July 12, 2017 - Today we drove to San Marino to visit the El Molino Viejo, the "Old Mill." Completed about 1816 as a grist mill for the Mission San Gabriel, the original two story structure measured 53 by 26 feet. El Molino Viejo is the oldest commercial building in Southern California. The lower walls are five feet thick and are composed of oven-baked brick and volcanic tuff, while the walls of the upper level are built of layers of sun-dried adobe slabs. Rafters, ceiling, and beams are made of local pine and sycamore. Surrounding the Mill is an attractive, well-maintained garden highlighting native California trees and plants, the centerpiece of which is the Pomegranate Patio.
This is the Pomegranate Patio, a semi-circular courtyard at the back of the mill.
There are massive buttresses on each corner of the mill.
Here you can easily see the thickness of the lower walls.
After the mill operation ceased, it was converted to residential use, which six lucky families enjoyed. It's beautiful!
Before going to the Mill, we stopped in Pasadena for lunch at Lucky Baldwin's Pub. It's a traditional British pub with definite old-world charm. I had their fish and chips that were perfectly prepared and Judy had their homemade chicken curry that she loved. It was another great day.
