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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