Welcome to the Mystery Photo Blog. AHS has over 1000 photographs that give us the big picture of our community's history. But sometimes we're stymied by the little details in the picture. We're appealing to our readers to help us out. On this blog, we post photographs that are missing important parts of their stories. If you think that you recognize anything or anyone in the photo, we would love to hear from you. You can respond in the comments section of each article, or you can contact us.
"Buddy's Buddies" identified by readers of altadenablog.com
Posted by AHS on 2012-04-23 11:48:00 CDT
Thanks to readers of altadenablog.com, this is what we found out about Buddy's Buddies. Thank you!
Reader Kim reported that the picture was from the Theatre Americana sometime in the 1960s. The actors are in costume for a show called "The Champagne General", written by Buddy Ebsen. The ladies in the photo are Cricket Goff (to the right of Buddy) and Susan Lane. James Almanzar played Abraham Lincoln in the show.
Another reader told us that Theatre Americana was the source of many happy times and happy memories.
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Who is with Buddy Ebsen?
Posted by Marlane on 2012-04-06 13:01:18 CDT
This photograph of Buddy Ebsen and two actresses was found in the archives of the Altadena Historical Society. We know nothing else about the picture. If you know who took the picture, or where and when the picture was taken, please let us know. We would also love to know what show the three are appearing in and who the actresses are.
A bigger picture of the object is available by clicking on "read more" below.
You can email me or respond using the comment function.
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Update to Blog Posts
Posted by Marlane on 2012-03-06 12:50:19 CSTWith today's update to the Blog, we are passing on the comments of our readers to the various Blog posts. Click on "read more" below for images.
Craftsman in the Poppy Fields A reader comments: “Great image. This is a guess only, but given the open-air porch on the building and the woman's attire, I suspect this photo may have been taken at one of Altadena’s many sanatoriums favored by respiratory patients. Three options: 1) La Vina, 2) Martin's on Lincoln near Alta Loma and 3) Hygeia".
What is this metal thing? A reader comments: “It looks to me like it is one leg of the old fashioned sinks common in the 20s.”
What was this used for? A reader said that this could be a souvenir to mark the many well-publicized hill tests that took place in Altadena. After the toll road was widened to accept cars, they probably had some Model T rallies going up it, and might have marked these occasions with little advertising specialty items. Those clips might have made the little emblems something you could attach to a tie.
Picnicking in the San Gabriels One reader said: “I always thought the man with hat and beard looks like Ben Eaton” and when compared with other photographs it does in fact look like him.
Another Reader thinks that this may be Eaton Canyon because of the concrete “dam” in the background and "both the gnarled tree roots and big rough granite chuck look familiar to me.”
The Big Dig was correctly identified by several readers as the Rose Bowl under construction.
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Do You Recognize the Craftsman in the Poppy Field?
Posted by Marlane on 2012-02-14 13:31:42 CST
The area which became Altadena was famous for its poppy fields. In the springtime, Spanish sailors far out to sea noticed a mantle of brilliant gold just below the San Gabriel mountains. It was California's native poppy blanketing the hillsides.
This postcard is a recent acquistion. The picture was taken about 1915. The caption at the bottom says "Poppy Field Altadena, California near Pasadena". To see a larger version of the postcard, click on "read more" below.
The Craftsman building in the background is probably demolished, but the mountains might reveal the location. If the building or its location look familiar, please let us know where it is and if it is still there. You can email us or respond using the "Comments" function.
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What is the Location of the Big Dig Pictured here?
Posted by Marlane on 2012-01-23 13:40:07 CSTChallenge to readers of the Altadena Historical Society Blog!!!!
Do YOU know where this is? We do. This photograph, by F. W. Martin Co., was donated by Barbara Boegenoogen in 2009. The first person who correctly identifies this "big-dig location" gets a free reproduction vintage postcard featuring the searchlight at Echo Mountain. Also, if you would like to be recognized for your knowledge, we will publish your name in the next newsletter.
To see a larger version of the photo, click on "read more" below.
To ensure that you are the first responder, please send us an email. Also,everyone should feel free to post any comments below.
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What was this used for?
Posted by Marlane on 2012-01-09 12:48:20 CST
Here we have a picture of a metal decoration of a Model T Ford type automobile. It is possibly made of pressed tin. The object has two clips on the back side. We would love to know what it was used for--decoration, sales promotion.....
This metal artifact was part of a collection given to the Altadena Historical Society by Altadena resident Heinz Ellersieck. The collection consists of objects said to have been found in the Echo Mountain / Mount Lowe area. They were displayed at the historic Pacific Electric Powerhouse on Lake Avenue in the late 1990s.
A bigger picture of the object is available by clicking on "read more" below.
You can email me or respond using the comment function.
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Picnicking in the San Gabriels
Posted by Marlane on 2011-11-21 13:25:14 CST
The picture, courtesy of Pasadena Museum of History, shows picnickers in the San Gabriels and is featured on page 74 of Michele Zack's book, Altadena Between Wilderness and City. The location is unknown. Could it be Eaton Canyon, Devil's Gate or Rubio Canyon?
It would be wonderful to know who these folks are and where they are. To see a larger version of the photo, click on "read more" below. If you know anything about the people or the location, please email me or use the comment function below. If not, I would still love to hear your thoughts about the photo or anything related.
Thanks!
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Where in the world are Bob and Billy Green?
Posted by Marlane on 2011-10-17 12:18:06 CDT
This is a picture from the Col. G. G. Green collection of photos archived at the Lake Hopatcong, NJ, Historical Society. Col. Green made his millions producing and selling "medical" elixirs in the late 19th century. AHS knows the men in the picture are Bob and Billy Green, walking somewhere in Altadena--but where? I would also like to know how the men are related to Col. G. G. Green.
Based on the mountains in the background, can anyone tell what street they are walking on? Does the house in the background on the left look familiar?
To see a larger version of the photo, click on "read more" below. If you know "where in the world the Greens are", please email me or use the comment function below. If not, I would still love to hear your thoughts about the photo or anything related.
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Mystery Photo Blog
Posted by Marlane on 2011-09-19 13:35:00 CDTThe Altadena Historical Society Blog is up and running!
I will be adding photos to the Blog each month. The AHS needs your help to identify people, places and things in the pictures.
The chronicling of Altadena History is in your hands.
It is time for you to comment on these articles! NOW!!!
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What is this metal thing?
Posted by Marlane on 2011-08-22 12:44:19 CDT
This metal artifact was part of a collection given to the Altadena Historical Society by Altadena resident Heinz Ellersieck. The collection consists of objects said to have been found in the Echo Mountain / Mount Lowe area. They were displayed at the historic Pacific Electric Powerhouse on Lake Avenue in the late 1990s.
The artifact measures approximately 11" x 2". AHS would love to know what it is and what it did. So, all you tool buffs and engineers, put on your thinking caps and chance a guess. A bigger picture of the object is available by clicking on "read more" below.
You can email me or respond using the comment function.
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