The land now famous for the Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and California Institute of Technology, was once occupied by the Hahamogna Tribe of Indians. Subsisting on local game and vegetation, the Hahamognas lived in villages scattered along the Arroyo Seco and the canyons from the mountains down to the South Pasadena area. With the arrival of the Spaniards and the establishment of the San Gabriel Mission on September 8, 1771, the Indians

The concept of Pasadena as a settled community began with a group of friends in Indiana, who organized the "California Colony of Indiana" with the object of relocating to the warmer climes of Southern California. Sent to scout the area, D. M. Berry became entranced with the fine air, the beauty and the good agricultural possibilities of the Rancho San Pasqual. Although financial failure led to an early demise of the Indiana Colony, Berry was quick to reorganize it. After adding a few carefully selected western associates, the group became known as the San Gabriel Orange Grove Association. Negotiations for the purchase of the land were settled in December 1873, and by the following month, 1500 acres were subdivided into 100 lots of 15 acres. The plans for the tract omitted a business district, since it was the intention of the settlers to reside there for the purposes of ranching and agriculture.

On April 22, 1875, the stockholders of the San Gabriel Orange Grove Association formally named their community "Pasadena." A Chippewa Indian word for "Valley," the name has also been interpreted as "Key of the Valley" or "Crown of the Valley," hence the adoption of both crown and key in the official city seal.

Pasadena. For millions of Americans, the name evokes images of relaxing in front of a television set each January 1st watching the first parade and football game of the new year.

But for 133,000 people, this Southern California community is more than just the Tournament of Roses parade and the Rose Bowl game. It's home.