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Published by the San Marino Historical Society The San Marino Historical Society The Michael White Adobe Post Office Box 80222 San Marino, California 91118-8222 Tel. 626-796-6023 SPRING 2003 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SAN MARINO HISTORICAL SOCIENTY PROUDLY PRESENTS Dear Members: “From Ranch to Riches: This year marks the 100th anniversary of Henry Huntington and Life in San Marino” the purchase of the San Marino Ranch by Henry by Dan Lewis Edwards Huntington. The ranch had been es- “I tell you, Hertrich, I have seen no place as nice as tablished in 1877 by James De Barth Shorb and the Ranch,” Henry Huntington wrote to his superin- his wife “Sue” Wilson and named San Marino, tendant William Hertrich in October 1913 while on after the Shorb farm in Emmitsburg, Maryland, his honeymoon in Paris, shortly after he had played which had itself been named after the Republic a key role in the incorporation of San Marino. The of San Marino in Italy. presence of Henry Huntington in Southern Califor- As a tribute to this special year, we are fea- nia had a tremendous impact on the future of the turing Mr. Dan Lewis of the Huntington Library in region. Transportation systems, real estate, electric our next program. He will explain the transition power and many other elements of life in Southern California were affected by his presence. Dan from The Ranch in 1903 to the city in 1913. Lewis’ talk will discuss the central role of Hunting- (See announcement to the right.) ton in the founding of San Marino in 1913, and will This year is also special because it’s the detail Huntington’s life on “the ranch” during the first 90th year of our City’s incorporation and the 30th quarter of the twentieth century. He will also dis- anniversary of the founding of our Historical So- cuss Huntington’s vital role in the development of ciety. More on that as the year progresses. Southern California. Our hopes of occupying the Thurnher House in Lady Park in time to exhibit it this sum- mer have been dampened by delays in the nec- essary repairs. Late fall appears to be our cur- rent target. Thanks to all of you volunteers for your patience. Look on page two (2) for a quick glimpse of our recent and current activities. Dan Lewis Thursday, May 22, 2003, 7:30 P.M. Paul Crowley Southwestern Academy President 2800 Monterey Road, San Marino Public Invited - Admission is Free San Marino Historical Society HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS Officers 2002-2003 *President Paul Crowley SCHOLARSHIPS *VP, Membership Bill Ferry In June, we will present Scholarship Certificates *VP, Programs Ave Maria Bortz and checks to the outstanding history students at *Treasurer Greg Thompson *Corresponding Secretary Marlene Elliott both San Marino High School and Southwestern *Recording Secretary Emile Ferry Academy. The awards will be made at their re- *Parliamentarian Marilyn Peck spective campus assemblies. *Librarian Judy Carter *Historians Kenneth Veronda Peggy Winkler PATTON HOUSE Newsletter Chris Datwyler On April 25th, we participated with the City Coun- Gene Platz cil in a ceremony at the Patton House “Lake Vine- Curator, White Adobe James Elliott City Representative Betty Brown, Vice-Mayor yard II” on Patton Court. We presented a certifi- City Liaison Eugene Dryden cate to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kiang for their Docents Peggy Winkler dedication to the preservation of this 1910 house, Communications Carolyn Holmstrom Stoneman Mural Marilyn Peck in which our first council meeting was held in Social Katy Benton, Dorothy Ohlson 1913. Advisory Ben Salvaty Shahen Hairapetian Historical Collections and Architectural Survey John Holmstrom, Sander Peck, Marilyn Peck, Gene Platz Adobe Restoration and Preservation Paul Crowley, Eugene Dryden, James Elliott Assistants (General) MEMORIAL DAY Vera Wrobel, Sander Peck, Laurie Barlow, Bob Almanza, On Monday, May 26th we will cooperate with the Graziella Almanza City of San Marino in the 3rd annual service, in Scholarship Committee honor of the fallen veterans of our city and coun- Ave Bortz, Paul Crowley try. The ceremony will be at Lacy Park Flagpole at 9:00am. Shirts and Totes Marilyn Peck Docents Graziella Almanza, Katy Benton, Mary Payne, Lillian Campbell, Beth Yale, Dorothy Ohlson, Veronica Palma- Romero, Vera Wrobel, Sandy Morris, Marilyn Peck, Peggy Winkler, Ave Maria Bortz, Jim Elliott, Bea Hutter, Carolyn Holmstrom *Board Officers ROSE ARBOR Society Presidents (1974-2002) In late May (probably the 23rd) we will participate Midge Sherwood ........................1974 in a city ceremony rededicating the newly re- Mary Smith ................................1976 Jack Sherwood ..........................1978 vamped Rose Arbor in Lacy Park. Built in 1928, Ed Ford ....................................1980 with each post dedicated to a San Marino family, Graziella Almanza ......................1982 it’s truly a historical landmark. La Verne Smith ..........................1985 