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History

Arcadia residents and visitors will enjoy a new series of Historical Markers around town showcasing the city’s most notable existing and former landmarks. In late 2007, the Arcadia Historical Society presented the first of this new series of markers at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of First Avenue School during a gala Centennial Celebration (see photo: Arcadia Historical Society president Carol Libby, left, and First Avenue Middle School principal Dr. Beverly Klatt; courtesy of Arcadia Historical Museum). “History Lives Here” Marker #1, featuring photos and descriptions of notable changes and events at the school, will be prominently placed in front of the school this year as part of the major improvement project being undertaken. Two more markers are being completed and readied for installation this year. One will be installed at the northwest corner of Huntington Drive and First Avenue to mark the location of Arcadia’s grand, first official City Hall building. The other will be at Los Angeles County’s Arcadia Park, noting the numerous uses of the centrally located property over the years, including city founder “Lucky” Baldwin’s original horse track in 1907 and the World War I military balloon school at Ross Field. The Historical Society, which also presents certificates and plaques to sites of historical and cultural significance, such as Taco Lita in celebration of its 40th anniversary in 2007, is considering additional numbered markers and eventually the creation of a self-guided walking/riding tour of Arcadia’s vibrant history.

Did You Know…

That: Santa Anita Avenue was called “Double Drive,” not Santa Anita Avenue, for many years because of its two-way traffic divided by a wide median that ran from Live Oak Avenue to the mouth of Santa Anita Canyon? Horses, bicyclers, walkers, hikers and runners used the grass-covered center median as a pathway to the canyon at the far north end of the avenue. Trees planted in Baldwin’s era grew to great heights and became dangerous during wind storms. The eucalyptus and pepper tree combination was the original planting pattern for almost 50 years.

That: Arcadia’s second mayor, Hiram A. Unruh (1909 - 1914), was the one who brought the seeds for the trees from San Francisco in a handbag, and he was responsible for the palm, pepper and eucalyptus trees. In an interview on July 21, 1911, Mr. Unruh said he was proud of the progressive and prosperous city, of its 1,500 citizens who had taxes less than any city in California with no bonded indebtedness, and that every dollar of money raised from taxes was applied for the betterment of roads. It was Unruh who laid out Arcadia into town lots.

That: The land that is now Santa Anita Golf Course, Arcadia Park, Community Center Complex and Museum was once the site of Lucky Baldwin’s first thoroughbred racetrack? In 1909 the State of California banned horse racing, and the track was closed. Anita Baldwin sold the land so that it could become a school for training soldiers to operate hydrogen-filled observation balloons. The field was known as Ross Field. During its few years of operation during World War I, there were more soldiers stationed at the field than there were Arcadia residents.

That: Arcadia was once a sprawling town that was called an insignificant mud hole with few inhabitants, and residents hesitated to mention where they lived or call Arcadia their home? Arcadia’s 12-square-mile area, or about 8,000 acres, has changed a lot over almost 100 years and its image has changed - significantly.

That: In 1911, Arcadia was proud of its fine school, excellent hotel (the Oakwood), church, sabbath schools, newspaper, large electric plant, blacksmith shop, livery and transfer, store and two refreshment resorts?

That: In the 1930s many homes were lacking the sophisticated landscaping that is expected today? During the ‘30s, The Great Depression affected most families, and the thrust was on survival. The City of Arcadia made 40 acres of land available for community gardens. It was land that was part of the Stocker Acres, located south of Duarte Road between Holly Avenue and Santa Anita Avenue. Water for irrigation was available free of charge.

That: For a town of about 1,200 residents in 1913, it had a library - a branch of the Los Angeles County Library System? A group of women known as the “Cooperative Arcadians” secured this service for the residents of the city. They continued to work for the betterment of the community, leading the way toward the establishment of a Board of Trade, the forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce. These women eventually formed the Arcadia Woman’s Club.

That: In Arcadia’s early years, when the fire department was manned by volunteers, one could be charged for putting out the fire? If the call for help came from a residence west of Baldwin Avenue, assistance could be refused or a charge of $6 per volunteer might be assessed.

That: An old round brick reservoir with monitoring station was located at 812 West Duarte Road for many years? The First Church of Christian Science transformed it into a sanctuary and used it as such until it was demolished in 1967. The Vons Pavilions Supermarket and shopping center were built in its place.