THE SOCIAL SCENE
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Adolphus Busch
extraordinary entrepreneur who earned tens of millions making beer
The Curators
Both Michael Logan and Gary Cowles settled in Pasadena in the late 1990’s. Mr. Logan has been a professional painter for
many years specializing in restoration and faux finishes. Mr. Cowles is a painting/wallpaper contractor who had worked
for 20 years in the Burbank and Glendale area .
Ironically, Adolphus Busch felt "in most instances, these people cannot be trusted,..." (in correspondence to his agent in Pasadena, Ernest H. Lockwood, November 14, 1904, in regards to having his new residence receiving "a fresh coat of stain,...").
However, Michael Logan and Gary Cowles believe Mr. Busch would be appreciative of the pains they have taken to "paint" an accurate representation of the history of the Busch Gardens.
Busch imported over 100 vividly painted sculptures from Germany for the Gardens, including the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and the Gingerbread House
On Display: Rarely seen relics
Gift of Adolphus Busch to Ted Behr's maternal grandfather, F.C.E. Madison, Mr. Busch's Pasadena physician.
Between 1905 and 1937, millions of visitors enjoyed the original Busch Gardens' spectacular landscapes and fairytale sculptures on 30 acres of prime Pasadena property. It was hailed as the "eighth wonder of the world." Hollywood used the location for filming "Gone With the Wind." Then it disappeared.
"To discover that so little was known about one of Pasadena’s major tourist attractions — and that it was so close to my home — cultivated a keen curiosity and a compulsion to know as much as possible about the Busch Gardens, " says exhibition co-curator Gary Cowles.
The result of his compulsion – shared with co-curator Michael Logan – is the Pasadena Museum of History exhibition celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of the Opening of Busch Gardens. Created by Adolphus Busch (1839
-
1913), the flamboyant industrialist co-founder of Anheuser-Busch Companies, this magnificent public pleasure garden was one of the major tourist attractions in Southern California for much of the first half of the 20
th
century. The exhibition presents both Garden and Busch family material never before assembled, including garden sculpture, souvenirs, maps, photographs, and family memorabilia. The exhibition runs through June 26
th
.
"The thrill of 'connecting the dots' with the aid of newspaper articles, photos, hearsay and hunches, post cards, and talking with old-timers resulted in creating maps showing the location of the buildings and features of the gardens never before revealed," continues Mr. Cowles. "Equally, the quest made other tangential areas of interest surface, which provides a bottomless trove of delightful, historical enigmas to investigate. Pasadena should be proud of the legacy of community involvement and the philanthropy of Adolphus and Lilly Busch, who so loved this city."
Busch Gardens included miles of pathways, tens of thousands of plants and shrubs, rare birds, and 100 vividly painted sculptures imported from Germany including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and the Gingerbread House. Construction and maintenance required the services of 30 expert gardeners as well as additional laborers with an annual cost estimated in the $40,000 to $60,000 range.
Over the course of its history, Busch Gardens attracted millions of visitors. The Pacific Electric Railway added a Busch Gardens stop on its nearest line. The site hosted entertainments, benefits, dog shows, and Easter egg parties. Hollywood used the Gardens as a film location from 1909 through 1950
. Among the many movies filmed there were "Adventures of Robin Hood," Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "Pride and Prejudice," "Beau Geste," "Summer Holiday," and "Gone With
the Wind."
Busch Gardens was the brainchild of Adolphus Busch, who emigrated from Germany just before the Civil War, married a brewer’s daughter, and by 1875 was co-partner in what would become the great brewing empire of Anheuser-Busch. Adolphus was a super-salesman and entrepreneur who used new ideas like pasteurizing beer, refrigerating railcars and innovative marketing techniques to become the King of Beer.
Busch was a grand figure of cultivated tastes, with the habits typical of wealthy 19 th century industrialists. He owned lavish estates in St. Louis; Cooperstown, New York; Pasadena and Germany, all with extensive grounds often decorated with statuary of characters from Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Pasadena was the winter home of the Busch family.
"I selected Pasadena…because I consider it a veritable paradise. It has no equal in the world regarding healthful climate, scenery, vegetation, flowers, shrubberies, fruit and general comfort of living…" Adolphus Busch wrote in 1911.
Adolphus originally had purchased the Pasadena property for his beloved wife Lilly, who maintained the Gardens after Adolphus died. Lilly died in her Pasadena home in 1928. On two separate occasions, what remained of the original Gardens were offered to Pasadena as a public park, but the City declined.
Exhibition particulars:
The exhibition runs through June 26th at the Pasadena Museum of History,
470 West Walnut Street, Pasadena. Admission is $5.00. (626) 577-1660.
Online at:
www.pasadenahistory.org
Celebrating the Arts, Culture and People
of Pasadena, San Marino, South Pasadena,
Altadena & La Cañada Flintridge