Arcadia High School - Arcadian Yearbook (Arcadia, CA)

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Adminirtmfion RECORDED HISTORY of The area, where- in Arcadia now lies, began September 8, 1771, with The establishment of Mission San Gabriel Archangel by Fathers Angel Somera and Pedro Benito Camibon. Later, when the padres carved Their land into numerous ranchos, Padre Zal- videa in 1806 named The rancho, with The stream traversing it, Rancho Santa Anita. Santa Anita was not among The larger of The Mission's ranchos, its im- portance lay in its favored situation and its productivity. Decline in mission wealth began when in 1822 The Mexican government suc- ceeded Spain in California. By The mid- dle of The Mexican era in California, The Rancho Santa Anita became public land of The Mexican government. ln May, 1841, Hugo Reid became The first individual to hold an official land grant To Rancho Santa Anita. During The Two decades following The death of Hugo Reid, The Title To Rancho Santa Anita passed Through numerous hands, one of whom was Elias Jackson Lucky Baldwin, The founder of Arcadia. As a result of a petition requesting the incorporation of The CiTy of Arcadia which was presented To The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, an election was held on July 27, 1903, in The office of The Southern Pacific Railroad. With all Thirty-five votes favoring The incor- poration, The area generally known as The land around The Rancho Santa AniTa officially became The City of Arcadia. Arcadia of 1903 was a sprawling community of many square miles but with a paucity of population, shaded and charming under its Thousands of Trees but coated with dust from its roads, and appealing as a place for enjoyable home life. Following incorporation, The Los An- geles County Board of Supervisors auth- orized The establishment of The Arcadia City School District on August 3, 1903. The system was To provide The grammar school education for students living in Arcadia, Monrovia, Chapman, and Sierra Madre. School was held for The first Time in The newly formed city in a packing shed donated by Lucky Baldwin. The origi- nal shed used by The students is pictured on The preceding page. 'VV' A plaque commemorating the first school's site was dedicated in 1963 Officiating at ceremonies marking the site of Arcadia's first school are Mrs by the Historical Society and the Woman's Club. Michael Erickson, Women's Club President, Mrs. Helen Wyatt graduate ofthe second class, R. B. Retzer, and Mrs. Edna Lenz, representative of the Arcadia Historical Society.

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f 1f ',, M..-4 Aftired 'S in the mode of the year 1904, students of the first school pose for a formal picture in front of their packing shed schoolhouse SCHOOL OPENED for the first time in Arcadia in September of 1903 in a pack- ing shed donated by Lucky Baldwin, the founder of Arcadia. Located at the corner of Santa Anita and Falling Leaf, which is now Huntington Drive, The first little school had an enrollment for its first year of fifty-eight pupils. Some of the students had been transferred to the school from adjoining school districts. Having never heard of a school bus, some walked long distances from home to school with sunburn and dust a wholesome part of their formal educa- tion. They either trudged afoot or rode a pony or the family rig if they were for- tunate enough to own one. The shed remained in use as the only school in Arcadia for four years. Student enrollment for these years was recorded as the following: in 1904, 46 pupils, in 1905, 35 pupils, and in 1906, 42 pupils. A plaque now commemorates the site of the first school. The dedication serv- ices were held in celebration for Ar- cadia's sixtieth anniversary in Oct., 1963. Students who attended the school were on hand to help present the plaque.

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Civic-Minded Board M embem Ke? Pace With Growing Diftrict Nee Members of the Board of Education include: Dexter D. Jones, William O. Merritt, and Harold C. Lietz, seated, Dr. Robert I. Boyd and Dr. Antone W. Nisson, standing. DEDICATING THEMSELVES to the continue provement of the education system provide all Arcadia students, members of the Arc Board of Trustees have spent many hours w ing proposals and adopting policies which benefit young people in the district. Last fall, the Board of Education determ the amount of the school bond issue afte viewing studies made by a Citizens' Commi the school district administrative staff, and ious architectural firms. The bond issue, which passed by a 7 majority, alloted 53,750,000 for building site needs in the district through the l96 school year. Members of the board are elected for year terms and serve without remuneration a rotating basis, board members serve as cers of the group. This year William O. M served as president, Dexter D. Jones, vice dent, Harold C. Lietz, Secretary, Dr. Anton Nissan, and Dr. Robert l. Boyol, members. Canvassing absentee ballots from the Oct. I5 school bond election are Dr. A. W. Nisson, William O. Merritt, Dexter D. Jones and A. R. Coke, Chairman of Citizens School Committee. A two-thirds maiority is required for passage of a school bond issue. IO