Jeanne Imler .............................1989 Gary Fleming .............................1991 Lillian Campbell .........................1993 Marilyn Peck .............................1995 Paul Crowley .......................................1999 Page 2 San Marino Community Church History Founded 1940 by Jeanne Cornwell Original research by Betty Thomas Carriel, for the 50th Anniversary, further editing by Patty Ann Aurand. L.A. Times photo courtesy of Sally Cole In the summer of 1939, a group of San Duarte.) Marino women began meeting in various homes With World War II looming on the horizon, for prayer, Bible Study and fellowship. The at- there was no hope of trying to build a facility, and tended churches in the surrounding communities increasing numbers outgrew Southwestern Mili- because the attitude of the city government was tary Academy, so the congregation moved to that the town should be for homes and schools 924 Huntington Drive, a former bank building. only. On June 28, 1940, Twenty-six people met This Chapel had an attic, which was immediately at Joy’s Inn to discuss a need for a Protestant claimed by the high school group, who called church locally, and on June 24, the City Council their space “The Chattic”. That name was later granted permission for a Community Church to to be attached to the very large high school choir meet at Southwestern Military at SMCC, directed by Ken Academy. On September 15, White, a long time teacher, then the first service was held, with Principal, of Huntington Jr. High. a congregation of 108 adults and children. On December Dr. Baker was invited to be- 12, the Community Church come Pastor of the new church, Women organization began, and arrived with his family in and with their husbands, the 1941, before the move to Hunt- members went about search- ington Drive. He immediately ing for ways and means to set forth to help the fledgling San Marino Community Church build a church. congregation grow and make December 17, 1948 plans for a permanent church. January 21, 1941 a Com- Los Angeles Times munity Church was indeed organized, with 77 The Women’s Association kept Charter Members. Dr. P. Martin Baker, chair of fund-raising, and hopes were high, all through the Los Angeles area Interfaith Comity Council, the war years until 1945, when at last, the prop- made a survey of the new congregation to see erty on Virginia Road saw the beginning of a which denomination they would prefer, since church campus. The Board of Trustees deter- there were 23 represented. Presbyterian re- mined that nothing would be started until the ceived the most votes, so the official name be- cash was in hand, so at that time, Unit 1 was came the San Marino Community Church – ready to be built: church offices, upstairs class- Presbyterian. (In 2003, it is still very much a rooms, a sacristy, kitchen, and Fellowship Hall. “Community “ church, because many of the con- (A surprise addition was to be a 75 seat Christ gregation are from surrounding cities, including Chapel, a fully funded gift from Mrs. Milton Stew- Arcadia, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Altadena, art of Arcadia, who was afraid there would never Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Bradbury and be a sanctuary appropriate for weddings or me- morial services. O ye of little faith!) A third, and final location at last! Community Church Pastors, 1941-Present A groundbreaking ceremony on Septem- ber 8, 1945, was opened by a procession includ- Dr. P. Martin Baker ···························1/26/41-8/15/51 ing Gene Dryden, later Mayor, wearing his Boy Dr. Frederick W. Cropp ·····················1/1/52-1/1/67 Dr. Robert W. McClellan ···················9/15/67-6/24/73 Scout uniform, and eventually playing reveille Rev. Patrick J. Thyne ························7/1/74-3/29/81 before the shovels hit the dirt. The church mem- Dr. Dennis Denning ···························9/1/82-9/30/86 Dr. George F. Pope ··························10/1/89-Present (Continued on page 4) Page 3 Community Church, Continued from page 3 bers were able to move in on September 7, gage so that work could begin on the rest of the 1947, with worship taking place in the Fellowship buildings. At this time, William Hertrich, curator Hall. of the Huntington Botanic Gardens, a church On a post war trip to Rome, Elizabeth and member, oversaw the planting of two redwood Lester Luhnow acquired a mosaic from the Vati- trees, near Virginia Road sidewalk. Four more can workshop, which was a painting they had were planted in back of the current location of admired from the Vatican collection. It depicts Christ Chapel. John, Peter, James and Thomas at the Day of On March 6, 1949, a ceremony of ground- Pentecost, and is made of porcelain mosaic, a breaking drew 700 watchers, and shovels of dirt process no longer done. The Luhnow’s knew were lifted at the site of the Sanctuary and the that no painting could survive placement outside, spot where the Chapel was to be moved.

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