The Arcadia Public Library was located at the southwest corner of First Avenue and Wheeler Street from 1930 to April 1961. Plate on the bottom of the frame reads In Memory of Drexel E. Watson. (This painting appears to be separate from the series of 100 historical paintings by Lenz and Wishek that …
The Arcadia Public Library was located at the southwest corner of First Avenue and Wheeler Street from 1930 to April 1961. Plate on the bottom of the frame reads In Memory of Drexel E. Watson. (This painting appears to be separate from the series of 100 historical paintings by Lenz and Wishek that Friends of the Arcadia Public Library had donated to the Arcadia Public Library in 1967).
Santa Anita Depot and Post Office -- Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin, owner of Rancho Santa Anita, gave the Santa Fe Railroad Company the right of way through his property if it would build a depot on it, bring the mail to the depot; and make it a signal stop. A.A. Bennett, the architect who designed…
Santa Anita Depot and Post Office -- Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin, owner of Rancho Santa Anita, gave the Santa Fe Railroad Company the right of way through his property if it would build a depot on it, bring the mail to the depot; and make it a signal stop. A.A. Bennett, the architect who designed the Capitol at Sacramento, also designed this Santa Anita Depot, which was built in 1890. The two-story Santa Anita Depot opened on Baldwin Avenue in 1890. Living quarters for the station agent, consisting of two rooms and a porch, were located on the second floor. During President Teddy Roosevelt's 1904 re-election campaign, the Santa Anita Depot was one of his "whistle stops." The station closed in 1940. When construction of the 210 Freeway threatened its existence in the late 1960s, it was dismantled and moved to the Arboretum. The newly relocated and reconstructed Depot was dedicated in September, 1970.
Lucky Baldwin's Store -- Known as "the Corner Store" was a built outside the Old Ranch Road gateway entrance to the Rancho Santa Anita, and served as a general emporium for the public as well as the Rancho tenants and workers. It carried groceries and "provisions," as well as Baldwin's wines and b…
Lucky Baldwin's Store -- Known as "the Corner Store" was a built outside the Old Ranch Road gateway entrance to the Rancho Santa Anita, and served as a general emporium for the public as well as the Rancho tenants and workers. It carried groceries and "provisions," as well as Baldwin's wines and brandies.
Antique Shop (Sierra Madre) -- On what is now the southeast corner of Baldwin Avenue and Sierra Madre Boulevard, Martin Olsen, a cobbler, opened a shoeshop in 1887. Before being torn down in 1956, it had also reportedly been a print shop, a Red Cross Headquarters, the residence of Orson Wells, a m…
Antique Shop (Sierra Madre) -- On what is now the southeast corner of Baldwin Avenue and Sierra Madre Boulevard, Martin Olsen, a cobbler, opened a shoeshop in 1887. Before being torn down in 1956, it had also reportedly been a print shop, a Red Cross Headquarters, the residence of Orson Wells, a mortuary, and Le Grifon Antique Shop.
Arcadia's First School -- This converted packing shed donated by Lucky Baldwin, was located on the northeast corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive, and opened as a school in 1903 with 58 students. Arcadia students had been attending schools in Monrovia, Sierra Madre and Chapman.
Arcadia's First School -- This converted packing shed donated by Lucky Baldwin, was located on the northeast corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive, and opened as a school in 1903 with 58 students. Arcadia students had been attending schools in Monrovia, Sierra Madre and Chapman.
Arcadia's First City Hall -- Erected on the northwest corner of Huntington Drive and First Avenue. It was a two-story colonial-style building designed by architect Xavier Lourdou. Dedicated on July 13, 1918, it served as Arcadia's seat of municipal government until 1948. It was torn down in 1950.
Arcadia's First City Hall -- Erected on the northwest corner of Huntington Drive and First Avenue. It was a two-story colonial-style building designed by architect Xavier Lourdou. Dedicated on July 13, 1918, it served as Arcadia's seat of municipal government until 1948. It was torn down in 1950.
Santa Fe Switch Tower in Arcadia -- This tower was placed in service about 1919. The plant was manned by Santa Fe on a 24-hour basis. It was demolished in 1954 when its function was automated. One side of the building reads "Arcadia Tower."
Santa Fe Switch Tower in Arcadia -- This tower was placed in service about 1919. The plant was manned by Santa Fe on a 24-hour basis. It was demolished in 1954 when its function was automated. One side of the building reads "Arcadia Tower."
