Mills Place

Colorado Boulevard in Old Town Pasadena is lined with great shops. My favorite places to explore, though, are the nooks and crannies—the alleys off the Boulevard. But don't think dark and dangerous. If these shoppers had turned right they'd have found clothing boutiques, two restaurants and a spa.

The historical marker on the right edge of this picture says, "Mills Place: Named for Alexander Fraser Mills, a nurseryman who planted a citrus grove on 7 1/2 acres at the northwest corner of Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue in 1878. Mills Place was originally named 'Ward Alley.' In 1885, a fire at this site destroyed a laundry establishment owned by Chinese settlers." (The plaque was donated by Pasadena Heritage.)

I took a few pictures in Mills Place the other day. We'll do a little series over the next few days.