Arcadia Depot and Oakwood Hotel historical marker dedication January 26 at Arcadia Transit Plaza, the former site of Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's Arcadia Depot. It is the Arcadia Historical Society's 11th History Lives Here historical marker.
A pictorial history entitled "Arcadia: Where Ranch and City Meet" is being published by the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library. The book is written and compiled by Pat McAdam of the Arcadia Public Library and Sandy Snider of the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum.
The history of the Pony Express Museum that used to be on the land where Santa Anita Inn is today is presented. See VF "Pony Express Museum" for copy of article.
Take the Gold Line to see the ponies at Santa Anita Park. Santa Anita Park offering the Santa Anita Shuttle to run on all race days and will operate in addition to Arcadia Transit's Shuttle service. The Santa Anita Shuttle runs non-stop from Arcadia Station (First Avenue and Santa Clara Street) of the Gold Line, through July 10, closing day of the spring meet.
Beth Costanza, Sandy Snider, and Gail Marshall (in photo) dedicate the Thoroughbred Racing Walk of Champions in Arcadia on September 27. Bronze horseshoe markers on the sidewalk celebrate the horses, owners, trainers, and jockeys who have made thoroughbred racing history. The Walk of Champions is around Huntington Drive and First Avenue.
The history of the peafowl from Indian and Java that live in Arcadia is presented. Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin imported three pairs from India in the 1880s. His daughter Anita Baldwin added some birds from Java. The peacock is official bird of Arcadia, is protected, and should not be fed. See also VF "Peacocks" for copy of article.
The Santa Anita Oaks Homeowners Association works closely with Gary Dorn whose late father Raymond Dorn was named agent in the deed allowing subdivision of the area. Article discussed deed restrictions on development that do not expire until 1985.
Charles Cooper continues his series "Memories of Arcadia" with a story about the Santa Anita Assembly Center for the Japanese, where at its height, it housed more than 18,000 people. Japanese had a long local history, dating back to workers on the Santa Anita Ranch, and local residents had the uncomfortable feeling of seeing friends behind the wire at the track.
"Stilleto Boy" wins Santa Anita Handicap for first Grade 1 victory. Jockey was Kent Desormeaux. ("Stilleto" is how it's spelled in the article.) Trainer was Ed Moger, Jr.
Santa Anita Park's Derby Day 5K race brings out over 5,500 runners, the largest turnout in the race's 20-year history. The 5K is a fundraiser, with approximately $10,000 raised for Arcadia Historical Museum, Arcadia High School and CARMA, an organization devoted to caring for retired horses.
A $3 million building project to increase stable capacity by 150 stalls is underway at Santa Anita Park. Completion, which is planned before the start of the Oak Tree meeting, will bring the total number of stalls to 2,100. The project is discussed in detail.