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Pio
Pico Historical State Park
Following the Mexican War, Pio Pico, last Mexican Governor of California
acquired the 9,000 acre Rancho Paso de Bartolo. Pico built an adobe
home that was destroyed by the floods of 1883-1884. His second adobe
casa, now known as Pio Pico Mansion, represents a compromise between
Mexican and American cultures. While living here the ex-Govenor
was active in the development of an American California. Located
at 6003 Pioneer Blvd, at Whittier Blvd., State Historical Landmark
127, Pio Pico State Historic Park re-opened on September 20, 2003
after an extensive renovation of the grounds and structures on the
site. For information on days and hours of operation please call
(562)695-1217
El
Camino Real
The origin of El Camino Real :The Road of the King" dates back
to the founding of the Missions in California by the Padres. Northward
from San Diego the road passes through many intervening towns of
the present day, to San Luis Rey, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin, Orange,
Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, La Habra, Whittier and Pio Pico Mansion
to Los Angeles Plaza; then connecting with Sunset Boulevard and
the Cahuenga Pass to Ventura, Santa Barbara to San Francisco. An
original "El Camino Real" marker dating from the 1930'
s can be seen at Whittier's Civic Center.
Mt
Olive and Broadway Cemeteries (Founders Park)
Founders Memorial Park was once Whittier Cemetery, Mount Olive Cemetery
and Broadway Cemetery. The cemeteries had been abandoned in the
1930's. In 1968 the City of Whittier took advantage of legislation
allowing the acquisition of the property and created Founders Memorial
Park on the four acres of land. Grave stones were removed and two
monuments were erected that list the 2380 persons who were buried
there. A listing of the graves including a plot map of the cemeteries
are available at the City by appointment only.
Grave
of George Caralambo "Greek George"
The grave site of "Greek George" is State Historical Landmark
646 and is located in Founder's Memorial Park, Broadway at Gregory
Avenue. "Greek George" was a camel driver from Asia Minor
who came to the United States with the second load of camels purchased
by the War Department as an experiment to open a wagon road to Fort
Tejon from Fort Defiance, New Mexico. Because of the Civil War,
the experiment was abandoned. Greek George" became a naturalized
citizen in 1867 under the name George Allen. He built an adobe on
Santa Monica Boulevard.
Jonathan
Bailey House
Formerly known as "The Old Ranch House", the Bailey House
is still located at its original site at 13421 Camilla Street. The
Bailey House was built by Jacob Gerkens around 1868-1869 and is
the oldest building in the City. The property was the home of Whittier's
first settlers, Jonathan and Rebecca Bailey between 1887 and 1894.
The first "Friends" meetings were held on the front porch
of the house. The house was deeded to the City of Whittier in 1975
and is operated under the auspices of the Whittier Historical Society.
The Bailey House is on the Local Official Register of Historic Resources.
Guided Tours are available, call (562)945-3871 for more information.
Bailey
School House Bell
In 1888 school bonds in the amount of $8,000 were voted and the
Jonathan Bailey Grammar School was completed in 1889. When the second
Jonathan Bailey School building was razed in 1962-63 many people
sought to save Whittier's first school bell. Today the bell can
be seen at the rear entrance of City Hall where it rings nearly
everyday as children give it a good strong push. The plaque on the
monument reads "First Bell in Whittier - 1889 Hung in old Bailey
Street School -1926 re hung in new Bailey School on Hadley Street.
In early days this bell was rung on many civic and patriotic occasions.
Erected in Civic Center, 1963.
The
Whittier Historic Depot Transportation Center
Initial construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad Station began
in 1888, in 1891 the citizens of Whittier put up $42,000 to bring
a 6 mile Southern Pacific spur track from Los Nietos. Final construction
of the Victorian-style station was completed in 1892. In 1895, a
southern extension was added to the depot to provide fruit packing
space for the Whittier Fruit Exchange. It is one of only 4 remaining
1890's stations in the state of California. Restored then re-dedicated
in 2002 as the Historic Whittier Transit Depot, the station is used
by the City of Whittier as a Transportation Center and future transportation
museum. The Depot is on the Local, state and national Registers
of Historic Resources.
Fred
C. Nelles School
State Historical Landmark 947, was originally named "Reform
School for Juvenile Offenders" then "Whittier State School"
then "Whittier School of Trades and Agriculture" and is
now "Fred C. Nelles School" after the former superintendent
who served at the school between 1912-1927. The facility was originally
built on a total of 160 acres of land following the establishment
of an 1889 Act of the California Legislature authorizing the establishment
of a school for juvenile offenders. The school was laid out and
planted with fruit and shade trees, barns with corrals, poultry
and cow sheds. It was intended to be a "trade" school
where boys were trained and expected to hold jobs when they were
released. Girls at the school were taught household management including
cooking and sewing. Girls were transferred from the school in 1916
and shortly afterwards the mentally retarded were relocated as well.
Only boys have been in residence since that time. Dedicated by Governor
R. W. Waterman on February 12, 1890, the School began operations
on July 1, 1891. The school was closed down by the State of California
in 2004. The school is located at 11850 E. Whittier Boulevard.
