Marlborough Celebrates 125 Years

Marlborough School is kicking off a year-long celebration of its 125th anniversary as an independent day school for girls this fall with a variety of events and activities for the young women grades 7-12 currently on campus, and for the many thousands of alumnae, parents, employees and friends who have been involved with the school for the past 125 years.

Located in Hancock Park, not far from the Larchmont Village business district, many think of Marlborough as having always been located in the “HP” – but it actually started in Pasadena. This brief description and historic photographs from Marlborough gives us a look at the history of the school:

In 1889, Mrs. Mary Deering Caswell, an educator from the state of Maine, moved west to California. Newly widowed and with her daughter and niece in tow, Mrs. Caswell immediately opened a school for girls, first in Pasadena, then moving west near downtown Los Angeles, and ultimately settling in 1916 at the corner of Third Street and Rossmore Avenue, where it remains today as Marlborough School. Since that time, Marlborough has grown and expanded its facilities, enrollment, and offerings—both academic and co-curricular.

1889 - St. Margaret's School in Pasadena, the original school founded by M Caswell. — 1889 – St. Margaret’s School in Pasadena, the original school founded by M Caswell.

1890 - Marlborough moves to 23rd and Scarff Streets in the former Marlborough Hotel — 1890 – Marlborough moves to 23rd and Scarff Streets in the former Marlborough Hotel.

1916 - Marlborough moves to its present site at the corner of Rossmore and Third. — 1916 – Marlborough moves to its present site at the corner of Rossmore and Third.

Late 1960s - Demolition of the old Marlborough school buildings — Late 1960s – Demolition of the old Marlborough school buildings.

Late 1960s - First days of the construction of current classroom buildings at Marlborough. — Late 1960s – First days of the construction of current classroom buildings at Marlborough.

About Julie Grist

Julie co-founded the Larchmont Buzz with fellow buzzer Mary Hawley in 2011 and served as Editor, Publisher and writer for the hive for many years until the sale of the Buzz in August 2015. She is still circling the hive as an occasional writer.