Arcadia's First City Library Building -- This small frame house just north of the old City Hall was given to the City Council "without alterations, for use as a library," in 1924. ( A room in City Hall had served as the municipal library since the summer of 1920 when a proposition placed on the ba…
Arcadia's First City Library Building -- This small frame house just north of the old City Hall was given to the City Council "without alterations, for use as a library," in 1924. ( A room in City Hall had served as the municipal library since the summer of 1920 when a proposition placed on the ballot to establish a city library had received a favorable vote earlier in the year. From 1914 to 1920 the local library had been a branch of the Los Angeles County Library, housed in the McCoy Block.) This building served as the City's library until a new building was constructed in 1930.
Adobe Where Lucky Baldwin Died -- Built in 1840, the Hugo Reid Adobe was the first permanent structure built on Rancho Santa Anita. It was here, overlooking the lake where Hugo Reid had built his adobe some 70 years previously, that Lucky Baldwin died in 1909. In 1959-60, the Adobe was restored. …
Adobe Where Lucky Baldwin Died -- Built in 1840, the Hugo Reid Adobe was the first permanent structure built on Rancho Santa Anita. It was here, overlooking the lake where Hugo Reid had built his adobe some 70 years previously, that Lucky Baldwin died in 1909. In 1959-60, the Adobe was restored. It remains where it has always been, just south of the lake in what is now the Arboretum.
Bonita Hotel -- Built in 1890 on what is now the corner of Wheeler Street and First Avenue, this "hotel and bar" prospered after the Oakwood Hotel was destroyed by fire. It is no longer standing.
Bonita Hotel -- Built in 1890 on what is now the corner of Wheeler Street and First Avenue, this "hotel and bar" prospered after the Oakwood Hotel was destroyed by fire. It is no longer standing.
Santa Anita Clubhouse Turn (1966) -- This is a familiar scene to the millions who have excitedly watched the thoroughbreds round this turn going into the stretch.
Santa Anita Clubhouse Turn (1966) -- This is a familiar scene to the millions who have excitedly watched the thoroughbreds round this turn going into the stretch.
Mission Bells (San Gabriel Mission) -- Brought from Spain for the belfry (campanario), the bells, in their rope-worn niches, are still used on occasion.
Mission Bells (San Gabriel Mission) -- Brought from Spain for the belfry (campanario), the bells, in their rope-worn niches, are still used on occasion.
Old Mill (El Molino Viejo) -- This, San Marino's oldest (circa 1812) and most historic building, was the first grist mill in California. It was soon abandoned because water spiraling up the shaft dampened the grain and the meal could not be stored there.
Old Mill (El Molino Viejo) -- This, San Marino's oldest (circa 1812) and most historic building, was the first grist mill in California. It was soon abandoned because water spiraling up the shaft dampened the grain and the meal could not be stored there.
Dalton Adobe -- Captain Henry Dalton, a prosperous Englishman, was one of the few settlers who purchased his land grant. He is reputed to have paid $125,000 for the "Rancho de Azusa" land, and in 1844 built this adobe on it in Azusa Canyon.
Dalton Adobe -- Captain Henry Dalton, a prosperous Englishman, was one of the few settlers who purchased his land grant. He is reputed to have paid $125,000 for the "Rancho de Azusa" land, and in 1844 built this adobe on it in Azusa Canyon.
Dibble House -- Built in 1855, this two-storied structure is notable because it was made of bricks from a kiln on the rancho, and was one of the first Southern California dwellings to have been influenced by eastern U.S. architecture. Located in what is now La Puente, it was razed to make room for …
Dibble House -- Built in 1855, this two-storied structure is notable because it was made of bricks from a kiln on the rancho, and was one of the first Southern California dwellings to have been influenced by eastern U.S. architecture. Located in what is now La Puente, it was razed to make room for a housing tract.
End of Stagecoach Line -- The "Old Spanish Trail" into California was used by many early pioneers who came to California via the southern route; the trail ended on what is now Valley Boulevard in El Monte. According to legend, the large oak was known as "Hangman's Tree."
End of Stagecoach Line -- The "Old Spanish Trail" into California was used by many early pioneers who came to California via the southern route; the trail ended on what is now Valley Boulevard in El Monte. According to legend, the large oak was known as "Hangman's Tree."
Encanto Restaurant -- Originally El Encanto Inn, this building, which is still standing in San Gabriel Canyon north of Azusa, exemplifies early California architecture. It is one of the oldest restaurants in the area.
Encanto Restaurant -- Originally El Encanto Inn, this building, which is still standing in San Gabriel Canyon north of Azusa, exemplifies early California architecture. It is one of the oldest restaurants in the area.
The Short Line -- This railway line ran one train a day each way between Los Angeles and Pasadena, and became famous in the 1920's when it was used in "The Perils of Pauline," (Pearl White silent-movie serial), and many other silent movies.
The Short Line -- This railway line ran one train a day each way between Los Angeles and Pasadena, and became famous in the 1920's when it was used in "The Perils of Pauline," (Pearl White silent-movie serial), and many other silent movies.