The herald., 1894-03-09
PASADENA.
Prehistoric Pasadena-Badgett Claims
Self Defsnse-Notes.

Self Defenso-Eotes.
PASADENA. March 8.-The following
article is reproduced from the Star,
being from the pen Of DR.. H. A. Reid,
who has made a thorough study OF pre-
historic Pasadena. It will be read with
much interest, relating, as 1t does, to
the people who inhabited this land long
before we have any history OF and
traces Of whom have been almost en-
tirely lost;
Geology and Archaeology were the
topics before the science section OF
Pasadena's Fortnightly club on Febru-
ary 9th, and then drst made public
mention OF certain conclusions reached
by study OF the geology, hydrology and
topography OF this immediate region,
in connection with the prehistoric re-
mains OF man found nt Orange Grove
reservoir hill by our colony settlers in
the epring of 1874--just 20 years ago.
These matters have deep interest to
All persons having special taste for
scientific invastigations but the main
features of the case will also surprise
and interest the general reader, both
old and new settlers in Pasadena.
l wish now to set forth some Of the
principal points, and ask any others
who may have made observations in the
same line to give me their views on any
points involved, 30 that If more light
can be shed upon the subject within q
month or twe, or before Sny Pasadena
History volume goes to preBs, / may use
it for correction, addition or corrobora-
tion in its proper place. As to the stone
implements found on Reservoir hill, the
following are prime elements of Pasade-
mas ancient townslte problem:
First-This site was the highest point
or body of land anywhere in the vicin-
ity. The land sloped from it in every
direction.
Second-The natural surface, after the
sheep manure and vegetable mould had
been ecraped of, was composed of mate
rials washed down from the mountains
and cafionB, Just the same az the surface
soil for miles around.
Third-The surface had never before
been plowed or dug up or filed in by
pap: it was just as nature had left 1t
FouFth-The stone age relics were found
mostly about four feet below the natural
surface, or varying from three and half
to five feet. Living witnesses to this
fact are A. o. Brietol, ]. w. Wilson,
Henry G.. Bennett, j. II. Baker, Charles
H. Watts, Col. ]. Banbury, Hon. p. M.
Green, Thomas Croft. Judge B. s. Eaton,
and others whose names have not yet
obtained.
Fiith-No fragments OF pottery were
found. These pre-Pasadenians had not
yet acquired the art OF making pottery.
Sixth-No worked flint was found.
They had not yet acquired the art OF
working flint or using arrowheadB.
SaVanfh--NOu urnnuo6 afOna ouau -
hammers were found. Those people had
not yet learned that method OF attach
ing stone tool or weapon to bifurcat-
ed wooden handle.
Elghth-The specimens are true pale
oliths, or early stone-age relics.
Ninth-How came they there, and
when7
The controlling fact in the case is,
That the relics were buried four or more
ieet deaD by natural causes, even
though they were on the highest point
OF land IN the vicinity, And they must
have been originally covered mnch
deeper, for the hill had been subject 10
the natural washing down by annual
rains Tor some centuries of time. IL
they had lain anywhere on q slope,
having higher land even in one direc-
tlon, the washing down of soil upon
them would have been a commonplace
atair; but the facts in this case are so
olnerent as to have required some great
and unusual turmoil of nature to pro-
duce them. And here is where geology
comes in with an explanation.
The contour of the land and the gem
eral conditions OF bedrock at certain
points, and the transported deposits
still IN place hereabouts, besides the evil
dence OF sncient deposits that had been
again washed away, leaving cobblestone
bluffs OF great height, all conspire to
snow that at the time our ancient town
site was occupied the Arroyo gulf was
not there; but the Linda Vista hills.
which now terminate with Jumbo
knob" continued across the Reservoir
hill and ridge extended on eastward
10 far aB Summit or Morengo avenues.
The Linda Vista lands and the cores
ponding body of level land on the east
side (the Lincoln avenue fat were then
continuous clear across and formed the
bottom of great lake, with our stone
age village at it's lower end. It's overflow
waters swept out over and down the
hood-plain between the ridges OF Orange
Grove ahd Marengo avenues, and part
Of the time away southeastward into the
San Gabriel river.
AZ OcpllH 8 OaJo bD6E0 WAS RuO6n0r
barrier ledge, the Verdugo or Canada
niils extending across probably as far as
Monk hill, and thus making another
great terrace lake, which covered the
Arroyo Seco's present high banks and
deep bottoms, and part OF La Canada.
The line of bluffs or barrier ledge
from Columbia hill eastward, taking in
Grace hill, Raymond hill, Oak knoll,
ETC., held another terrace lake where
the lower part of Pasadena city is now
situated. And the Lincoln Park hills |
connected across to those southwest OF
Highland Park, making another terrace
lake that covered the land now occupied |
by Highland Park, Garvanza, Lincoln
Park and South Pasadena.
The bursting and breaking away of |
these terrace lakes and final opening of |
the Arroyo gorge, was connected with the |
glacial period or great ice age'' OF |