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."
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.
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'."
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.
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.
The Queen Anne Cottage is seen from across the lake, with a reflection of the cottage in the lake. Cottage was used by Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin. Currently on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Original fiberboard print. Caption reads "Views of Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, E. A. Bonine, Photo., Lamanda Park, Los Angeles Co., Cal."
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.
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.