Memorial Day CHLs - 5/26/2014 | Libi's California Adventure

What better way to spend our day than with another California Adventure? We decided to work a little bit more on Los Angeles County-- the off-the-beaten-path LA County.

After a harrowing (Ron's note: Heather thinks the drive on mountain roads is harrowing; I think it's exhilarating! I guess it was a good thing I was driving.), yet beautiful drive through the Angeles National Forest we arrived at the Chilao Visitor's Center and the site of the Old Short Cut (CHL 632).

This was the first ranger station built in California and the second in the nation (according to the Forestry website.) It was built around 1900 by Louie Newcomb and Phillip Begue who were early forestry employees.

The cabin was built along a train called the "Short Cut Canyon Trail" leading to its nickname.

This wasn't its original location, but it was moved here behind the visitors center to prevent vandalism.

As we drove the mountain roads we saw lots of beautiful spring flowers...

and the hauntingly beautiful burned out trees from the fires a few years ago.

Fortunately our driver (Ron) was able to stop at a few turnouts so I could get some photos of all this mountain loveliness!

A short and windy drive away we arrived at the LA Arboretum where we were greeted by one of Libi's favorite birds, the peacocks.

They were out in large numbers today, wailing at the top of their lungs and showing off their bright colors.

This boy even was kind enough to show me his backside-- something you don't see everyday.

Libi was thrilled to see a baby out with a peahen.

I guess, there are lots of families enjoying a day out at the arboretum.

Both of the sites inside the park revolve around this rather amazing man, E.J. ("Lucky") Baldwin. He is a truly important figure in Southern California history. After making his millions in shrewd business deals in San Francisco during the gold and silver booms, Lucky moved to Southern California around 1875 and bought the Rancho Santa Anita and eventually owned over 63,000 acres of land. He founded the towns of Arcadia, Monrovia, and eventually Baldwin Hills. He established the Santa Anita Racetrack and owned several winning horses. Like most wealthy men of the time, he was a philanderer who was married four times, divorced three, and was sued by many woman for reneging on a promise of marriage.

The reason we meet up with Lucky on this trip was to visit his entertainment house, E.J. Baldwin's Queen Anne Cottage (CHL 367).

The home was purely for showing off-- as evidenced by the fact that it doesn't have a kitchen. The meals were cooked in his nearby adobe (keep reading) and brought over.

This gorgeous building was designed by A.A. Bennett an architect from New York who had a long, illustrious career in California. He either designed or had a hand in the following structures: the State Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Golden Eagle Hotel, the Prisons at Folsom and San Quentin, as well as courthouses in Yolo, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties.

Another interesting side note--- Lucky's fourth wife (the one he didn't divorce) was the daughter of A.A. Bennett.

This home has been used in the movies and television many times since its refurbishment in the 1950's.

Perhaps the most recognizable is that this was the house from Fantasy Island-- "De plane, De plane!"

If you don't believe me-- look in the background of these promotional photos.

Our next Lucky Baldwin site was actually undergoing renovations, so we had to view it over and through a fence.

This is the Hugo Reid Adobe (CHL 368). Hugo Reid was the original owner of Rancho Santa Anita, he obtained it from the Mexican government in 1841.

This adobe was constructed in 1839-- I know the dates don't match up, but he began to build on this land as soon as he filed his petition for it and things took much longer back then.

E.J. Baldwin bought the structure in 1875 and lived there until his death.

He added on a wooden section to the original adobe, but we couldn't see any of it due to the renovations.

Another walk around Baldwin Lake in the Arboretum...

a few photos....

and we were off to the races, literally! Our next stop was Santa Anita Racetrack conveniently located right across the street from the Arboretum. This was the site of another Temporary Detention Camp for Japanese Americans-- Santa Anita Assembly Center (CHL 934).

They were having a race today, so we weren't able to get too close...

but these photos still give you the idea.

This detention center was the largest and longest occupied of any temporary camp. There were over 20,000 people interned for 217 days-- many of them slept in the horse stalls.

A quick 15 minutes away was the Glendora Bougainvillea (CHL 912).

These bushes were brought here by whaling ships in 1870.

They were planted in 1901 by R. H. Hamlin, who was a citrus grower. His wife suggested that he plant these bushes surrounding the orchard.

Now they are the largest growth of this plant in the U.S.!!

It is truly a spectacular site to see!

They grow up on massive palm trees and have grown up to 70 feet tall during their long history.

There are 25 of these plants stretching over two blocks.

The state sites that this is a perfect example of the much promoted idea of the early 20th century about Southern California being a paradise!

Heading further east we once again ascended into the Angeles National Forest to see the Pomona Water Power Plant (CHL 514).

This site is the birthplace of a long-distance transmission of alternating current at high voltage in California. Please don't ask me to explain this further... it is clear as mud to me.

This station was built in 1892 on San Antonio Creek (which is below the plaque). You can still hear the rushing water below as you stand on the vista point.

The company that built the plant was the San Antonio Light and Power Company organized by the President of Pomona College, Dr. Baldwin (I don't believe he is related to Lucky).