Former
Whittier Citrus Association Packing House
Located at the corner of Penn Street and Whittier Boulevard is the
last remnant of the once-flourishing citrus industry in Whittier.
Built in 1902 and enlarged in 1904 it became one of the largest
packing plants in the State of California and included a main packing
house, lemon curing plant and an office building, The development
of the Citrus Association and packing houses was one of the main
economic bases of the area for many years. The main structure is
now used as an antiques mall. The Packing House is on the Local
Official Register of Historic Resources.
Nixon's
First Law Office (Bank Building)
The former First National Bank and Bank of America Building occupies
the site of the very first bank in Whittier (1895), and has been
the location of at least four banks. The current building, built
in 1928, is the best remaining example of Beaux Arts style in the
City. The building is of national significance as it was the site
of Richard M. Nixon's, 37th President of the United States of America,
first law office. Whittier was the boyhood home of the former President;
although born in Yorba Linda, CA, his family relocated to Whittier,
when he was 9 years old. In 1938 he served as the Deputy City Attorney
to the City of Whittier. A replica of President Nixon's office has
been re-created and is available to tour at the Whittier Historical
Museum. The site is on the Local Official Register of Historic Resources.
Cedar
of Lebanon - Harriet Strong
In 1867 Charles and Harriet Russell Strong purchased 320 acres of
land from the former Governor of California, Pio Pico. The property,
known as Rancho del Fuerte was planted with walnut trees, a crop
just coming into favor with California farmers, and Pampas grass.
Mrs. Strong invented a process for preserving Pampas Grass to be
used decoratively, mostly to overseas customers. When Charles Strong
died in 1883, Harriet assumed management of the Ranch and the business
of Pampas Grass took it to new heights. She became the first female
member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, she founded the Ebell
Club, she served as a Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic,
she spoke before Congress on Water Conservation, and she was one
of the first to advocate bringing Colorado River Water to Los Angeles.
Mrs. Strong was also instrumental in saving the Pio Pico Mansion.
In 1905 she started the Governor Pico Museum and Historical Society
that raised money for the acquisition and renovation of the site,
which was threatened for demolition by state road crews paving Whittier
Boulevard. In 1888 Mrs Strong planted a seedling of a Cedar of Lebanon
that she had shipped from the Holy land. It was planted on the site
of the first Strong house (11000 block of Howard Street). The tree
died in 2001 and was removed but the Whittier Historical Museum
has a slice of the trunk and the historcal marker that marked the
tree. The preserved portion of the Cedar of Lebanon tree and the
Strong House (private residence) are the City's remaining links
to this remarkable woman and her impact of the City of Whittier.
Paradox
Hybrid Walnut Tree
The most outstanding tree of Whittier among the more than 40,000
under the jurisdiction of the City's Parks Department is the Paradox
Hybrid Walnut Tree in Roadside Rest Park. Planted in 1907, by the
University of California Department of Agriculture (Experiment Station)
on land acquired by the State in 1886. The tree now has a spread
of 100 feet and is about 14 feet in circumference. It is a living
reminder of the once flourishing walnut industry in this part of
Southern California. It is a cross between an English Walnut and
Black Walnut, a vigorous fast-growing tree. In 1955 it was saved
through the efforts of the native Daughters of the Golden West,
Parlor 298, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, Whittier
Chapter. The Tree a National Landmark as well as designated State
Historical Landmark 681 in 1959 and on the Local Official Register
of Historic Resources.
Whittier
Historical Society Museum
The Whittier Historical Society was formerly organizes in 1970.
The Museum offers an archives room, on-going programs and tours.
The Society also operates the Bailey House. For more information
about the Museum and it's collections, please call the Museum at
(562)945-3871.
Site
of The Four Brick of Whittier
The site of the original Town Center of Whittier was located at
the corner of Greenleaf and Hadley Avenues. The Lindley Bldg was
the first to be constructed on the SW corner followed by the Harvey
Apartments on NE corner. The other two corners were built at the
same time in 1888 by C. W. Harvey for Moses Ricker and George Mason.
Mr. Mason demolished his building which occupied the site where
the church now stands. The building on the SE corner was demolished
prior to 1930. In 1913 C. W. Harvey doubled the size of the Harvey
Apartments and added italianate features before selling the property.
The remaining portions of these early structures were demolished
after the 1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake, the current Lindley
Building and Harvey Apartments were rebuilt using original bricks.
Whittier
City Hall
The City of Whittier broke ground on a new City Hall in 1953, construction
was completed 1954 and the new Civic Center, which by now included
a Police Building, was dedicated in 1955. The architect for both
City Hall and the Police building was William H. Harrison. Mr. Harrison
designed the poured concrete building using Arizona flagstone, aluminum
and glass on the exterior finish. The tall tower atop City Hall
adds height to the predominantly horizontal lines of the building.
A Notable feature of the interior is the "floating" cantilevered
stairway in the lobby. The walls in the main lobby are italian travertine
and maple paneling, the original flooring was a varigated black
terrazzo. Mr. Harrison also designed the Library and the peace memorial
on the front lawn near the corner of Penn Street and Painter Avenue.
