Melodia Mariposa Venues

The Davies Memorial Building was built in the early 1930s when locals from the Altadena Community Theatre Association applied for government funds from the Works Progress Administration. They wanted to create a community center that contained a real theatre – thinking that a live theater would generate some income for the community by providing jobs for unemployed residents. They also persuaded Los Angeles County to use a former nursery at Lake Avenue and Mount Curve Street to create a park and home for a theater company.

The rustic lodge-like two story structure, built with native cobblestone, cost about $50,000 to build and the above photo was taken during construction. It was completed in 1934.

William D. Davies, who was President of the Altadena Improvement Association loaned $4,000 for furnishings and equipment was donated by Altadena Women’s Circle, Altadena Women’s Club among others. The famous author (and Altadena resident), Zane Grey, reportedly donated funds for lighting the first performance, “Peter the Great.”

The Altadena Country Club, as it was originally known, was established in 1910 and had its grand opening on December 28, 1911. With its 18-hole golf course and two tennis courts, membership grew to 147 by 1915. The Clubhouse expanded its footprint in 1916 and added a 25-foot long x 8-foot deep swimming pool.

By 1917, WWI had taken its toll and membership dropped by 50%, nearly resulting in its closure. By 1920, a group of members took over the struggling Club and changed the name to Pasadena Golf Club. Trying to keep with the growing interest in golf, the course was rebuilt and was noted for having the largest tees and greens on the Pacific Coast, along with a “traveling sprinkler.”

A thriving Club by 1927, another series of renovations took place which added additional square footage for ballrooms, dining, and balconies to the existing clubhouse.

Westminster Presbyterian Church Pasadena began in 1906, when a group of pioneering Presbyterians who originally worshiped at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church decided to extend its activities to the Northeast area of Pasadena. After a small chapel was built, David McPherson, a church member and an engineer who built, with Thaddeus Lowe, the Mt. Lowe Railway, worked to see the church relocated further north on Lake Avenue in Pasadena. On December 11, 1908, a new site was purchased and soon after the chapel (known as Dodge Chapel) was relocated. The first service in the new location at Lake Avenue and Woodbury Road was held on January 31, 1909.

The congregation continued to grow and serve the community and in 1926, plans were laid to build a new, larger, sanctuary. The building (seen today) was constructed with the assistance of renowned architectural firm Marston, Van Pelt and Maybury and contractor Clarence Day. Judson Studios was contracted to provide stained glass windows. The cornerstone was laid on October 23, 1927.