Lucky Baldwin’s Rancho Santa Anita The Early Diversified Era
Nut trees were planted on the northeast acreage, an area later known as the Santa Anita Tract. Poultry was raised in the central and southeast acreage. Citrus trees were grown on the western acreage, known today as the Village.
Sheep grazed just north of Colorado Place, known today as the Gardens. Corn was raised in the southwest acreage, which became known as the Colony. Vineyards, fruits, vegetables and pomegranates surrounded the Main Ranch House and General Store – now the Arboretum.
Dairy cows and an actual working dairy is now the Hugo Reid School area. Hay was grown to the north & west, enough to feed the ranch’s livestock. This area is now called the Oaks. The ranch’s Japanese gardeners grew strawberries in the area now called the Highlands. However, Lucky Baldwin’s greatest love was thoroughbred racehorses. Over time, there were seven different racetracks in the City. The first one was near Michillinda Ave., just south of Colorado Blvd. Right behind the former Eaton’s Restaurant (now Coco’s) were a number of little bungalows, where jockey’s lived and learned their trade.
