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THE
PRESERVATIONIST The Whittier Conservancy Newsletter - Spring 2003 |
Future Uncertain for
McGee Home
[no author] At its March meeting, the Historic Resources Commission voted unanimously to recommend placement of the 1911 Joseph and Leona McGee home at 7332 College Avenue, on the city’s official register of historic resources. The meeting was attended by many area residents who voiced strong approval for historic designation. The recommendation will come before the City Council soon. Located on the crest of the hill on the southeast corner of College and Franklin, the McGee House is the historic and visual anchor of its neighborhood, a fine local example of Craftsman architecture, and the longtime residence of a family important in Whittier history. Ownership of this historic home has recently passed out of the McGee family, and its future is uncertain, as redevelopment of the property is being considered by the new owner. Joseph McGee, born in Iowa in 1878, came to Whittier just after the turn of the century to join his parents, James and Lillie Cammack McGee, pioneer East Whittier ranchers. In 1912, Joseph McGee married Leona Gibson, who had been a teacher in Whittier and school principal in East Whittier. The couple settled in the new house that they had built on their citrus ranch. They would live in the home for the rest of their long and useful lives, ownership passing to the next generation of the family sixty years later upon Joseph’s death in 1972. Joseph McGee served for many years as a director of the Whittier Citrus Association. He had College Avenue built and donated it to the government. Leona McGee spent a lifetime of activism, leadership and service to the causes of education and child welfare. Her considerable accomplishments, a list literally too long to print here, were achieved through leadership in local and district PTA, The Red Cross, the Needlework Guild, an organization that made cloths for needy children, the Whittier City Recreation Committee, the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club and the Whittier Woman’s Club. She represented the L.A. district of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs on the Governor’s Civil Defense Committee. Along with her husband, she also took an active role in the workings of the Whittier Citrus Association. The Joseph and Leona McGee home embodies important chapters in Whittier’s history. All who are interested in historic preservation need to carefully follow the historic designation process and the fortunes of this prominent historic home. [page 1] The
Twenty Dollar Tree
by Dorothea Boyd If you look at the reverse side of a twenty-dollar bill, you will see two trees. The one on the left is a representation of the Southern Magnolia tree that President Andrew Jackson planted on the White House lawn in memory of his wife Rachel, who died before he took office. In the 1960’s, Lady Bird Johnson, as part of her beautification of America efforts, had a cutting from this tree propagated. About four years ago, American Forests, an organization of people caring for trees and forests, sent tiny seedlings from the offspring of the Andrew Jackson tree to cities throughout the United States. Whittier, the “Tree City,” was one of the recipients. Under the care of the Park Department the seedling developed into a four foot tree and can be seen on the front lawn of Whittier’s first home, the Historic Bailey House on Camilla Street. At the behest of the Year Round Garden Club the City arranged for the 2003 Arbor Day Celebration to be held at the Bailey House with a tree planting ceremony in memory of Adele Nederburgh. Mrs. Nederburgh had planned and planted the old fashioned garden and tended it for over twenty-five years. Known as the tree lady, Adele was instrumental in saving a Magnolia tree on Mar Vista Street when city repaving required its removal. The tree stands today with the pavement curved around it. It seems most appropriate that a Magnolia should honor her life and that a historic tree should grace the lawn of Whittier’s oldest garden. Whittier is noted for its trees. It boasts over forty varieties and almost forty thousand have been planted on city streets and parklands earning Whittier the title of “Tree City - USA” for nineteen consecutive years. We commend the Year Round Garden Club and the Park Department in their continuing beautification of Whittier.
[page 2]
Renovated Park to Reopen in June by Kyle Koestner On Monday, March 3, Pio Pico State Historic Park interpreter Fred Andrews announced the opening date of June 2003 for the newly renovated state park. After years of languishing, the restoration of Pio Pico State Historic Park is in high gear. Bolstered by funds secured by the Pio Pico State Historic Park Coalition, the current efforts promise to deliver to our community a fully restored “El Ranchito (house of the little ranch).” According to interpreter Andrews “I’m just euphoric about how the park is coming together.” The restoration of the Adobe was completed first and now the landscaping portion of the project has also just been completed. The third phase calls for returning El Ranchito to a working model of how farming and ranching worked in the days of Pio Pico. Orange trees, a vineyard, vegetable gardens, grape arbors, and a livestock corral will be just some of the planned working exhibits. Pio de Jesus Pico was born at the San Gabriel Mission on May 5, 1801 and died in Los Angeles on September 11, 1894. During his colorful life, he rose from poverty to become one of the richest and most influential leaders in early California history. Pio originally purchased the Rancho around 1850 and in the same year built a large adobe home, using it as a country residence while he also resided in the Plaza de Los Angeles where his business interests kept him much of the time. Life at El Ranchito was a gathering place for his neighbors as well as business acquaintances traveling the large distance between settlements. Pio Pico’s ranch reflects both the type of home and lifestyle that wealthy Southern Californians built for themselves. During the 1850’s and 1860’s the buildings were twice as big as today and considered by contemporaries to be quite impressive. During Pio’s residence, El Ranchito was surrounded by gardens and rare and imported flowering plants. As the last Mexican governor of California, Pio’s life is a fascinating read. A man of his times, Pio both won and lost fortunes, all while contributing to the state’s history in the most colorful way. We would highly recommend you and your family visit the park at its opening and discover for yourself the great historic jewel we are fortunate to have in our own back yard. For those of you so inclined, there are a number of ways that you can actively contribute to the legacy of Pio Pico’s life and times. Public tours, special events, and lectures and programs for children are just some of the activities planned for the park when it opens. State Park interpreter Andrews is looking for volunteers and can be reached at (562) 693-2944. Or you can also consider joining the Friends of Pio Pico a support group who is in the process of developing plans to assist the State Park to bring these programs to our communities, especially the children of our community. To join the Friends of Pio Pico please email kpk@gte.net.
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Calendar [no author] Wed., March 26, 7:00 PM Conservancy Board Meeting Whittier Art Gallery Wed., April 9, 7:00 PM Historic Resources Commission Meeting City Council Chambers Wed., April 30, 7:00 PM Conservancy Board Meeting Whittier Art Gallery Sun., May 4, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Walnut Tree Art Festival Whittier Bl. at Mar Vista Wed., May 14, 7:00 PM Historic Resources Commission Meeting City Council Chambers Sat., May 17, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM Founders’ Day Central Park Wed., May 28, 7:00 PM Conservancy Board Meeting Whittier Art Gallery [page 4] |
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