City with a Mission he San Gabriel Mission District was dedicated on July 30, 1 9 9 4 . Our histor- Tical walk is an important component of the Mission Distri c t . We begin our walk where the Los Angeles region began ove r 200 ye a rs ago, at the San Gabriel Mission. The tiles in our historic walk, created by 600 fo u rth grade students at local schools, will lead you to all of the interesting places that tell the story of San Gabriel — the b i rthplace of the Los Angeles Region.

Welcome to San Gabriel, a city dedicated to pres e r ving the culture, vision and ideals of our heritage.” Mission life in America reached its fullest development in Califor n i a , and in no other city is this more evi d e n t . When surrounding areas wer e still frontier lands, the Franciscan Fathers wer e engaged in founding a Mission; a Mission that would serve as a major catalyst in the growth of Southern Califor n i a . San Gabriel possesses a multi-faceted background – rich in history, cu l t u r e and beauty.The tone and style of the early Mission City has been sustained by a co m m unity atmosphere of spirit and pride, while pres e r ving it for the benefit and enjoyment of all. Join us on a walking tour to times and places of da ys past. Step into history in the San Gabriel Mission District where the Los Angeles region began over 200 years ago. Fol l o w in the footsteps of the Gabrielino-Tongva Indians and Spanish settlers and enjoy a glimpse of early California life. Delight in our culinary trea t s , and allow us to be you r hosts – discover San Gabriel! (The tile mur al depicted above is located at City Hall.A stylized replica of the fir st known painting of the Mission painted in 1832 by German- born Naturalist Fer dinand Deppe, the mur al was created by local artist George Robles, who also produced the tiles in the historic walk throughout the Mission Distric t . )

He r e, in the vicinity of this park and the Mission San Gabriel, stood the Gabrielino-Tongva town of Sibangna, a community of per- ha ps 150 or more men, women and children . The Gabrielino-Tongva wer e the indige- nous people occupying pres e n t - d a y Los Angeles County and Orange County.Am o n g the most sophisticated, complex and wealthiest people of Southern Califo r n i a ,t h ey included more than 5,000 people inhabiting towns and settlements from the foo t h i l l s to the coast, and beyond to Catalina and the Channel Islands. Excellent hunter-g a t h e r - ers and craftsmen, their seasonal ceremonies and religious beliefs promoted the wel - San fa r e of the community and strengthened its relationships with the supernatural wor l d s . During the 1700s and 1800s, ma n y Gabrielino-Tongva wer e incorporated into mis- sion life.The decline of traditional towns and loss of hunting and gathering area s , for ced the Gabrielino-Tongva to abandon their lifestyle and seek work throughout the reg i o n . The early infrastructure of the Los Angeles reg i o n , including the missions was built with their labor. Despite the dramatic changes in their lifestyle and culture, th e Ga b r i e l i n o - T ongva never left their homeland.Th e y have alwa ys been here.The park is Gabriel dedicated to the Gabrielino-Tongva and their descendents living in the San Gabriel Val l e y. The park expansion fea t u r es replicas of village structures and a dry stream cree k H I S TO R I C A L WA L K bed surrounded by boulders and species of trees and plants used for baske t s ,c l o t h i n g , food and medicine.The picnic area also includes a large concrete compass indicating di r ections that wer e important to the indigenous people. Another unique fea t u r e of the park expansion is the hand-painted 6’x18’ entrance tile mural created by local art i s t , Dixie Giering.The mural fea t u r es historically accurate and educational visuals depicting scenes of Gabrielino-Tongva lifes t y l e , including colorful flora and fauna. (E n j o y the out-of-doors while learning more about the Gabrie l i n o - To n g v a . Visit Smith Park located on Broa d w ay near the Mission Distric t . ) Top Bell: Cast by G. Ho l b r ook of Massachusetts, an app r entice of Paul FIRST BANK BUILDING pleted for the 1927 season, with stage and dressing rooms large enough to Re ver e. Soon after our incorporation as a city in 1913, this building accommodate the cast of 150 for the 4 1/2 hour prod u c t i o n . The exterior is Center row, le f t : The gift of a Russian sea Capt a i n , cast in Russia. was constructed for the Bank of San Gabriel, which was later patterned after the Mission San Antonio De Padua and the interior décor is a Center row, ce n t e r : also cast by G. Ho l b ro o k sold to California Bank. Since 1969, it has been used by the San blend of Spanish, Indian and Mexican influences. In the courty a r d on the north Center row, ri g h t : An “A ve Maria” bell cast in Spain Gabriel Fine Ar ts Association for art shows , wo r k s h o p s ,c l a s s e s , side are replicas of all 21 California Missions. Bottom row, le f t : La Gorda , was orde r ed from Mexico in 1830.A req u e s t and the display of art wo r k .( H o u r s : Tue s - S a t . 