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One of Monrovia's claims to
fame is that this small city has its own movie theater, unlike
other foothill towns. Banners along Myrtle Avenue display the names of famous
Monrovians, among them actor Eric Estrada. |
Monrovia, a city about a 15 minute drive to
the east of Pasadena, has won an All American City award. Currently
its population is slightly over
37,000. The median income is around $50,000.
Monrovia
is well-known in Southern California for its open air market with a
party atmosphere which is held on Friday evenings. For a few hours
its main street, Myrtle Avenue, fills up with farmers selling vegetables and
fruits, booths selling crafts and other goods, and long picnic tables
where families eat platters of ribs. Of course, there is music,
too.
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The upper story of this
building once housed the Monrovia jail. Hangings were held
out back during the city's younger, wilder days. Today three shops occupy the street level on
Myrtle Avenue. |
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Across Lime St. from the old jail
is Library Park with a statue of Mark Twain watching the good
citizens
of Monrovia. A new
library is currently under construction. |
As with all the old foothills cities at the base of the San Gabriel
Mountains, the homes near the town center were built in the early
1900s. Decade after decade newer homes were built higher and
higher into
the hills.
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The streets near downtown
Monrovia are lined with old Craftsman bungalows and Victorian
cottages. There are also some beautiful old mansions along
Greystone. |
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Drive
uphill along winding streets beyond the bungalows and the architecture changes from
California Craftsman to ranch homes built in the 1950s and
'60s. Even higher -- with even better views -- are
spacious contemporary homes. |
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