The Hastings Ranch, an area in the northeastern part of Pasadena, is a part of the original Santa Anita Rancho and has an interesting story.
Charles Cook Hastings was a ‘49er, who lost out mining for gold, but made a fortune by selling supplies to miners. When Hastings was in the area in 1887, he purchased nearly 1,100 acres from Louis Bradbury. The portion he purchased had been a part of the A. B. Chapman Ranch, and he named the ranch, Alta Mesa. He died in 1884 and his son, Charles Houston Hastings, took over the ranch.
Charles H. had a love of fine horses. His favorite was the English Hackney. At one time he owned 100 of them. A Hastings entry was regularly shown in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. In 1893, it was said that Charles paid $20,000 for a choice chestnut English Hackney stallion.
Charles lived on the estate and in the mansion until 1928 when the mansion burned. The property fell into a decline. After Charles’ death in 1942, it was sold on a high bid of $1,173,000 to a builder in 1945.
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Carol Libby and Karen Hou
Carol Libby & Karen Hou
Arcadia Historical Society