Arcadia city council accepts gift of a bronze statue of Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, founder of Arcadia, from his descendant Margaux Viera. Article erroneously states that she is the granddaughter of Elias J. Baldwin. In her proposal to the City of Arcadia, she states that she is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Baldwin.
A statue of Arcadia city founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, has been proposed by his great-great-great granddaughter, Margaux Viera, of Pasadena, for placement in the rose garden next to Arcadia Community Center. City council will consider the issue tonight. City council must agree to provide a location for the proposed statue, purchase a pedestal, and provide any electrical, lighting, and landscaping deemed appropriate. (Article erroneously states that Margaux Viera is the great-great-granddaughter of Elias J. Baldwin. In her proposal to the City of Arcadia, she states that she is, in fact, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Baldwin.)
Arcadia city council agrees to accept gift statue of Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin. His great-great-great granddaughter, Margaux Viera, 34 of Pasadena, will commission a bronze statue for display next to Arcadia Community Center. The statue will be worth close to $60,000. The city will pay for pedestal, lighting and landscaping, up to $25,000.
Lucky Baldwin statue to be unveiled at Reverend Monsignor Gerald M. O'Keefe Rose Garden at Holly Avenue and Huntington Drive. Bronze sculpture commissioned, donated by city founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's descendants Margaux Gibson-Viera and Heather Gibson (Baldwin's great-great-great granddaughters). Statue was designed and made by artist Alfred Paredes. See also VF Statuary #20.
Lucky Baldwin statue dedicated. at Reverend Monsignor Gerald M. O'Keeffe Rose Garden at Holly Avenue and Huntington Drive. Bronze sculpture commissioned, donated by city founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's descendants Margaux Gibson-Viera and Heather Gibson (Baldwin's great-great-great granddaughters). Statue was designed and made by artist Alfred Paredes. See also VF Statuary #20.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Baldwin family push to revive Baldwin Lake. The 4-acre lake in the middle of the Arboretum stands polluted, filled with tons of mud and filth from years of urban runoff. Tony Zampiello, executive officer of the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, along with the county's Department of Parks and Recreation, have formed a task force with goal of dredging the old lake built by Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin in the late 19th century. Margaux Viera, Baldwin's great-great-great granddaughter, a member of the "Save Baldwin Lake" task force, says the shoreline around the lake is collapsing and eroding. See hard copy in VF "Arboretum."
Anita Baldwin statue to be unveiled at Le Méridien Hotel in Arcadia
The Anita May Baldwin statue at the Le Méridien Hotel will be unveiled on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at 11 a.m. Anita is the daughter of city founder, Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue will be featured on the opposite end of the Huntington Drive islands’ hotel property.
“We are very excited to be bringing Anita back to Arcadia,” said Mayor Sho Tay in a statement released by the city. “I would like to thank the Shen, Liu and Chen Families, Jeff Lee, the Dextra Baldwin McGonagle Foundation, Heather D. Gibson and Margaux L. Gibson, and the Arcadia Historical Society, for their generous donations.”
“On behalf of the Baldwin family, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Arcadia City Council, the Arcadia Historical Society, the Le Méridien Hotel and all those who have supported this effort to pay homage to my great-great grandmother, Anita May Baldwin,” said Margaux Gibson. “This magnificent statue of Anita will showcase a strong woman who was ahead of her time. I am proud to call Anita May Baldwin my great-great grandmother, and I am truly proud to be a part of this historic project.”
The Anita statue was sculpted by local artist and southern California native Alfred Paredes — who created the Lucky Baldwin statue on the corner of Huntington Drive and Holly Avenue — and is aptly named, “A Legacy of Charity” in honor of Anita’s contributions to life in early Arcadia and throughout California.
Woman ahead of her time honored. Anita May Baldwin statue to debut at Le Meridien Hotel. She was philanthropist, key figure in racetrack. The statue is named "A Legacy of Charity," by artist Alfred Paredes.
TV's Mario Lopez to host Lucky Baldwin Poker Tournament on June 10. It is a fundraiser to preserve the 1880s architecture of Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's home at the site of Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
Unveiling of Anita May Baldwin statue brings peace and beauty. Anita May Baldwin was dedicated down the road from the statue of her father, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue was unveiled yesterday at the official grand opening of the Le Meridien Hotel on Huntington Drive in Arcadia. The statue is called "A Legacy of Charity," made by artist Alfred Paredes.
Anita Baldwin seated on a camel in front of the Great Sphinx and one of the pyramids in Giza, near Cairo, Egypt. She is accompanied by Ray Knisley, her business manager, on another camel. They are assisted by three local camel handlers in native dress. Anita is dressed in black dress and black hat with veil.
Two women are seated on chairs with Edna Lenz standing directly behind them. Six other people are seen in background at dedication of Santa Anita Depot after it had been relocated to the Arboretum. Seated at left is Dextra Baldwin Hopper, great granddaughter of E. J. "Lucky" Baldwin (daughter of Baldwin M. Baldwin). Seated at right is Rozella Baldwin Gilmore, an illegitimate daughter of E. J. "Lucky" Baldwin. Her mother was Martha Agnes Fowler, who was acknowledged in Baldwin's will.
Anita Baldwin congratulating jockey Richards and trainer Handlen probably in 1935 or 1936. Floral piece appears to be in the shape of a peacock. Note the Maltese cross on front of jockey's trousers.
Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage has a permanent exhibit on Anita Baldwin. The daughter of Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin was a quiet woman of great compassion.
Clara Baldwin Stocker on left wearing a light colored dress with a wild pattern on the front skirt. She is holding two round items. Directly behind her is Walter McGinley. Others in the photo, one man and four women, are unidentified. They are standing in front of what appears to be Clara's railroad car.
July 22, 1932 p. 1; August 3, 1934 p. A-1; March 23, 1950 p. 3; August 24, 1944, p. 1; June 5, 1952 Section 2, p. 2; October 9, 1968 p. 2; March 23, 1950 p. 3 (partial contents of will); April 23, 1956, p. 1 (reminiscences); September 19, 1957 p. 5 (heirlooms in posession of nephew Jack Fawcett in Alabama)
July 22, 1932 p. 1; August 3, 1934 p. A-1; March 23, 1950 p. 3; August 24, 1944, p. 1; June 5, 1952 Section 2, p. 2; October 9, 1968 p. 2; March 23, 1950 p. 3 (partial contents of will); April 23, 1956, p. 1 (reminiscences); September 19, 1957 p. 5 (heirlooms in posession of nephew Jack Fawcett in Alabama)