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.
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).
Charter Oak Tree -- This tree was named for its presumed resemblance to the historical Charter Oak in Connecticut. According to legend, Don San Antonio, a Mexican official, fled from the Americans during the California - U.S. War carrying a captured flag, important papers and some gold; with the Am…
Charter Oak Tree -- This tree was named for its presumed resemblance to the historical Charter Oak in Connecticut. According to legend, Don San Antonio, a Mexican official, fled from the Americans during the California - U.S. War carrying a captured flag, important papers and some gold; with the Americans in pursuit, he cached the valuables at the broad base of this great tree.
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.
Santa Anita Racetrack Coach -- Since the first running of the horses at the present Santa Anita Racetrack in December 1934, the spectators have enjoyed the pageantry of the circling of the track by this coach prior to "starting time".
Santa Anita Racetrack Coach -- Since the first running of the horses at the present Santa Anita Racetrack in December 1934, the spectators have enjoyed the pageantry of the circling of the track by this coach prior to "starting time".
Arcadia's First Racetrack -- Known locally as "The Old Baldwin Racetrack," Santa Anita Park opened December 7, 1907 at the site of today's Santa Anita Golf Course. This racetrack represented the realization of Lucky Baldwin's greatest ambition. "I desire no other monument," said Baldwin when the fi…
Arcadia's First Racetrack -- Known locally as "The Old Baldwin Racetrack," Santa Anita Park opened December 7, 1907 at the site of today's Santa Anita Golf Course. This racetrack represented the realization of Lucky Baldwin's greatest ambition. "I desire no other monument," said Baldwin when the first day's races at his new track had been run. "This is the greatest thing I have ever done, and I am satisfied." In 1909, horseracing was banned throughout the State. Santa Anita Park closed on April 17, 1909. In 1912, the grandstand burned.
Arcadia's Second City Library Building -- Located on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Wheeler Street, this "modern" library building, modeled after the Hill Avenue Branch of the Pasadena Public Library "because of its efficient floor arrangement, suitable size, and architectural good taste,…
Arcadia's Second City Library Building -- Located on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Wheeler Street, this "modern" library building, modeled after the Hill Avenue Branch of the Pasadena Public Library "because of its efficient floor arrangement, suitable size, and architectural good taste," opened its doors in April, 1930. With the addition, in 1954, of a spacious "children's wing" -- designed and equipped especially for the needs of young people -- this building served as Arcadia's library until April 1961, when the present library on the southwest corner of Duarte Road and Santa Anita Avenue was first dedicated.
Sierra Madre's First Library -- The deed which transferred title to this building's landsite, owned by Mr. Nathan Tarr, restricted it to library use. This building was razed in 1954, and the present library was constructed on the same grounds -- what is now 440 West Sierra Madre Boulevard.
Sierra Madre's First Library -- The deed which transferred title to this building's landsite, owned by Mr. Nathan Tarr, restricted it to library use. This building was razed in 1954, and the present library was constructed on the same grounds -- what is now 440 West Sierra Madre Boulevard.
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.
Hugo Reid Family -- This statue of the Hugo Reid family originally located in Arcadia County Park was moved to the exterior of the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum in 2003.
Hugo Reid Family -- This statue of the Hugo Reid family originally located in Arcadia County Park was moved to the exterior of the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum in 2003.
Arcadia Santa Fe Station -- Originally located at First Avenue and St. Joseph Street, the Arcadia Railroad Station was built in 1887 by the Santa Fe Railroad. This is the artist's conception of the station as it might have appeared in the early 1900s, complete with gables, turrets and cupolas. Th…
Arcadia Santa Fe Station -- Originally located at First Avenue and St. Joseph Street, the Arcadia Railroad Station was built in 1887 by the Santa Fe Railroad. This is the artist's conception of the station as it might have appeared in the early 1900s, complete with gables, turrets and cupolas. The wood-frame, three-room structure was built to provide passenger service to and from Los Angeles. In later years, it was used exclusively for freight. In 1971, the building was moved to the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, where it was restored.
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."