Landowner, businesswoman, and benefactress Arcadia Bandini de Stearns Baker

1 landowner, businesswoman, , benefactress

1.1 los angeles
1.2 santa monica

1.2.1 legacy

landowner, businesswoman, , benefactress

though married 2 anglo-american men , during lifetime california came under control of united states, de stearns baker reportedly never spoke english, rather did business in castilian spanish. thus, required interpreter; many years, husband abel stearns filled role. de stearns baker s choice continue speak native tongue links other elite california women rosalía vallejo, famously refused speak in english.[1]

los angeles

much of commercial life of city of los angeles, high society life, centered on abel , de stearns baker because of prominence of abel stearns warehouse, la casa de san pedro. warehouse operated 1 of 4 significant trading ports in west during time period , connected san pedro los angeles via stagecoach line. de stearns baker s name on of abel stearns investments alongside his, shared in wealth business partner in addition wife. after stearns death, de stearns baker ran businesses.

even when de stearns baker had moved santa monica, remained powerful presence in los angeles society , charity work. in 1900s, when in seventies , not involved new women s clubs of city, still key source of funds, in-kind donations, , society support club causes. de stearns baker s wealth , social status made formidable of elite california women, , worked los angeles club women on events yearly fiesta de las flores.

santa monica

the arcadia hotel in santa monica, named arcadia bandini de stearns baker

arcadia de stearns baker known godmother of santa monica , great benefactress contributions , vision formation , development of city. created original map city plan , layout, aesthetic vision crucial in structuring santa monica. donated great deal of land – example, city of santa monica palisades park; government form national home disabled veterans (now veterans administration); government create first experimental forestry station in united states; , schools, churches, , clubs (like bay city women s club).

in 1879, de stearns baker bought out husband colonel baker s land , business holdings , officially became business partner of john percival jones. in 1897, de stearns baker , jones founded santa monica land , water company, subdivided , developed 50,000 acres in west los angeles.

legacy

the grand hotel @ 1700 ocean avenue, santa monica pier, named arcadia hotel in honor of arcadia bandini de baker. opened doors in 1887, closed down , demolished in 1909.

on october 18, 1987, bronze bust of de stearns baker unveiled @ palisades park. created artist masahito sanae, plaque on front reads: dedicated/to/arcadia bandini de baker/1827-1912/for love , devotion santa monica and/generous contributions of land benefit/the people , government of city/by/the city of santa monica/bandidi family , friends/santa monica historical society/masahito sanae/sculptor/october 18, 1987.