Looking north east toward intersection of Santa Anita Ave. near point where Campus Drive intersects. McLean's Garage is plainly seen on the right. A large gasoline truck is parked just to the north. Farther north can be seen Arcadia Cash Market with another tank truck parked in front. There are at least 9 people seen standing by; one, a police officer, third from right.
On Ainsworth Ranch just east of Santa Anita and Orange Grove Avenue. Pictured on left is a wooden garage on stone foundation. Parked near is family Packard Touring car with top down. Beyond can be seen small bridge on Santa Anita Avenue which spanned the Sierra Madre Wash.
A Japanese family (child, mother, father) pictured by small house they lived in on Harry Ainsworth Ranch which was just east of intersection of Santa Anita and Orange Grove Ave. The father was the head gardener for Ainsworth. Name unknown.
Entrance to Harry Ainsworth Ranch which was just to east of intersection of Santa Anita and Orange Grove Avenue. In this view we are on ranch property looking west through gate toward town of Sierra Madre. Tall eucalyptus are on Santa Anita Avenue. Car is driving through stone-based pillars of gate. Wistaria vine in blossom covers frame over entry.
Six men are seen standing in a group. L-R:Los Angeles County Supervisor John Anson Ford, Superintendent William A. Smith, Superintendent Raymond V. Darby (Chairman), F. Wesley Davies (Manager Rancho Santa Anita, Inc.), and Superintendent Leonard J. Roach. Davies is seen handing deed to 111-acre tract of historic Rancho Santa Anita to Superintendent Darby. This was to be developed into the Arboretum.
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.
Bali House through the jungle in the north shore at lake at the Arboretum. Part of set for the filming of "A Honeymoon in Bali," starring Madelene Carrol and Fred McMurray. Originally it was to be named "Are Husbands Necessary." Directed by F.H. Griffith, June-July, 1939. Gate shows in front of photo with house in rear. Part of house on right side of photo is draped with what looks like a black cloth.
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.
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.
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."
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'."
Harry Ainsworth Ranch, upper grove looking north to mountains. Present day Highland Oaks School would be located about where trees block the end of the row of citrus trees.
Actor Johnny Sheffield is seen in costume for filming at the Arboretum. He is looking up and holding onto a tree limb with his left hand. Photo probably taken during filming of a Tarzan movie.
One of the houses on the north cove of the lake at the Arboretum which was built for the filming of the movie "Road to Singapore," starring Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, and Bob Hope. The house is up on stilts in the lake. The movie was filmed in 1940.