Cream of society meets in Pasadena

Dec. 20, 1919: All society attended “a brilliant affair” at the Hotel Maryland, “formal inaugural of the social side of what hotel and railroad men say will be the biggest tourist season Southern California has ever seen,” The Times reported.

The ball was “the first ensemble of the big winter social colony in Pasadena,” the newspaper said. “Visitors prominent socially in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Detroit, Duluth, Kansas City, Canada and many other places were present. Many beautiful gowns and jewels were seen.”

The ball “was preceded by dinner, dances and cabaret in the dining room and the palm room.”