Snow in Pasadena – City Hall (1949) (Photo – Pasadena Museum of History)
On June 13th, 1884, it snowed in Pasadena.
By Jeannette Bovard
Yes, you read that correctly!
Although glistening white toppings on our local mountains occasionally provide a scenic wintery backdrop to the cityscape, rarely does snowfall reach, and stay, on the ground in Pasadena and neighboring communities.
The June snowfall in 1884 was certainly unusual, but also similar to the other instances of snow in this area – a short, light, flurry and then just a memory.
One major exception was in January 1949, when three consecutive nights of snowfall left up to a foot of snow in many areas of Southern California, including Pasadena. Children, journalists, and photographers were ecstatic. On the other hand, motorists found themselves caught in massive traffic snarls; the local economy took a blow. Citrus crops were damaged severely and film production on outdoor sets in Hollywood had to be suspended. On the bright side, Brookside Golf Course stayed open so that golfers could enjoy the unique experience of playing snow-golf, and Altadena’s “Christmas Tree Lane” (Santa Rosa Avenue) was truly a winter wonderland.
To read more about snowy Pasadena, visit the blog, “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow” on Pasadena Museum of History’s website.
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