Introduction to Arcadia, California
The city of Arcadia is located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, California. The city is situated about 21 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley, just off of California State Highway 134. Other major thoroughfares surrounding the city include Interstates I-5, I-10, I-210, and I-605.
First settled in the mid-nineteenth century, Arcadia began to take shape in 1875 when real estate speculator Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin bought and developed a large area of land including the present site of the city. Incorporated in 1903, Arcadia began a period of growth which by the 1930s saw its small farms and chicken ranches give way to homes and numerous civic improvements. The post-World War II era ushered in a population and housing boom, which continued through the 1960s. Arcadia today remains true to its motto of "Community of Homes" by maintaining a healthy mix of quality economic development to complement its primarily residential nature.
Arcadia Points of Interest
The Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum is one of Arcadia's premiere cultural sites. Opened in 2001, the museum chronicles the city's development and includes Baldwin family treasures, photographs of bygone landmarks, period furnishings, and civic artifacts. The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a 127- acre historical site which serves as the summertime home of the California Philharmonic's Concerts on the Green. One of Arcadia's crown jewels is Santa Anita Park, a world class thoroughbred racing venue considered to be the best wintertime horse racing facility in the nation. Opened in 1934, Santa Anita is the oldest racetrack in Southern California, and is home to numerous prestigious races including both the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap.
