Lincoln Avenue (Pasadena)

Lincoln Avenue is a major north-south road in Pasadena and Altadena, California, measuring 4.2 miles in length, and running from Downtown Pasadena to Millard Canyon.

History

Lincoln Avenue was originally called "New Fair Oaks Avenue," as it branched off of Fair Oaks Avenue to reach Millard Canyon, at the time Pasadena's biggest source of water. As city development moved north, the street's name was changed to Lincoln Avenue to avoid confusion. A local streetcar line ran on Lincoln Avenue between Chestnut and Montana Streets. Pasadena's first house was built on Lincoln Avenue, just northwest of Orange Grove Boulevard.

Geography

Lincoln Avenue originally branched off in a northwestern direction from Fair Oaks Avenue near Chestnut Street, but the construction of Interstate 210 caused the road to be shortened by a block. It now begins on Maple Street. The road continues northwest and is the central road in Pasadena's Lincoln-Villa neighborhood. North of Seco Street, Lincoln Avenue straightens out and becomes a major commercial-industrial artery. The road terminates on Millard Canyon Road in the recently developed La Vina community.