Preserving Pasadena’s Architecture and Charm

Southern California needs 100 more Claire Bogaards (“A Passion for the Old Pasadena,” July 8). Pasadena is the jewel it is because of efforts like hers. Developers have long ruled Los Angeles and the Southern California area, from the real estate speculation of William Mulholland’s era to decades even before that.

Developers care only about profits -- not wildlife, not trees, not livable communities, not architecture, not beauty, certainly -- which is why all over Los Angeles these days you can find hundreds of tacky stucco mini-malls and even more awful, oversized wannabe mansions of indeterminate architecture overbuilt onto crammed residential lots.

I do hope Bogaard puts in place a watchdog apparatus to safeguard Pasadena’s architecture that will survive her personal efforts.

Jeff Softley

West Hollywood

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It was a delight to read about historical preservationist Bogaard’s prolonged and commendable endeavors to restrain avaricious developers inoculated against respect for history, tradition and noble architecture. As a former staff writer I was, for a number of years, The Times’ “point man” in Pasadena, where I witnessed the burgeoning preservationist spirit of self-described “little old ladies in tennis shoes,” such as the late Genevieve Graydon.

Their torch is now being carried by Bogaard and others who have acquired a new sophistication that prevents the most insensitive developers from bulldozing a venerable and historic city’s past. Ironically, Pasadena’s Old Town section, which has been rescued from demolition, is greatly appreciated by the new generation that apparently prefers its historical ambience to slick modernity.

Cuthbert “Bert” Mann

Glendora

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How nice for Bogaard that others get to pay for her “passion.” How nice for her and Pasadena Heritage that they get to use the force of government to prevent property owners from using their land more efficiently. How nice for them that they get to have their vision of what Pasadena should look like without having to invest a cent.

Rodger Rosie

Los Angeles