City Hall is part of an 11 acre Civic Center that includes the City
Police Department (built 1955) and the Whittier Public Library (completed
1958).
Peace
Memorial
The Whittier Peace Memorial was dedicated by the citizens of the
Whittier area to the men who gave their lives in World War I, World
War II, Korea and Vietnam. The names of 157 men who were killed,
and two missing in action in Vietnam, are listed on three bronze
plaques. The fourth plaque contains the dedication and Whittier
Bicentennial logo. The sundial represents the world as a hollow
sphere with the equatorial band parallel to the equator. Parallel
to the axis of the earth and pointing to the North Star is the arrow,
or gnomon, it casts a shadow on the equatorial band indicating the
time and was designed to fit local time changes. Monies for the
Memorial were raised by individual contributions, from the sale
of needlepoint kits and from the Bicentennial Committee funds. The
memorial was designed by the architect William H. Harrison.
Historic
Residential District
Whittier has three Historic Residential Districts, Hadley/Greenleaf
District which is bounded By Greenleaf Avenue to the West, Broadway
Street to the North, Hadley Street to the South and Painter Avenue
to the East. The Central
Park District surrounds Central Park (Washington and Friends
Aves. run N/S and Hadley and Bailey Sts. run E/W) but extends at
points to Painter Avenue and below Bailey Street on both Washington
Ave. and Friends Ave. The third, and most recently formed district
is the College
Hills District. The College Hills District includes homes along
Worsham Dr., Hillside Lane, Philadelphia St., Ridge Road and ends
on the eastern side of Bailey St. For a complete list of contributing/non-contributing
properties, please contact the Secretary of the Historic Resources
Commission at (562)464-3380. Click on the links above to view district
maps.
Whittier
National Trust and Saving Bank
Built in 1932 as a replacement of a 1905 brick building, the Whittier
National Trust and Savings Bank was designed by Whittier resident
William H. Harrison in the Moderne style. The Bank's building committee
insisted that local businesses be used for construction whenever
possible, approximately 75% of the workers on the building were
from the Whittier area.
The
Garden Gate
Located at Lou Henry Hoover Park at Beverly at Norwalk
boulevards, The Garden Gate is a bronze sculpture inspired by the
women of Whittier created by artist Guy Wilson. The left door of
the gate is of Harriet Strong and her four children among the pampas
grass. The right door depicts Florence Maple Thornburgh peering
from behind hollyhocks. Both images are sculpted in bas-relief and
they are larger than life at approximately seven feet in height.
A child is standing in the opening of the gate inviting the viewer
to enter and is gazing upwards reading the histories of the women
of Whittier. This figure represents Lou Henry Hoover or a contemporary
child gaining inspiration from the many accomplishments of the women
of Whittier. The bronze gate is 9 feet high, 3 to 4 inches thick
and the whole sculpture is approximately 6 feet wide. Click
here to see pictures of the sculpture.
The
Barefoot Boy
Located on the western side of City Hall, The Barefoot Boy statue
was created by artist Tita Hupp and represents John Greenleaf Whittier’s
poem "The Barefoot Boy". This statue was completed for
Whittier’s Centennial celebration, which was in 1987 and is
part of the Art in Public Places program.
An inscription on the statue reads:
Blessings on thee, little man,
Barefoot boy, with cheek of tan!
With thy turned –up pantaloons,
And thy merry whistled tunes;
With thy red lip, redder still
Kissed by strawberries on the hill;
With the sunshine on thy face,
Trough thy torn brim’s jaunty grace;
From my heart I give thee joy, -
I once was a barefoot boy!
John
Greenleaf Whittier Sculpture
Located at Central Park and created by artist Christoph Rittershausen,
this statue represents the man Whittier was named after. John Greenleaf
Whittier was a famous poet, writer and newspaper editor who made
his home in Massachusetts. When the City was named after him, John
Greenleaf Whittier was too old and frail to make the trip from Massachusetts
and consequently, never had the opportunity to visit the town that
bears his name. This statue was also completed for Whittier’s
Centennial celebration, which was in 1987 and is part of the Art
in Public Places Program.
Welcome
Friends
This sculpture is located at the Quad (SE corner of Whittier Blvd
and Painter Ave.) and was created by artist Jill Casty and made
possible through the Art in Public Places
Program. This brilliantly colored, large but airy artwork represents
the sun rising over the Whittier hills, and the bright stylized
leaves suspended from curly green steel branches represent the many
and varied trees of Whittier. In researching the project, artist
Jill Casty said she observed that Whittier’s flag is a rainbow
"W", which helped to inspire the brightly hued color scheme
of the sculpture.
The
Arch
Located on the NE corner of Greenleaf Ave. and Whittier Blvd., this
tile mural represents the many things Whittier has to offer. Some
of the pictures included in the mural are the old orange groves,
the Liberty Bell, and City Hall. The mural also shows some of the
beautiful sights of Whittier. The mural was made possible through
the Art in Public Places program.
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