Read Larry Wilson's Pasadena-Star News column about Ricks and the exhibit.
In 2013 after Rick’s death,
the Historical Society received 1,000 slides he had taken of Altadena
intersections, buildings, streets and
scenes.
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| Ricks in the 1960s |
For the Webster’s exhibit, Altadena photographer and
director Rod Holcomb cleaned the negatives and then returned to the sites of
Ricks’ photos to record the same views today--taking special care to place
telephone poles and other landmarks in exactly the same position.
Ricks was socially awkward
and had mannerisms that were eventually thought to be symptomatic of Asperger’s
Syndrome. He photographed the same intersections numerous,
identical times. He saved every page of the Los Angeles Times and the Pasadena
Star-News, filling every room of his house to a depth of several feet.
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| Pacific Electric Substation #8 before restoration, 1970s |
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| Pacific Electric Substation #8 today |
And he spent decades engrossed in reincarnation and
parapsychology, especially his theory--which he called “The Pattern" - having to do with Altadena and the reincarnation of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon.
Ricks was a good photographer and his views of Altadena will bring back a flood of memories for anyone who grew up here.
On Saturday March 14 from 12 to 4 p.m. Webster's Community Pharmacy will host a public reception celebrating the "Altadena Then and Now" photo exhibit mounted by the Historical Society in the store's east hallway gallery. Enjoy refreshments by Park Bench Grill. The store is at 2450 N. Lake Ave. "Everyone is invited to stop by, enjoy this fantastic exhibit of 40 photos and exchange their Altadena stories and memories," said Meredith Miller, Webster's Community Pharamacy co-owner.
