Homestead Museum

Of Pigeons and Polygamy: The Strange Saga of J.Y. Johnson’s Los Angeles Pigeon Farm, 1898-1914

by Paul R. Spitzzeri Greater Los Angeles, generally from the 1890s until the World War II years, had a wide array of animal farms, many of which had a fundamental economic function while also serving as tourist attractions.  Some are better known today than others, whether they be the Cawston’s Ostrich Farm, on the border... Continue Reading →

“Dry Land; That’s All”: Prohibition (Sort Of)Takes Effect, 17 January 1920

by Paul R. Spitzzeri Last year, the Homestead mounted exhibits for the centennial of the passage of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, the so-called “noble experiment” to prohibition the manufacture, sale and consumption of most alcoholic beverages in the United States.  These displays, ably planned and carried out by several of my talented colleagues,... Continue Reading →

From Point A to Point B: A Stock Certificate for the Sierra Madre and Antelope Valley Toll Road Company, 16 January 1896

by Paul R. Spitzzeri One of the most popular hikes in the San Gabriel Mountain range is the Sturtevant Falls Trail in Big Santa Anita Canyon above Sierra Madre.  The 3.3 mile trek from the end of Chantry Flats Road is mostly along a wide road following Santa Anita Wash deep into the canyon and... Continue Reading →

Read All About It: Princess Mona Darkfeather in Film Industry Publications, 1913-1927

by Paul R. Spitzzeri As has been mentioned in several posts on this blog, Josephine Marie Workman, the youngest child of Homestead founders William Workman and Nicolasa Urioste’s son Joseph and his wife Josephine Belt, was a highly successful actress, under the name of “Princess Mona Darkfeather” in early motion pictures. She seems to have... Continue Reading →