If you were a child living in Arcadia in the late 1920s you probably had horseback riding lessons in addition to piano lessons. And, you probably had a pony or horse stabled on your property. Several riding stables as well as riding “academies” were located in the city.
The Schulenburg Riding School, the Collegiate Riding Academy, plus the Kennedy Stables, were important to Arcadia’s “riding community.” Fred Harris, with the Santa Anita Riding Academy, was a popular instructor as was Leslie Proud, both Chamber of Commerce members. In 1925, the Santa Anita Riding and Hunt Club (located on the site of the present Elks Club) asked and received permission from the city to establish a bridle path on Santa Anita Avenue, north into the foothills. This gave horsemen access to the many trails in the Big Santa Anita Canyon.
Riding trails could be found in orchards, orange groves and fields throughout Arcadia, so it was not necessary to ride on city streets. The Kennedy Stables, the last of the city’s stables, burned in 1952.
We hope you enjoy our Historical Tid Bits about Arcadia, CA
Carol Libby and Karen Hou
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Carol Libby & Karen Hou
Arcadia Historical Society
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