THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY

Liz Thompson from Arcadia and an eight-year docent for the Huntington Library in San Marino presented an interesting and excellent program on Henry and Arabella Huntington. The flair of the Huntington’s background caught us all and enjoyed hearing about this illustrious and wealthy family.

Henry E was born in Oneonta, NY in 1850 and was the middle child of seven children.  He was an avid reader and his first job netted him $8.50.  At 20 years of age he wanted to become independent and he moved to New York in 1872 to work for his uncle Colis P. Huntington. 

Colis became Henry’s mentor and eventually having learned the railroad business and the other financial interests, Colis, one of the owners of Central Pacific Railroad made Henry the manager of his affairs.  This led him west to San Francisco; then, in 1902, he moved his business operations to Los Angeles.

Arabella Huntington was born in1850 in Richmond, VA.  She had married and had a son Archer.  When she married Colis in 1886 he adopted her son.  An interesting side fact is that the Tiffany’s store in New York has a plaque on the building stating that Arabella Huntington had once lived there.  Colis died in 1900 and left 1/3 of his estate to Henry and 2/3’s to Arabella.  Thirteen years later she married Henry Huntington and that was somewhat a scandal as she was his aunt by marriage.  Arabella was known as the richest woman in the world.

Henry always felt that Los Angeles would be a major city and that someone would or should develop Southern California.  He thought whoever did this would certainly one day be a very wealthy person.  He did not know at the time that it would be him!

In his travels he stayed in San Marino.  At that time the only business in the area was
The San Gabriel Winery.

He loved Southern California.

Henry bought right next door to George Patton and built Rancho San Marino.  He and Arabella called it their “ranch.”  Actually from that point on you could say he created Southern California.  His real estate holdings were practically all Southern California.  His holdings were as far eastc as San Bernardino, south to the ocean and west to Los Angeles.

He had to bring people and business to the area to develop the future cities.  He knew the
railroad business so he developed railroads to the major areas of his holdings.  He founded Pacific Electric, and the Red Car Line.  Lido Isle today, was once called Huntington Isle.  There is Huntington Beach, Huntington Drive right here in Arcadia, and Huntington Hospital.  He bought the Wentworth Hotel which was adjacent to “The Ranch” and it became The Huntington Hotel, and then The Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel and since 2007 it is The Langham Huntington Hotel located really in Pasadena.

He also developed gas lines and brought gas into the area.  He started Edison Electric.  On the L.A. Times Newspaper building his name is on a plaque, as he owned that building.  There is so much more to his story and the making of Southern California 

In 1924 he and Arabella established a trust to open to the public in 1928 the Library and Mansion and the many gardens that they had created together.  They wanted the public to come and enjoy the many wonderful collections of art and books and the pavilions of gardens that they had established.

Arabella died In New York in 1924 and Henry died in 1927 in San Marino.

The Huntington today is a non-profit organization.  Over 500,000 thousand visitors per year come to enjoy the beautiful gardens and to view the many original pieces of art and book collections.  On site there is a cafeteria and having tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room has been a delight for many.

The first Thursday of every month is free admission.  You must call for a reservation.