As part of Arcadia's centennial, the city is considering putting up historical markers around town as reminders of past people and events that have shaped Arcadia. There has been $12,000 in centennial funds allocated for the program and a tentative list of some 30 sites presented to Arcadia City Council. Some potential marker locations are given.
Gilb Museum of Arcadia History will spotlight Beacon Media photographer Terry Miller's 30+ year career in photojournalism, on exhibit January 17 through March 14.
Historical information on Baldwin Lake, the four-acre body of water that adjoins the Queen Anne Cottage in the historical section of the Los Angeles County Arboretum, is presented. The history of lake extends from time of the Native Americans (they called their village Aleupkigna), to Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's ranch in 1873, to the movies and television shows in which it has appeared. Baldwin Lake played host to movie stars Johnny Weismuller, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. The lake has appeared in Safari, Roots, and Fantasy Island. See also VF "Arboretum" for hard copy of article.
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.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Arcadia had a reputation as a poultry raising community. There were many poultry ranchers in Arcadia, including a Denmark royal family member named Prince Eric, cousin of the King of Denmark.
Mayor Bob Harbicht will host "Speaking of Arcadia" at the Arcadia Historical Museum and will have a roundtable discussion with 5 people who lived here when Huntington Drive was two lanes and orange groves covered most of the city. "Speak of Arcadia" airs on cable channel 20.
This article describes Arcadia history at a glance, starting from 1771, when Shoshonean Indians occupied the area of today's Arcadia, to April, 1977, when the new City Council Chambers that cost $903,000 was dedicated.