Pasadena, Newfoundland and Labrador

Pasadena
Crown of the Valley
Town

Pasadena Air Photo (2001)

Seal
Motto: Crown of the Valley
Pasadena

Location of Pasadena in Newfoundland

Coordinates: 49°00′58″N 57°36′18″W / 49.01611°N 57.60500°W / 49.01611; -57.60500Coordinates: 49°00′58″N 57°36′18″W / 49.01611°N 57.60500°W / 49.01611; -57.60500
Country  Canada
Province  Newfoundland and Labrador
Settled Early 1920s
Incorporated 1969
Government
 • Type Pasadena Town Council
 • Mayor Otto Golding
 • CAO Brian Hudson
 • MHA Scott Reid (L)
Dwight Ball (L)
 • MP Gudie Hutchings (L)
Area
 • Total 49.6 km2 (19.2 sq mi)
Elevation 30 m (100 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 3,352
 • Density 68.2/km2 (177/sq mi)
Time zone Newfoundland Time (UTC– 3:30)
 • Summer (DST) Newfoundland Daylight (UTC– 2:30)
Postal code span A0L
Area code(s) 709
Highways Route 1
Website Town of Pasadena

Pasadena is an incorporated town located in census division 5 which is in the western portion of Newfoundland, Canada and it is a picturesque community on the shores of Deer Lake at the junction of the North Arm Valley and the Humber Valley.

The town was named after Pasadena, California. The meaning of the name is sometimes claimed to be "crown of the valley". The Town of Pasadena claims the name is Spanish for "crown of the valley".[2] However, the name, first applied to the city in California, is a corruption of an Ojibwe phrase meaning "valley" or "of the valley". The founders of Pasadena, California, claimed it was Ojibwe for "crown of the valley" or "key of the valley" when in fact it only meant, roughly "of the valley".[3]

History

The Town of Pasadena formerly consisted of three separate communities: South Brook, Pasadena and Midland.

South Brook

South Brook was located on the sandy shore of Deer Lake. It evolved much earlier than Pasadena, starting out in the early 1920s as a logging camp for the Bowater Company from Corner Brook. The railway also used South Brook, but only as a stop along its route across the island. In 1921, the census showed that South Brook only had a population of 6 people, within 2 families.

However, South Brook soon became a hive of activity, when the Bowaters Company started up its woods operations. It established a bunkhouse, cook-house and a company store to supply the needs of the areas wood camps. These camps would employ as many as 100 loggers during the winter months. Logging was the main industry in South Brook, but it also had a good supply of rock, which was suitable for the building of the power house in Deer Lake, so a quarry was set up and the rock was shipped to Deer Lake by train.

Homes began to spring up in South Brook as the men coming to work in the wood camps brought their families with them. With women and children living there, schools, medical aid, and recreation facilities were needed. church services were held in people’s houses at first, but later, all religions used the school as their church.

Pasadena

The second piece of the puzzle begins in St. John's. In 1923, Leonard Earle, a business man in St. John’s, who had a small 11-acre (45,000 m2) farm on the outskirts of the city, heard about some suitable farm land on the West Coast in the Humber Valley area. Wanting to get into farming full-time, he decided to visit the area and attempt to purchase some land. He discussed the acquisition of the land with the paper company officials, but the talks foundered when it was discovered that the company did not own the land. Thus, Earle was forced to return to his small farm in the city.

Ten years later, in 1933, Earle was informed that a 2,500-acre (10 km2) block of land, the same land that he had been interested in years earlier, was for sale. Seizing the opportunity, he sold his St. John’s farm and immediately purchased the farmland in the Humber Valley. In the summer of 1933, he hired a group of men from Corner Brook to build a house, and with the help of some men that came with him, he cleared the land by hand and capstan. They built bridges and barns and planted vegetables. The flat fertile land and the temperate climate provided ideal conditions for growing such crops as potatoes and carrots. Earle decided to call this beautiful part of the Humber Valley, Pasadena, in honour of his wife, who had once lived in Pasadena, California, and also in honour of their marriage, as that is where they were married. The name Pasadena is derived from an Ojibwa (or Chippewa) word meaning "valley", "valley town", "key of the big valley", or "crown of the valley", depending on which expert you ask.

The Earles may have been the first family to settle in Pasadena, but it wasn’t long before others became interested in the little community. The first winter, the Earles were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ryan. Later that same year, three section men with the Newfoundland Railway, Ned Carter, Jim Carter, and Douglas Tapp were transferred to the area. It was these five families that formed the nucleus of what was to become the Community of Pasadena.

Midland

The third and final piece of the puzzle, the community of Midland, evolved in 1936 as part of a government relocation program. Due to a severe decline in the inshore fishery around the Avalon Peninsula, many families were starving and the government of Commission began to look for some other means of livelihood for them.

