Before the Roses: How Tuberculosis Shaped Pasadena

Pasadena Preventorium students in a 1927 parade along Colorado Street (Photo – Huntington Library collection, courtesy of @pdhc2019)

Before Pasadena became known for roses, grand homes and sunny streets, it was celebrated as a place where people came to heal.

By News Desk

In the late 1800s, Pasadena’s warm, dry climate and clean mountain air attracted newcomers from the Midwest and East Coast, many of whom sought relief from tuberculosis, pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. For those suffering from or recovering from these diseases, the region’s year-round sunshine offered a welcome change from the cold, damp conditions of home.

That health-seeking spirit was woven into Pasadena’s early history. Since the founding of the Indiana Colony in 1873–74, the city’s Mediterranean climate has continued to draw people from across the country. In its early years, Pasadena served not only as a refuge for people with tuberculosis but also as home to institutions devoted to patient care and public education about preventive health.

One of those institutions was the Pasadena Preventorium, which opened in 1921 and later became known as the Pasadena Health School. The preventive-care facility served boys ages 6 to 12 who had been exposed to infectious diseases, including tuberculosis. Its mission was to provide children with fresh air, healthy routines and a supportive environment designed to strengthen their health and help prevent serious illness.

A 1927 photograph captures Preventorium students riding through Pasadena in a parade of decorated cars along Colorado Street. Each vehicle carried the message “Pasadena Preventorium 100% for Health.” The image offers a glimpse into a time when public health was promoted not only through medical care but also through community events, education and a shared commitment to healthy living.

Today, Pasadena’s health legacy remains part of the city’s story. Residents can stop by their neighborhood library branch or visit the library’s website to learn more about free health screenings and flu shots available at local libraries.

Sources: Pasadena Public Library, Altadena Heritage, and Huntington Library.