12-4 p.m . or by app o i n t m e n t . The Playhouse was acquired by the City in 1945, fulfilling McGroa rt y ’ s wish was filed at the time of the order asking that the bell be loud enough to be Ph o n e : (626) 282-1448) that it belong for ever to the people. He went on to become a two- t e r m he a r d for nine miles, thus reminding Los Angeles of a borrowed bell which they The San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce is located nearby at 620 East Santa Co n g re s s m a n , and was Poet Laureate of California from 1933 until his death in had not ret u r n e d . The bell was returned in 1930. Anita St. (Chamber open M-F 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m . , (626) 576-2525.) 19 4 4 . Bottom row, ri g h t : Second of the “A ve Maria” bells. The theater is now a modern facility that is the home of many outstanding Plaza Park is also the original site of the famous “Mission Play” which was OLD CITY HALL SITE pe r f orming arts grou p s , including the Music Theater of Southern Califor n i a pe r f ormed here in a wo o d - f r a m e d ,t i n - ro o fed building from 1912 through the A . J .C u n e o, the first mayor of San Gabriel, owned a two- s t o r y which has presented successful seasons of the Best of Broa d w a y since 1984. 1926 season. It was then moved to the new building, no w the Mission building on this site that was used for the City offices and jail (F or performance and ticket infor m a t i o n , call (626) 308-2868. For tours, ava i l - Playhouse. after the City was incorporated in 1913. It was later the site of able by app o i n t m e n t , call (626) 308-2865.) Pa n c h i t o ’ s Restaurant from 1956 to 1993. FORMER PLAYHOUSE GIFT SHOP SALCIDO STORE The Padillo Room, or i g i n a l l y the Gift Shop for the Playh o u s e , is No w the San Gabriel Parks & Recreation Dept., this building no w a Recreation Department facility and, along with the Gr ap e vine Room, is continuo u s l y in use for meetings, cl a s s e s , MISSION SAN GABRIEL ARCANGEL dates from 1915 and was the only General Store for miles social functions, and senior citizens’ activities. Founded in 1771, San Gabriel Mission is the 4th mission estab- aro u n d . The Salcido Store served residents of the area with basic necessities – farm implements, cl o t h i n g , and bags and bushels of lished in the Franciscan chain of 21 California Missions. Its bell GRAPEVINE ROOM to wer and outside stairway are ver y differ ent from the other foodstuffs whose aromas scented the whole store. La t e r , the building was used The Grape vine Room was built in recent years on the site of Mi s s i o n s , as is its construction of stone, brick and mortar – as a blacksmith’s shop with an outdoor for g e . In the 1950’s it was a Municipal the old Grape vine Inn, often refe r red to as the “b i r thplace of instead of adobe, and its Spanish-Moorish style of arch i t e c t u r e.Visit the Mission Co u r t building. While much altered , the original cast stone construction is still Ramona” because Helen Hunt Jackson began writing her famous Compound and see how life was lived so many years ago when people made visible on the south and east walls. book about the California Indians while staying at the hotel. Sh e their own soap and candles from tallow, leather goods from cattle hides, wi n e used the name of a local res i d e n t , Ramona Shorb (cousin of General George S. fr om their own grape s , and ever ything else they needed to survi v e so far from P a t t o n ,J r. ) , for the name of her heroi n e . an y source of supply. In introducing vines and orange trees to the area , as wel l as other trees and plants, the Franciscan padres began the agricultural industry in Southern Califor n i a . San Gabriel grew to be the “Pride of the Missions” and supplied many of the other Missions and settlements with the necessities of life from its lands which st r etched from the ocean to the mountains and east to the Riverside are a .T h i s is why San Gabriel is known as the “b i r thplace of the Los Angeles reg i o n . ” It was from San Gabriel Mission that 44 people in 11 families left on September CITY HALL 4, 1781 to found El Pueblo de la Reina de Los An g e l e s . The site of the present City Hall was donated to the City in Outside the Mission church door is El Camino Real Bell marking the King’s 1922 by Walter P.Tem p l e . His father,Francis Pliny Fiske Tem p l e , Hi g h w a y that linked all the Missions in Califor n i a . To the north is the Mission tr a veled by ship “A r ound the Horn” to California in 1841 to join Ce m e t e r y where members of many pioneer families are buried. (Mission open his brother who had opened the first mercantile store in Los 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p. m .d a i ly, except major holidays . For information and grou p An g e l e s . Francis later married Margarita Wor k m a n . Her father,Wi l l i a m to u r s , call (626) 457-3048.) Wor k m a n , organized with James Rowland the first wagon train to Southern Ca l i f ornia over the Santa Fe Tr a i l ,a rriving in 1841.The Tem p l e - W orkman fami- lies wer e invol v ed in much of the history and development of this are a ,i n c l u d- ing the founding of Temple City and donation of land for public use in many of the nearby town s . (Open M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m . , Tu 8:00 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.) HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION MUSEUM, The millstone near the City Hall steps commemorates the Chapman Mill, HAYES HOUSE AND OLD JAIL built nearby in 1823 by Joseph Chapm a n , a New Englander capt u r ed first by The MUSEUM opened at this site in 1991.The Historical pirates and then by the Spanish in Califor n i a . His skill at building dams and mills Association houses a collection of pictures and other res e a rc h OLD GRAPEVINE was invaluable to the Fathers here and at other Missions. ma t e r i a l s , as well as many artifacts which illustrate life in San The Old Grape vine holds a small segment of the original vine Gabriel through its long history. (Open Sat.