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.
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.
The Arcadia Historical Society Board of Directors recently honored 6 longtime members: Herb Goddard, David Hannah, Alice Slater, Barbara Regan, Nick Pokrajac and Loretta Platford.
The Arcadia Historical Society building was recently moved to its permanent location across from the Chamber of Commerce in Arcadia Park. The building was moved from 30 North Santa Anita Avenue to First Avenue just south of Huntington Drive.
Arcadia Historical Society dedicates its 9th "History Lives Here" historical marker at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, once the home of Arcadia founder, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, on October 2, near the front entrance.
Arcadia Historical Society goes dramatic. Board members are forming a repertoire group called "Arcadia History Lives" and will, upon request, perform live skits recreating characters from Arcadia's past. Board members in photo shown in costume, including Beverly Street as Alice Billings (first president of Arcadia Woman's Club).
The Arcadia Historical Society is launched on a membership drive as it works toward establishing a museum to house artifacts of historic significance to Arcadia's early days.
Arcadia Historical Society reenacts true local crime at a mystery dinner party, as a fundraiser. It took place at the gardens of Prince Erik Hall, where the historical society is located.
The Arcadia Historical Society should open before the end of this year. The museum's collection is being moved and cataloged. A walkway, featuring tiles costing $100 each, still needs to be constructed from the parking lot to the museum entrance.
The Arcadia Historical Society, which has half a garage full of artifacts, soon will have a building of its own, thanks to American Savings and Loan Association. When American moves to its new location on First Avenue, it will donate its temporary building at 30 North Santa Anita Avenue to the society.
Arcadia Police Explorer Joseph Aaron Arredondo receives Lt. Edward Ostashay Scholarship from Friends of Arcadia Historical Society. In photo are Mayor Peter Amundson, Beverly Street, Officer Danny Daryaie and Arredondo.
Arcadia’s Baldwin Lake makes history. A “History Lives Here” historical marker was dedicated at Baldwin Lake at the Los Angeles County Arboretum last Thursday. The marker was donated by Arcadia Historical Society.
Article discusses Arcadia Historical Society's search for a home for Anita Baldwin's piano as well as other artifacts. The piano, shipped around Cape Horn, is now located at Anoakia, Anita Baldwin's former home.
Birthday Murder Mystery dinner held by Arcadia Historical Society at Prince Erik Hall. First-ever Carol Libby Youth Scholarship Award earned by Arianna Togelang.
Echoes of hoofbeats: Thoroughbred Racing Walk of Champions to honor history of horse racing on September 27 at its grand opening at Huntington Drive and First Avenue in Arcadia. Sandy Snider and Gail Marshall, the masterminds behind the bronze sidewalk plaques, gave a talk at the new Arcadia Museum Education Center. See hard copy in VF Historical Society.
Ed Andersen of Arcadia Historical Society will present a program about Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin to the Arcadia Community Coordinating Council on March 2, 2020.