La Loma Road

Across the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena stretches La Loma Road, carried by its namesake bridge. La Loma Bridge isn’t just a way to get across; it’s a story etched in concrete and steel. Built in 1914, La Loma Bridge replaced a rickety wooden predecessor, the California Street Bridge. This new bridge, a sturdy concrete arch structure, was a symbol of Pasadena’s westward expansion and the burgeoning age of the automobile. Imagine the early motorists chugging across, marveling at the bridge’s neoclassical design, a nod to the City Beautiful movement. La Loma Bridge echoed the grandeur of its “big sister,” the Colorado Street Bridge, built just a year earlier. Together, these two bridges were the sole lifelines across the Arroyo Seco, shaping the growth of areas like San Rafael Heights. La Loma Bridge facilitated Pasadena’s annexation of this area, forever linking the city’s destiny with the bridge’s. This architectural marvel isn’t just visually stunning; it holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places, a testament to its enduring significance. In 2017, the bridge underwent a major renovation. It emerged stronger and more resilient, rededicated to Pasadena native John van de Kamp, a former California Attorney General. La Loma Bridge stands as a silent witness to Pasadena’s growth. It whispers tales of early motorists, city planners, and the dreams of a community connected by a concrete ribbon across the Arroyo Seco. As you cross La Loma Bridge, remember the history it holds, a testament to ambition and progress.