-Sun., 1-4 p.m . Closed A u g u s t ,m a j o r whose trellised branches once cover ed 10,000 square fee t . It was ho l i d ay s . Phone (626) 308-3223 for information or to arrange tours.) a popular local gathering place where ref r eshments wer e served The HAYES HOUSE.This small Victorian House built in 1887 by George under the vine. St a r ted as a cutting from the “Mother Vine” at Fi n d l e y Bova r d (later Chancellor of USC) was purchased in 1893 by Milton the Mission, ma n y local vineya r ds began from cuttings of this vine.The San Scott Wi l s o n , whose family lived in it for the next 97 yea r s . Wilson was Jus t i c e Gabriel Wi n e r y was among the wor l d ’ s largest in the late 1800’s, until a blight of the Peace for San Gabriel Township so many wed dings took place in the par- wiped out the vineya r ds and oranges became the main agricultural crop of the lo r . In 1904, his daughter, Ma r y Letitia, ma r ried Edwin Hayes , who was the Ag e n t are a . Tod a y the park is once again a popular place for we dd i n g s ,p a rties and at the Southern Pacific Depot until his ret i r ement in 1941. He was also a mem- social gatherings. (F or information and res e r vations for the Padillo and ber of the first City Council in 1913.Their daughter, Ma r y Ruth Hayes (1907- Gr ap e vine Rooms, and for Grape vine Park, contact the Parks and Recrea t i o n 19 9 0 ) , was born in this house and lived here all her life. She was a teacher and De p a r tment at (626) 308-2875.) later District Library and Audio-Visual Coordinator in the San Gabriel School PLAZA PARK Di s t r i c t . Her will left the house and its contents to the Historical As s o c i a t i o n . In the center of the park is the Bicentennial Fountain built in The home reflects the lives of one family in San Gabriel for nearly 100 yea r s . 1976 to celebrate our nation’s 200th birth d a y. The JAIL A small stone milk house on the Wi l s o n - H a yes prop e r ty was The Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail comes used as the jail when Saturda y night in the taverns along Mission Drive got too th r ough San Gabriel. You will find plaques in Plaza Park marking wild and arrests wer e made by Judge Wi l s o n ’ s son, Deputy Sheriff George Lee his arr i v a l .O n e, at the east end, commemorates his 1774 exploratory trip Wi l s o n . Prisoners wer e held here until they could be taken in to the Los th r ough uncharted wilderness to discover a land route from Sonora, Me x i c o , to Angeles County Jail on Monday morning. It was later used as a playhouse by Ca l i fo r n i a . The plaque next to the South entrance door to the Mission marks ARCADE SHOPS Ma r y Ruth Hayes as a child and later as a study by her father after his ret i r e- City of San Gabriel me n t . the famous 1776 trek bringing over 200 settlers, the first to come over l a n d Built as the Temple Block, the arcades now shelter interes t i n g City Hall fr om Sonora, who went on to found the City of San Francisco. On the wes t shops and businesses. The corner building was the San Gabriel MISSION PLAYHOUSE side of the park is the Sister City plaque, shaded by Jacaranda tree s , which hon- Post Office in the 1920’s. A plaque commemorating the Jul y 30, 425 S. Mission Drive ors the friendship between San Gabriel and Celay a ,M e x i c o. Plaques dedicated 1994 dedication of the Mission District Project is located in fron t The Mission Playh o u s e , formerly the San Gabriel Civic Au d i t o r i u m , San Gabriel, CA 91776 to all veterans who served honorably and faithfully in the U.S . Armed Forc e s of the Ar cade Plaza. was built by John Steven McGroa r ty to present his epic “M i s s i o n Pl a y” when it outgrew its original building in Plaza Park.The play Te l e p h o n e :(626) 3 08 - 2 8 0 0 during wars, armed conflicts and peacetime are also located in Plaza Park. Near the Fine Ar ts Association on Mission Drive is the Ramona Museum of H o u r s :M o n . - Fri., 8:00 - 5:00pm The two most distinct fea t u r es of the Mission can be seen from the park. Ca l i f ornia History.The museum offers an eclectic collection of early Califor n i a told the story of the California Missions and the lives of the peo- The outside stairway leads to the choir loft.The Bell Tower holds six bells with ar tifacts and memorabilia. (Museum open Sat. 1 - 4 p.m . For information and ple around them. Beginning in 1912, it drew people from all over the world to Tue. 8:00 - 6:30pm long and interesting histories. gr oup tours, call (626) 289-0034.) San Gabriel for 20 years and 3,500 perfor m a n c e s . The new playhouse was com- ww w. s a n g a b r i e l c i t y. com