relief Group briefly managed it before the American Legion regained control. Finally in 1937 Busch Gardens Pasadena closed its gates. The land was divided and sold to developers.
Yet the legacy lives on. Remnants of the original gardens remain tucked away along certain streets. You can still see parts of original stone walls. A former pergola is now a home. Most remarkably the iconic Old Mill still stands almost exactly as it did a century ago. Busch Gardens may be gone but its magic lingers.