eBOOKS
Arcadia City Directories 1923-1964 (not a complete set)
Before the Internet, there were Arcadia City Directories where you could find phone numbers and addresses for residents and businesses. Today, you can search these directories to explore the history of residents and businesses in the city. These directories are especially useful for genealogists and architectural historians. Published by Los Angeles City Directory Company and Polk Directories.
The Arcadia City Directories are hosted at the Internet Archive, and were digitized by a California Revealed grant in 2020-2021.
Santa Anita Rancho Anoakia Breeding Farm Catalog (1916)
The Santa Anita Rancho Anoakia Breeding Farm Catalog is a historical document of Arcadia’s agricultural past. It contains early history of the Santa Anita Rancho, describing its acreage, orchards, vineyards, winery, other crops, livestock, and thoroughbred running horses. It outlines various features of the livestock industry as embodied in the activities and ideals of the Santa Anita Rancho and the Anoakia Breeding Farm, under the management and ownership of Anita M. Baldwin, one of the daughters of Arcadia’s city founder Elias J. "Lucky” Baldwin.
The Santa Anita Rancho Anoakia Breeding Farm Catalog is hosted at the Internet Archive, and was digitized by a California Revealed grant in 2020-2021.
Arcadia: Where Ranch and City Meet by Pat McAdam and Sandy Snider
Thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library, the Library offers a digitized version of Arcadia: Where Ranch and City Meet. This comprehensive and excellent history of Arcadia has long been out of print.
Visions of Arcadia: A Centennial Anthology edited by Gary Kovacic
Thanks to a generous donation from former Mayor and City Council Member Gary Kovacic, the Library offers a digitized version of his book, Visions of Arcadia: A Centennial Anthology. This historical anthology includes essays and articles about Arcadia's rich history.
More Visions of Arcadia: A Community Anthology edited by Gary Kovacic
Thanks to a generous donation from former Mayor and City Council Member Gary Kovacic, the Library offers a digitized version of his book, More Visions of Arcadia: A Community Anthology. This companion volume to Visions of Arcadia includes even more essays and articles about Arcadia's rich history.
NEWSPAPERS
Santa Anita PACEMAKER
The PACEMAKER was a newspaper published for the more than 18,000 persons of Japanese descent who were held at the temporary Santa Anita Assembly Center during wartime in 1942. The Library has digitized 32 editions of the "Santa Anita PACEMAKER" available below.
PAMPHLETS
Arcadia Diamond Jubilee: 1903 to 1978:
The City of Arcadia celebrated its 75th birthday in 1978. At that time, articles that looked at the City’s history ran in the Arcadia Tribune and other worthwhile projects were undertaken. In September 1978, the grand celebration for the Diamond Jubilee was held. A community breakfast, a parade, even a gala ball were given in Arcadia’s honor.
One of the projects was a pamphlet entitled By Gads! This is Paradise the story of Arcadia written by Richard E. Miller, former City of Arcadia Librarian, and published by the Home Federal Savings and Loan. Through a Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) grant, the Department of Library and Museum Services of the City of Arcadia was able to have this interesting piece of Arcadia history digitized.
MORE RESOURCES
The Arcadia Public Library and The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage participated in the Local History Digital Resources Program (LHDRP) in 2006-07. During this time period two hundred photos were chosen for inclusion in the University of California's California Digital Library's databases, reflecting some of our unique resources.