It was on the picturesque, forest-covered, level land, next door to Pasadena, that the government land settlement began. It was named Midland because of its position – halfway between Deer Lake and Corner Brook. Potential settlers for this community came from outlying areas of the island deeply affected by the Great Depression. The 25 men involved in the resettlement program came from Argentia, Red Island, Lamaline, Burin, Bell Island, and Clarke’s Beach. In June 1936, the men came to Midland. With just one tractor, supplied by the government, they started clearing the land, in preparation for their families to join them. The men cleared two 20-acre (81,000 m2) fields and used them as a community farm until their own individual land was ready. All vegetables grown were taken to the government store to be sold and any profits were shared among the men.

In September 1936, all 25 homes were ready for occupancy. The homes were very simple. There was no electricity or running water and all the bathrooms were located about thirty feet back in the woods. All homes were built and painted alike, and therefore it was difficult to tell one home from another.

Finally that day in September arrived when the men settlers from Midland went to the railway in Pasadena to meet their excited families. To transport their families and their few belongings from the station, a platform with seats was built on a horse-drawn cart.

Over the years, roads were improved and more land was cleared, but the farms never materialized. Each settler had been given 35 acres (140,000 m2) of land but they only cleared enough land to meet their immediate requirements. It wasn’t long before many of the men were seeking employment elsewhere, such as the American base: Ernest Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville and with the Pulp and Paper Industry in Corner Brook. Several of the original settlers even returned to their home towns, preferring the uncertainty of fishing to the drudgery of farming.

Joining together

Being in such close proximity to each other, it was inevitable that Pasadena and Midland would eventually become one. They were incorporated in 1955, adopting the name of The Community of Pasadena-Midland. The first Community Council of Pasadena-Midland consisted of Charles Bonnell, Chairman; Nelson Bennett, Secretary; and Allan French, Councillor.

Very little growth took place in the Community of Pasadena-Midland until 1969 when the community status gave way to town status, and was named the Town of Pasadena. The first mayor was Gordon Clarke.

The town experienced rapid growth after receiving its town status. In 1971, the population of Pasadena was 891, but by 1985, it had risen to more than 3,200. In 1985, after much persistence from the town council, the whole town was serviced with municipal water and sewage, all main streets were paved, and a Town Plan and Development Regulations were in place to ensure the orderly growth and development of the town.

It was about this time that the Department of Municipal Affairs in St. John's began to see the possibilities of another merger, this time between the Town of Pasadena and its much smaller neighbor to the west, the Community of South Brook. South Brook had not received nearly as much attention as Pasadena, and could benefit greatly if merged with Pasadena. In 1985, negotiations between the two Councils and the Department of Municipal Affairs for the amalgamation of the Town of Pasadena and the Community of South Brook began.

After much debate between both communities, a satisfactory consensus was reached, and on January 1, 1986, the Community of South Brook was amalgamated with the Town of Pasadena. Once again, the town had become a hive of activity. A new town plan had to be drawn up to incorporate the increased municipal boundaries, a new Comprehensive Development Plan was also prepared to ensure proper linkage of existing municipal services and pre-planned future expansion. As a result of the continued growth and the addition of the smaller neighboring community, the projections for the future are showing a continuing steady growth in all sections.

As a town, Pasadena is proud of its growth and the high standards of service and quality of life it provides. It prides itself in being one of the best laid out towns in the province, and looks forward with confidence to the future. It is Pasadena, South Brook, and Midland that make Pasadena a complete town and the “Crown” of the beautiful Humber Valley. In 2012, Pasadena celebrated a Come Home Year with hundreds of people visiting during the ten days of festivities in late July of that year. The Come Home Year profits were able to provide funding to a number of different community groups.

Pasadena's recent growth has seen an influx of young families. The community itself is very family oriented. The Treehouse Family Resource Centre boasts a busy schedule, playground and ball field facilities are in great condition and the community has a thriving walking, running, skiing and outdoor community.

Culture

Demographics
Population in 2011 3,352
Population change from 2006 5.4%
Median age 39.5
Number of families 985
Number of married couples 795
Total number of dwellings 1,428
Catholic 28.2%
Protestant 69.9%
Land Area (km²) 49.16

Statistics Canada detail demographics follow link here

Tourist attractions

Town Council

2014 Election

Pasadena Council 2014
Mayor Otto Golding
Deputy Mayor Gemma Walsh
Councilor Derrick Anthony
Councilor Keith Hillier
Councilor Malcolm Turner
Councilor Barry Walsh
Councilor Tom Wheaton

2013 Election

Pasadena Council 2013
Mayor Otto Golding
Deputy Mayor Gemma Walsh
Councilor Derrick Anthony
Councilor David Decker
Councilor Keith Hillier
Councilor Malcolm Turner
Councilor Barry Walsh

2009 Election

Pasadena Council 2009
Mayor Gary Bishop
Deputy Mayor Gemma Walsh
Councilor Derrick Anthony
Councilor Sharon Evans
Councilor Otto Goulding
Councilor Barry Walsh
Councilor Tom Wheaton

2005 Election

Pasadena Council 2005
Mayor Bob Mercer
Deputy Mayor Gary Bishop
Councilor Doug Beattie
Councilor Nathan Lehr
Councilor Lester Sparkes
Councilor Mac Turner
Councilor Tom Wheaton
Town of Pasadena Council Chambers

