Monday May 19, 2014 7:00 p.m.
In the spring of 1913, the city of San Marino incorporated, partly to avoid being taken over by a neighboring town with higher property taxes. In 1914, one year later, what was going on? How was the new little city working? What was going on in the 48 United States? KEN VERONDA, Headmaster of Southwestern Academy, will entertain one and all with a historical lecture on this era at Crowell Public Library Monday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. Ken will impart the issues and perspectives of that day including the problems with the schoolhouse, Alhambra’s outrageous charges for their services here, and the infestations of rats throughout the orange groves and farms. Water had started flowing into the empty San Fernando Valley and the county was nearing a half-million people. Pasadena’s streets were congested with motor cars, and their odorous exhaust was fouling San Marino’s air. Some fine new homes were being constructed on the golf course along the city’s northern border, though many feared they will only add to the crowded valley. There were reports of an increasing threat of war with Mexico and the son of the town’s board president was preparing to fight. European nations were bickering again, but fortunately the U.S. was far from being involved.
Ken Veronda holds degrees in history from Stanford University. He is a lifelong member of the community and is a past president of Rotary Club of San Marino and the San Marino City Club. He is a sought-after speaker on the history of the San Gabriel Valley.
Come hear what’s happened since San Marino City was organized in 1913, how the farms and towns of our San Gabriel Valley were doing, and how the people were responding to the social and political changes swirling around. This program is free and open to the public.
