Arcadia's new city government first formed in 1903 and its first meeting took place at Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's Oakwood Hotel, located at First Avenue and Santa Clara Road. Baldwin's hotel featured gambling and fine dining along with city government. The Oakwood Hotel burned down in 1911, and the city government moved to the McCoy Building at First Avenue and St. Joseph Street. Two years later, City Hall moved across the street to the Hibbard Building. In 1917, the first building was constructed as a City Hall at Huntington Drive and Second Avenue (?). A two-story colonial building was built for $18,000. This City Hall opened on July 13, 1918. City Hall moved in 1949 to a 13-acre parcel between Huntington Drive and the Pacific Electric railroad tracks.
Looking west toward City Hall on NW corner of First Avenue and Huntington Drive with extensive view north on First. Thirteen people stand on corner in front of City Hall. They are: seated by Fire House door, Jim Nellis. Standing L-R: George Ackerman, City Treasurer; Louis Altona, Building inspector; behind him with hat possibly Judge Horlack; Grady Pardue, police; behind him with hat Les Talley, Assistant City Engineer; Gladys Randall Pelky, Water Dept. Clerk. Behind her with cap, not identified. Next A. N. Coberly, Police Chief; Florence Shaver, Assistant City Clerk; Dick Cutter (not City employee); Bernice Hinman (not City employee); Anist Mussachia, Fire Dept. Two other men and lady not identified. Part of panorama, ID#s 916-921.
Looking west on Huntington Drive from intersection at First Avenue. Corner of City Hall shows on right side of photo. Two people standing are: George Ackerman, City Treasurer; and Louis Altona Building inspector. Building on north side of Huntington Drive with square tower, is Community Presbyterian Church. Service station is opposite City Hall. Part of panorama, ID#s 916-921.
View looking north from intersection of Huntington Drive and First Avenue. Old City Hall is on the NW corner with quite a bit of ivy growing on the walls. There is a Standard Oil gas station on the SE corner. There is a stop sign in the middle of First Avenue.
View east on Huntington Drive from intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive. Community Church on NE corner was moved in 1934 to S. First Street and became Arcadia Presbyterian Church. Two storied building on NW corner was City Hall. Large sign on south side may say: Arcadia Pharmacy.
Thrifty Drug Store building at NW corner of Huntington Drive and First Avenue. There are no identifying signs on the building. The signs were removed after the store closed. Former site of first City Hall.
Three prints of Arcadia's city hall, two of which are taken from slightly different angles but apparently on the same day. There are two copies of one of the photos. Originally built in 1918, it was on the NW corner of Huntington Drive and First Avenue. A photo from a similar angle in 1924 shows ivy growing all the way to the roof. In these photos, the ivy is half way up the outer wall. In one of the prints, a car is seen just entering the photo from the right.
Huntington Drive looking west from near intersection of First Avenue. On NW corner is vine-covered City Hall. Open roadster has just made a left turn and is going south on First. There is a moving picture theater mid-way along street on south side with large banner advertising Charles Laughton Film. This photo belongs to the Huntington Library. It is shown here for research only.
The City Council is facing the need to either refurbish and enlarge the existing Council Chambers or to build a new building. the second alternative seem the most likely, as the space vacated in the present City Hall could be used for crowded city departments.
View from above Santa Anita Race Track parking lot toward City Hall on Huntington Drive at the time of construction of Police Facility and additional offices at City Hall.
Arcadia City Council members in a decorated Hupmobile Touring Car parked on Huntington Drive next to City Hall. Behind is a fire truck, also decorated, with 10 firemen on the truck or near by. The man at the wheel of the fire truck is Jim Nellis. The Councilmen are: Rear seats,L-R: Ferd E. Gram; Arthur N. Multer; and Charles Hawk. Front seat,L-R: Samuel L. Wheeler; John T. Joyce, the Hupmobile Dealer. Fifth member of Council, John Granville was not present. Seated at the base of the pillar of City Hall is Adrian Winkler and standing beside him is George Newton. The vehicles are on their way to dedication of new concrete span over Santa Anita Wash.
4th Annual Downtown Arcadia Patriotic Festival, an Independence Day celebration, takes place on First Avenue between Bonita Street and Diamond Street, Sunday, July 1, 5-9 PM.
Three people standing behind small table that has large bouquet of roses on it. Left to right: ?, Mayor A.N. Multer (1926-1930), and Gladys Randall, City Clerk. We believe this identification is correct, but lady on left could be Gladys Randall. May have been taken outside one entrance to City Hall at corner of First Avenue and Huntington Drive.
Lower Arcadia City Hall walkway that leads to the upper part of City Hall. Notice no murals on the walls, they have not been uncovered yet. 240 West Huntington Drive. Photograph by Terry Miller.