2003 Election

Pasadena Council 2003
Mayor Brian Pike
Deputy Mayor Gary Bishop
Councilor Derrick Anthony
Councilor John Hutchings
Councilor Nathan Lehr
Councilor Malcolm Turner
Councilor Thomas Wheaton

2002 Election

Pasadena Council 2002
Mayor Brian Pike
Deputy Mayor Roy Hutchings
Councilor Derrick Anthony
Councilor Gary Bishop
Councilor John Hutchings
Councilor Malcolm Turner
Councilor Thomas Wheaton

2001 Election

Pasadena Council 2001
Mayor Brian Pike
Deputy Mayor Roy Hutchings
Councilor Derrick Anthony
Councilor John Hutchings
Councilor Peter McBreairty
Councilor Malcolm Turner
Councilor Thomas Wheaton

1999 Election

Pasadena Council 1999
Mayor Derek Simmons
Deputy Mayor Gary Bishop
Councilor Peter McBreairty
Councilor Connie Taylor
Councilor Maxine Osmond
Councilor Brian Pike
Councilor Malcolm Turner

1997 Election

Pasadena Council 1997
Mayor Derek Simmons
Deputy Mayor Gary Bishop
Councilor Peter McBreairty
Councilor Christopher Noseworthy
Councilor Maxine Osmond
Councilor Brian Pike
Councilor Malcolm Turner
Town Hall in Pasadena

1996 Election

Pasadena Council 1996
Mayor David Osmond
Deputy Mayor Derek Simmons
Councilor Doug Beattie
Councilor Ivan Downton
Councilor Donald Langdon
Councilor Joseph Noseworthy
Councilor Malcolm Turner

1993 Election

Pasadena Council 1993
Mayor Bob Mercer
Deputy Mayor David Osmond
Councilor Eileen Ryan
Councilor Donald Langdon
Councilor Derek Simmons
Councilor Joseph Noseworthy
Councilor Ivan Downton

1989 Election

Pasadena Council 1989
Mayor Frank Bonnell
Deputy Mayor Donald Langdon
Councilor Eileen Ryan
Councilor Lorne Taylor
Councilor James Cheeseman
Councilor Derek Simmons
Councilor Joseph Noseworthy

1985 Election

Pasadena Council 1985
Mayor Frank Bonnell
Deputy Mayor L. Janes
Councilor Harry Camp
Councilor Donald Langdon
Councilor W. Martin
Councilor Joseph Cheeseman
Councilor Derek Simmons
Councilor M. Ryan

1981 Election

Pasadena Council 1981
Mayor B. Pardy
Deputy Mayor F. Bonnell
Councilor D. Langdon
Councilor D. Walsh
Councilor N. Gillard
Councilor W. Martin
Councilor H. Butt

1977 Election

Pasadena Council 1977
Mayor B. Pardy
Deputy Mayor P. Cruikshark
Councilor D. Langdon
Councilor E. Norman
Councilor M. Turner
Councilor W. Chaulk
Councilor M. Rice

1973 Election

Pasadena Council 1973
Mayor N. Bennett
Deputy Mayor R. Pike
Councilor J. Loughlin
Councilor F. Moores
Councilor C. French
Councilor B. Pardy
Councilor M. Rice

1969 Election

Pasadena Council 1969
Mayor C, Clarke
Deputy Mayor J.J. Smith
Councilor H. Wight
Councilor H. Rowe
Councilor C. Bonnell
Councilor A. Stentaford
Councilor R. Pike

**1969 Election**

Pre-Incorporation July 1969
Chairperson C, Clarke
Member S. Goodyear
Member W. Power
Member H. Wight
Member F. Ledrew

1967 Election

Pre-Incorporation 1967
Chairperson G. Clarke
Vice Chair H. Wight
Secretary J. French
Member W. Power
Member H. Yetman
Member S. Goodyear

1965 Election

Pre-Incorporation 1965
Chairperson N. Bennett
Secretary E.J. French
Member C. Bonnell
Member H. Rowe
Member R. Pike
Member H. Wight

1965 Election

Pre-Incorporation 1965
Chairperson N. Bennett
Secretary H. Taylor
Member C. Bonnell
Member J. Crocker
Member R. Pike
Member H. Wight

1964 Election

Pre-Incorporation 1964
Chairperson C. Bonnell
Vice Chair H. Wight
Secretary H.T. Butt
Building Inspector J.J. Smith
Member S. Bonia

1960 Election

Pre-Incorporation 1960
Chairperson C. Bonnell
Vice Chair N. Bennett
Secretary H.T. Butt
Building Inspector J.J. Smith
Fire Chief R. Pike

1958 Election

Pre-Incorporation 1958
Chairperson C. Bonnell
Secretary H.T. Butt
Member N. Bennett
Building Inspector L. Martin
Fire Chief S. Bonia

See also

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ History, Pasadena, The Crown of the Valley
  3. ↑ Stewart, George R. (1967) [1945]. Names on the Land: A Historical Account of Place-Naming in the United States (Sentry edition (3rd) ed.). Houghton Mifflin.
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