Travel Guide Arcadia

Arcadia was founded in 1903 by Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin, who became its first mayor. Under his influence, the city quickly became known for its 24-hour saloons and horse racing. After Baldwin's death in 1909, a ban on the sale of alcohol was passed and the city changed dramatically. An active real estate market developed and poultry farming became the most important activity. The first official city hall was erected in 1918 and Ross Field (a military balloon school) was established on part of the old Baldwin Racetrack. During the 1920s, enforcement of the Volstead Act's prohibition-enhancing provisions became a major task for the police as the number of chicken coops and garages used as moonshine distilleries continued to grow The population explosion began in the 1930s-40s. By 1960, the city's population had doubled. The now forbidden poultry farms gave way to rampant urbanization Two parallel alignments of Route 66 run east-west through Arcadia: Foothill Boulevard (1920-30 alignment) on the north side of Interstate 210, and Huntington Drive (1930-40 alignment) on the south side. The city is only worth a stop at the large 1934 Santa Anita Park racetrack (285 West Huntington Drive), one of the most beautiful in the world, and a possible visit to the Los Angeles County Arboretum, created in 1947 around historic buildings (301 North Baldwin Avenue).