Hotel Raymond in South Pasadena opened on Jan 12, 1932, for the winter season and carried on the tradition of representing South Pasadena in the venerated Tournament of Roses.

1932 was an eventful year in Los Angeles as the Rose Parade saluted the Tenth Olympic Games. It was dry on New Years Day, despite the overall rainy season. Just three years after the Crash, it was not quite the end of the depression. Yet the 43rd parade gave hope as such luminaries as Albert Einstein & his wife looked on.

In SouthPas, the city was hit by the Depression and the community was spending much effort on assisting residents who were suffering economically. An editorial in the South Pasadena Foothill Review, January 9, 1931, noted the importance of the Rose Parade as “good advertising” and contributing “something to our civic pride.” But the editorial came after one on the same day that made “an appeal to the people” to help other citizens who were hungry.

Later that year the city held a large and successful Community Chest drive to get pledges from residents to help others in the city who were in need.

In 1932 it was by the presence of the notorious new hotel on the hill that we carried on our long tradition of participating in the parade. The City still seemed to be focusing on getting donations and assistance for impoverished residents. Civic spirit was still high, but was directed toward assistance