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Once Lucky Baldwin’s luxurious guest house, the Queen Anne Cottage has not been lived in since his death in 1909. After years of neglect it was restored and refurnished with period Victoriana and formally dedicated as a state historic landmark in 1954.

In the 1880s, Lucky Baldwin contracted with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe to build its line into Los Angeles across his Santa Anita property. A provision was included that all passenger trains stop at his station as a stimulant to buyers of the tracts of land he hoped to sell. The depot, built in 1890, was closed by Santa Fe in 1940 and stood neglected until 1967 when the Foothill Freeway was routed directly through the site. At this point “Save the Depot” became the rallying cry of the Arcadia Historical Society. A sum of over $30,000 was raised to move it — brick by brick — and rebuild it within the Arboretum’s Historical Preserve.

Spectacular Upper Lagoon waterfall is an inspiring site for meditation.

Among the art work in the gallery is this action-packed rendition of the Mt. Lowe electric railway, now abandoned. Mt. Lowe was named in honor of scientist and inventor Thaddeus S.C. Lowe, who conceived the idea of a railroad climbing the 5650-foot high mount.

Young string quartet players from Arcadia High School entertained guests at the Friday night dinner. Speaker Vince Foley told stories of filming movies and television shows, including Tarzan, Fantasy Island and The Road to Singapore. Vince retired in 1995 after 36 years with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. He has been a volunteer since his 18th birthday.