A Stone House Cottage

This historic dwelling was built by E. J. (Lucky) Baldwin for his daughter, Anita in May of 1902. It was said that Baldwin brought Italian stonemasons to quarry the granite blocks in Big Santa Anita Canyon to build the house. Grandview Avenue and Santa Anita Avenue were the only two streets in that area at the time. We are not certain that Anita and her husband, Hull McClaughry, lived in the dwelling, but we do know that Anita paid taxes on the property. We know that Anita rented the cottage and employed caretakers to maintain the property. A family of Hopi Indians lived there for a short time. Remnants of their artwork were discovered when a wall was restored many years later.

The “cottage” had a carriage house and stone garage in back. There was a three -story tank house, 14 feet square that fed the residence with water for general use. In 1922, when house numbers were assigned, the address the cottage was given was: 800 E. Grandview.

In 1937, the property was known as the “Powell Ranch,” after its owner T.H. Powell. Then in 1956, Ralph Hutchinson bought the property. At that time, a large observation platform behind the house was a wonderful place to view the city and see the ships in the ocean beyond. The carriage house and large stone garage with sunken pit, so as to work under the cars, was still in use. At the time, Grandview was a dirt road lined on the north with piled rocks. Herds of deer roamed and could be dangerous during mating season.

Ralph Hutchinson sold the property to Santa Anita Crest Investment Co. and development of the land began. The stone cottage and adjacent buildings were kept intact and the present owners are exceedingly proud of their “stone cottage.” This unique and distinctly one-of-a-kind historic dwelling is probably the oldest residence still in existence in Arcadia today. Note: The address of the cottage is no longer 800 E. Grandview.