EAST OF ALLEN

1880 Topographical Map of the Los Angeles and San Bernardino Basin, Wm. Hall, Office of the California State Engineer

Here’s the thing about Hahamongna: the place is unique. Just over the city’s edge and at the mouth of the Arroyo Seco, Hahamongna is a rare spot that lies between the San Gabriel Mountains and the expansive urban flatlands. There’s a stream, native plant life, animals and birds.

Nothing like it in Pasadena. Really not much like it in all of southern California.

Hahamongna should be preserved.

Soccer fields, are important. But, soccer fields do not need to be built in Hahamongna.

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So, what’s with the map?

We don’t generally think much about the natural landscape of our cities. That’s probably because we don’t see much of it any more. Hills have been graded down, low spots filled up, ravines covered, buildings erected.

But, there is or was a natural terrain around us. The map shows this in detail — the dominant San Gabriel Mountains, the smaller ranges, the valleys, and near the middle of the map, two rivers running from the mountains to the ocean. You can spot where Pasadena is — in the upside down “u” just east of the big San Fernando Valley.

Aside from the fact that old maps are fun, the point is this: The valleys are expansive. But over the entire region, there are few places where river, valley and mountains converge. Hahamongna is one of those places. Let’s preserve it.

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For others participating in the Great Hahamongna Blog Day, visit these great local blogs:

Altadena Above It All
Altadena Hiker
A Thinking Stomach
East of Allen
Finnegan Begin Again
LA Creek Freak
Mendolonium
Mister Earl’s Musings
My Life With Tommy
Pasadena Adjacent
Pasadena Daily Photo
Pasadena Latina
SaveHahamongna.org
Selvage
The Sky Is Big In Pasadena
Webster’s Fine Stationers Web Log
West Coast Grrlie Blather
Avenue to the Sky
91105 and Beyond
Greensward Civitas