Photo and text of an L.A. Times newspaper article titled "Historic Santa Anita Tract Deed Delivered to County," describing the transfer of deed for 111-acre tract from Rancho Santa Anita, Inc. to the Los Angeles County Supervisors. The article states that the property will be converted into an arboretum.
Man is riding bicycle on a path inside Rancho Santa Anita Park and Lake (later, the Arboretum), with many palm trees. Sign reads "Open to the Public Daily until 7PM, private property" and "Curves, drive slowly through park." The following information is from Sandy Snider: This is indeed, today’s Arboretum, but at the time the property was owned by a real estate syndicate named Rancho Santa Anita Inc. The enterprise was headed by the Chandler family (Harry until he died), and they bought the land from Anita Baldwin in 1936 for purposes of residential development. About 1939 they opened “the park” to visitors in hopes of encouraging land sales. About 30 acres surrounding the lake was sort of set aside as Santa Anita Park and Lake, that was roughly the area made available for movie location rentals and clearly for bicyclists, etc. 1939 is the circa date for this photograph, but it could have been anytime between 1936 and 1947 (when the land was sold to State and County for use as an Arboretum). The granite boulders lining roadways were typical Baldwin Ranch landscape features, and the pillars seen in the photo are also from Baldwin times. In the background you can see more boulders in a circular sort of shape – likely the old Baldwin Lily Pond.
Three men are standing on a small boat during filming of a movie at the Arboretum. Handwritten note states,"John Payne in Enchanted Voyage - July, 1945 - Rancho Santa Anita."
The possibility of a fee for admission to both the Arboretum and Descanso Gardens is being considered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. At a hearing, Hal Roach, a member of the Board of Governors expressed the hope that the Supervisors would not resort to charging a fee. The fee would NOT be used to keep up the Arboretum, but would go into the County General Fund.
Spring 1935. Santa Anita Rancho field crops of many varieties were grown. View is toward the north. San Gabriel mountains completely across the photo. Chantry Flats Road visible at right side. White barn prominent in center of photo.
Airport scene taken at the Arboretum. Airplane on left and part of hangar visible on right. A number of people are standing around by the hangar. Handwritten note on back of photo states, "The plane taking off from landing field just west of Rancho Santa Anita Park in 'Safari'."
Peacock with its feathers spread is seen on what is thought to be Pig Hill, part of Tallac Knoll where Anita Baldwin kept her pigs. There is a fence behind the peacock and a number of pigs visible.
View north up Santa Anita Avenue with mountains in background. This photo was taken about where present Orange Grove Avenue intersects with Santa Anita Avenue. Note orange groves all along west side of Santa Anita as far as the mountains. Street is not paved.
Photographic reproduction of full two-page spread appearing in the February 28, 1938 issue of Life Magazine. Photo shows men on horses with swords, appearing to be fighting a battle. Caption indicates it was taken during filming of the movie OF HUMAN HEARTS. Information found with the original indicates that the filming took place at the Arboretum.
Aerial view north. Main tree-lined street is Santa Anita Avenue. Most of the orange grove in center of photo was owned by Jaspar Teague family. They had built a circular art gallery on their property at 1380 South Santa Anita Avenue. The large buildings north of Teague's and to the west of Santa Anita Avenue are chicken houses. Duarte Road is the east/west street across photo near top of photo.
Narrow Queen Anne Cottage roadway with tall trees and palms on both sides. Stamped on the original is "Assistance League-Film Location Bureau." No further identification.
Intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Duarte Road. There is a large orchard of some kind on the southeast corner. Enlargement of a section of photo ID 618.
Francis Ching, 60, a native Hawaiian, is retiring after 20 years as supervisor of the Los Angeles County Dept. of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens, which includes the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia.
White house and garage at left, with driveway freshly graded. On right side of photo is part of a family orchard. Caption on photo reads: NE corner of Santa Anita Wash and Longden Avenue.
Carl's Sweet Corn stand opens for 19th year locally a 75 Las Tunas Drive, one block west of Santa Anita Avenue. Operated as a family affair by Carl Kophamer.
Aerial view west toward Santa Anita Ave. from above First Avenue, site of new grammar school. Long driveway heads to Jaspar N. Teague home in center of 10 acre orange grove. (Address in City Directory for this name is 1380 S. Santa Anita.) House to left and south was that of Charles W. Stewart in another 10 acre plot. Both ranches are now occupied by First Avenue Junior High School.
Twelve people are seen picking strawberries on the Mauch ranch at Palm Avenue and Holly Avenue. All are wearing hats. The large white-colored hangars still standing on the Balloon School property can be seen behind the trees in left half of photo.