Land Deal Completed for Santa Anita Track

For years, there had been talk of building a major racetrack in Arcadia, on the old ranch property once owned by Southern California pioneer E.J. “Lucky” Baldwin, the silver and gold mining king.

Baldwin bought Rancho Santa Anita in 1875 for $200,000, when it was largely rolling land covered with oaks. He kept adding parcels until at its peak it encompassed all of present-day Rosemead, San Marino, Azusa, El Monte, Arcadia, Monrovia and Sierra Madre.

Baldwin, who died in 1909, was a colorful rogue, known for his philandering. He also carried huge sums of cash and a revolver, no doubt to discourage spurned women from shooting at him, which happened at least once.

On this date in 1933, horse racing, a sport that traced its roots to California’s mission/vaquero era, was back on the Southern California sports calendar. In a transaction approved of in advance by the California Racing Commission, members of the Los Angeles Turf Club presented Baldwin’s daughter, Anita, with a check for $236,500 for 215 acres of ranch land.

Then, at a cost of just more than $1 million (the early cost estimate was $800,000), Charles Strub and film producer Hal Roach built Santa Anita Park, which opened for racing on Christmas Day, 1934.

Also on this date: In 1926, Harry Cooper shot a 67 to win the L.A. Open and earn $3,500. . . . In 1974, Tommy Prothro, fired by the Rams, was hired by the San Diego Chargers at $100,000 per year.