Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 23, 2012

5

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views News Saturday June 23, 2012

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

REMEMBRANCE


WILLIAM (BILL) HENRY 
THOMPSON

THOMPSON - William (Bill) Henry passed away peacefully, 
in the company of loving ones on June 6, 2012, having 
lost his valiant battle with prostate cancer. He was 
born June 24, 1934 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada to 
Reg and Irene Thompson the youngest of three. When 
he was a teenager, the family moved to Vancouver, British 
Columbia leading him to attend the University of 
British Columbia following high school graduation. He 
moved to the Bay Area of California after he earned his 
Bachelors degree and a teaching credential and then to 
Southern California, securing a job at Temple City High 
School. He earned a Master Degree at USC, which added 
to his skills as a leader and educator. After a successful 
career in education both as a teacher and a leader, he left 
education to pursue other interests and opportunities, 
which included managing Bruno’s in Monrovia, directing 
several Schick Stop Smoking Clinics, and founding Pasadena 
Motor Works with a friend before finding a calling in real estate. He served the area as an agent 
and assistant manager at Coldwell-Banker in Arcadia. 

Bill was known by all as a true human who cared deeply for friends, family, animals particularly the 
family cats Spunky and Rosie, theatre of all kinds, space, the environment, Clampouts, the home he 
shared with his wife Anita and the garden of flowers, trees and vegetables. Being athletic, he was an 
accomplished skier, enjoying many trips to Mammoth. He also loved sailing to the Channel Islands, 
the Coronados and of course, Catalina that became a favorite spot. Among his accomplishment was 
earning a pilot’s license, enabling he and Anita to enjoy many adventures in a Cessna, including flying 
over Mt. St. Helen’s and the Grand Canyon, along the Oregon Coast as well as meeting the challenge 
of landing on Catalina. Another passion and talent was sharing his cooking and grilling with 
friends as well as exploring small wineries in the Central Coast for excellent pairings. Traveling was 
also high on his joys as evidenced by trips to Southeast Asia and China, a month in Africa, cruises to 
Antarctica, the Baltic, British Isles, as well as a month in France, cruising from Paris to the coasts of 
Normandy and then to the French Rivera.

He is survived by his wife Anita; his stepdaughter, Kevil Drew; grandson Sean Drew; sister Joyce and 
her husband Alan Anderson; sister Joan and her husband Norman Gish plus nieces and nephews and 
grand nieces and grand nephews; and countless loving friends,

A celebration of his very full life will be held at a later date.

VISITING THE DUARTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM

 It’s been several years since I took Mom to the Duarte Museum, so this 
past Saturday, I revisited it. If anyone loves history, wants to know how their city 
began, or what it was like in the “Old Days”, this is the place to go!

 The building itself on Encanto Drive is lovely and obviously was someone’s 
home years ago. In the rooms, you will find pieces of antique furniture, dresses 
from long ago and display cabinets with all kinds of memorabilia such as tools 
and interesting gadgets! Among the notables, an antique thermometer with an 
explanation of its use, an antique magnifying glass to check for insects, cases for 
insect collections, an oil can used by Duarte ranchers, and tools used to stamp 
oranges! (Either Sunkist or lower grades!)

 I believe everyone knows “Duarte” was named after “Don” Andres Duarte of the Rancho 
Azusa de Duarte. His life began in November, 1805, when he was born at Mission San Juan Capistrano, 
in Alta California. When Andres was only sixteen, he joined the Mexican army and was assigned 
to Mission San Gabriel. (That’s what brought him to our area.) As he got older, he assumed more 
responsibility and ultimately was responsible to protect property from San Gabriel to San Bernardino. 
He loved the lush lands surrounding Rio Azusa-now the San Gabriel River. Upon his retirement 
from the army in 1841, he petitioned 
Governor Juan Alvarado for a land 
grant and within two weeks had 
acquired 6595 acres!

 Andres Duarte built an 
adobe for himself and settled with 
his family, wife Gertrudes and son, 
Santiago. For many years, he was 
a successful rancher and was a 
great host. After the Mexican War 
and the signing of the Treaty of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo, his claim to the 
land grants in 1841 was validated. 
In 1850, California was admitted to 
the United and by the mid-1850’s, 
Duarte was unable to pay back taxes 
levied on his land. So he began to 
sell off his holdings. But as was the 
case with many who were rich in real 
estate, he could not and eventually all 
of his buildings went on the auction 
block. In the 1870’s, the land was 
subdivided into 40-acre parcels, 
and sold to many different owners. 
Several cities have been established 
on lands originally granted to Andres 
Duarte. Besides Duarte, they include 
Monrovia, Azusa, Irwindale, Baldwin Park, Arcadia and Bradbury. 

 In the museum, there are also pictures of other people who played an integral role in our area’s 
history and development. John Scott was the Horticultural Commissioner. His duty was to stamp 
out all insect parasites which attack fruit trees and prevent their infestation. He had thirty inspectors 
working under him!

 A photo of Louis Bradbury caught my eye. Obviously we all know what city was named after 
him! But why? Louis Leonard Bradbury acquired 2750 acres of the Rancho Andres de Duarte. He had 
made his fortune in gold and silver mining primarily in Mexico. His Bradbury Building is a Historical 
Landmark in the City of Los Angeles. In 1892, he built an elegant home on his land and surrounded 
it by a suitable garden that is now the site of Royal oaks Manor. 

 Bradbury also owned a smaller ranch in the southeastern corner of present-day San Marino. 
However after his death, his heirs lost control of both ranches during the 1930’s. Prolonged legal 
battles between family members resulted in foreclosure proceedings by the Security National Bank 
against most of the Bradbury Estate.

