The Arcadia Historical Society’s 10th “History Lives Here” historical marker, profiling City founder Elias “Lucky” Baldwin, will be unveiled at 4 p.m. April 16.
A glimpse of a small portion of the next Historical Marker to be dedicated April 16,,,
The unveiling of the marker on the rose garden island separating Campus and Huntington Drives and Holly Avenue to the west of the Community Center will be in conjunction with the dedication of the City’s new statue of Baldwin commissioned and donated by great-great-great granddaughters Margaux Viera and Heather Gibson.
The “History Lives Here” markers are just one of the many regular activities and events created year-round by the Society. Earlier this month the Society’s quarterly member program featured the personal remembrances of a World War II prisoner of War survivor. Last week the Society opened a new exhibit that runs through April 30 at the Arcadia Public Library of Baldwin’s adobe home place and his trusted Chinese ranch hand Lem Kay. The Society will stage an auction of historical artifacts on April 26 at Arcadia 210 Self Storage, and a salute to longtime Society member Carol Libby at the next member meeting on either May 30 or June 13 at the Peacock Café in the Arboretum. The Baldwin Marker features little-seen photos and a history of the self-made man who came to Southern California in 1875 at the age 47 with $5 million in hand. He quickly bought the massive Rancho Santa Anita, where his third wife delivered his second daughter whom he named Anita. The ranch became a major producer of citrus, livestock, and prize-winning wines and brandies. Baldwin would also use his money and influence to direct the railroad through Arcadia to two new train stations, one of which was strategically positioned across the street from his elaborate Oakwood Hotel. And, of course, he developed his champion race horses and built the first Santa Anita Park horse race track at the western end of land used now for the Santa Anita golf course, just a little southeast of where this marker will be positioned.
The series of Historical Markers are part of the non-profit Society’s mission to create broader public awareness of noteworthy historical events, people, and landmarks in Arcadia. Since the first Marker was dedicated in October 2007, others have been dedicated at Santa Anita Park, the Arboretum, Arcadia Park, The Derby restaurant, in the Angeles National Forest, and several other historical locations in Arcadia. Another marker, depicting Baldwin’s Oakwood Hotel is being prepared as part of the new transit plaza being built near the Gold Line station scheduled to open in 2015.
The Society would like to thank the City of Arcadia for co-funding and installing many of the Markers.
Gene Glasco is president of the Arcadia Historical Society. Sandy Snider wrote and prepared the Lucky Baldwin marker, among several others. She and Carol Libby are members of the Society’s Historical Marker Committee, chaired by Scott Hettrick.