Rose Bowl, The

The Rose Bowl is best known for playing host to the “granddaddy of them all”—the much anticipated major college football game held every January 1. It has further secured its place in sports history by playing host to Super Bowls, BCS football championships, Olympic games, and World Cup finals. For the residents of Pasadena, the Rose Bowl is also an important community center. In addition to football games (and Caltech pranks), many Pasadenans remember graduating at the bowl. Over the years, the Rose Bowl has held numerous concerts, peace rallies, festivals, flea markets, and Fourth of July celebrations. And the structure itself, designed by architect Myron Hunt, is seen by many as a proud testament to Pasadena’s commitment to architectural innovation. The photographs in this book, many from the archives of the Pasadena Museum of History, highlight the Rose Bowl’s memorable sports moments as well as the stadium’s unique role in Pasadena’s cultural life.