 After World War II, many GI tracts went up. The City of Duarte began its incorporation 
in 1957. Residents of the Bradbury Estate Property Owners Association were concerned about the 
rapid pace of development and feared large parcels would be sold and developers would come in and 
put up a lot of tract homes. So they quickly solicited the 500 minimum number of registered voters 
required to incorporate a new city and applied to the Board of Supervisors. I had always wondered 
why Bradbury had such a small population. Now I know why. And it explains other cities in the 
county with a small population.

 Do yourself a favor and check out this museum. It isn’t real large in size, but what it has to offer 
in knowledge is immeasurable! (For more info, go to their website: www.duartehistory.org .


PET OF THE WEEK FRACK: Animal #A4448278 

Meet a loving ball of fluff, the adorable Frack 
(A4448278). Frack is a fabulous six month 
old black neutered male Shih Tzu mix puppy 
who was found in La Puente on June 17th 
with his companion Frick (A4448276) 
and brought to the Baldwin Park Animal 
Care Center. Weighing seven pounds, this 
incredibly cute boy hasn’t had much in the 
way of training. Playful and confident, 
Frack loves children and other dogs. Frack 
will make a spectacular pet for anyone in any 
living situation. To see a video of Frick and 
Frack please visit this link: www.youtube.
com/watch?v=qSfXjO793xE

To meet Frack in person, please see him at 
the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. 
Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-
430-2378 or 626-962-3577). He is currently 
available now. For any inquiries about Frack, please reference his animal ID number: A4448278. 
The shelter is open seven days a week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-
Sunday. This is a high-intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more information about 
Juliette or the adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption Coordinator 
Samantha at samanthasayon@gmail.com or 661-309-2674. To learn more about United Hope for 
Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park Shelter through its Shelter Support Program, as well as 
the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes available for adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.
unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/shelter-support-program/.


18-HOUR CONCRETE POUR OF I-210 GOLD LINE 
BRIDGE SUPERSTRUCTURE SUCCESSFUL - 

With Pour Complete, Construction Authority 
Continues Foothill Extension on 
Time and on Budget


MONROVIA — Achieving another major milestone in the 
Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension construction project, 
crews worked 18 hours over the last several days to place 
more than 200 truckloads of concrete to form the bridge’s superstructure 
and main crossbeam, Metro Gold Line Foothill 
Extension Construction Authority CEO Habib F. Balian announced 
today. 

An important component of the Foothill Extension from 
Pasadena to Azusa is the I-210 Gold Line Bridge, the “Gateway 
to the San Gabriel Valley.” The bridge - a 584-linear-foot 
light rail bridge traversing the eastbound lanes of the I-210 
Freeway between Baldwin and Santa Anita Avenues - will allow 
connection between the existing Sierra Madre Villa Station 
in East Pasadena and the future Arcadia Station. 

“The concrete pour of the bridge marks an important milestone 
for the extension of the Gold Line. The bridge is a 
significant element of the entire project and as the concrete 
cures and the forms are removed in the coming months, the 
traveling public will get to see the bridge truly taking shape,” 
said Balian. “The next step is to pour the bridge deck, which 
will one day carry light rail trains into portions of the San 
Gabriel Valley that have not had passenger rail options for 
decades.” 

The bridge is being built by Skanska USA, the design-build 
team awarded the contract by the Construction Authority 
in June 2010. Skanska has been planning for the pour 
for about four months and with the successful completion 
of the superstructure concrete pour the bridge is nearing 
completion. 

In pouring the superstructure, Skanska used 2,100 cubic 
yards of concrete – enough concrete to fill approximately 
50 average swimming pools. The concrete used in the pour 
was divided among more than 200 truckloads, requiring 
30 trucks to make continuous trips to and from the site 
throughout the 18-hour pour. 

“Skanska has done a tremendous job collaborating with the 
Construction Authority, Caltrans, CHP, and the city of Arcadia 
to meticulously plan and execute this critical activity,” 
commented Balian. “The Construction Authority commends 
Skanska, and their entire construction team, for 
completing this portion of the project quickly and efficiently 
with minor disruptions to the traveling public and surrounding 
community, as well as no safety incidents.” 

The $18.6 million bridge, which has been under construction 
since April 2011, will feature columns designed to resemble 
indigenous baskets in recognition of the region’s original inhabitants 
and the important role they played in the San Gabriel 
Valley’s development. The underside of the superstructure 
is also specially designed to be curved and resemble the 
underbelly of a snake, to represent the wildlife living in the 
Foothills above the Valley. 

The design for the bridge was developed and finalized by 
Skanska’s design team, led by AECOM, which includes nationally 
recognized public artist Andrew Leicester – the project’s 
design concept advisor. Leicester was selected by a committee 
of local community stakeholders representing cities 
from throughout the corridor to envision a new gateway to 
the San Gabriel Valley. 

The bridge project is on track for completion in late 2012, 
and is scheduled to be turned over to Foothill Transit Constructors 
(FTC) - A Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture in December 
to begin installation of the track and other elements onto 
the bridge as part of the overall 11.5-mile Foothill Extension 
Pasadena to Azusa Alignment Project. 

Construction of the Foothill Extension from Pasadena to 
Azusa is one of the region’s largest and most important transit 
projects. Construction is generating nearly 7,000 jobs 
(2,600 in construction) and $1 billion in economic output for 
the region during its four-year construction period. It is the 
first Measure R-funded rail project to break ground, and is on 
schedule to be completed in late 2015.