Old Town Monrovia | Hometown USA off Historic Route 66

Old Town Monrovia is 8 miles east of Pasadena just past Arcadia in Los Angeles County. Myrtle Avenue is its historic core lined with vintage brick buildings. Here you’ll find unique boutiques, Mom and Pop shops, and homey restaurants. It’s got an All-American hometown vibe, for sure. Set against the foothills of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, it’s a lovely spot to take a stroll.

Watch my video walking tour of Monrovia

Founded by William Monroe

Monrovia was settled in the late 1880s by a group of bankers and railroad men who turned the San Gabriel Valley enclave into a community. The town was named after its first Mayor and founder William Monroe who was superintendent of construction for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Monroe purchased land and formed the Monrovia Land and Water Company in 1886. Monrovia was officially incorporated on December 15, 1887. It is the fourth oldest general law city in L.A. County. The cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pasadena are older.

The community is quiet and family-centered, and the neighborhood is attractive and friendly. It still has a small-town feel with only about 37,000 residents.

The Look Theatre

The movie theater on Myrtle opened in 1920 as the Colonial Theatre and was later renamed the Monrovia Theater. Look Cinemas took it over and it is now a modern dine-in movie theatre that serves good food and cocktails.

A beautiful park

Library Park opened on Myrtle Ave. in 1908 and its Carnegie Library served the community for the next 45 years. It was succeeded by the Monrovia Public Library.

The vintage Farmers Club drinking fountain that stands near Myrtle Ave was built in 1919 and is Historic Landmark #159.

Samson the Hot Tub Bear

As you stroll on Myrtle Ave, you may notice several Samson the Hot Tub Bear Statues. They were created to honor a 500-pound bear who made himself at home in Monrovia during the 1990s.

Route 66 hotspot

The ornately decorated Aztec Hotel opened in 1925. It’s an iconic stop on Historic Route 66. Its architect, Robert B. Stacy-Judd built it in the style of the Mayan Pyramids in South America but named it the Aztec Hotel because, at the time, more people were familiar with the Aztec Tribe in Mexico.

A collection of old homes and landmarks

If you drive through the neighborhood, you will see classic Victorian, Craftsman, Revival, and other vintage-style homes. Other landmarks include the Boxx Jeweler’s Street clock (Historic Landmark #36) and the C.O. Monroe House, located at 225 Monroe Place built in 1884. (Historic Landmark #82)

Old Town Monrovia – 119 W. Palm Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016​

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