So, yes COVID-19 is serious and your City staff continue to be focused on providing the best service possible to the community that we deeply cherish. But we thought, heck, (yes, that's right, heck!) let's take a quick break to highlight that other aspects of community life continue. A little art and a little history, perhaps...
Without further ado, let's talk about our founders. Yes, while many people are well aware of William Monroe (heck, the town was named after him!). But a lone wolf he was not!
It took many men to help create this awesome city. But imagine if women had been allowed to vote, hold office...[fill in the blank here]...etc. Well, we all know that behind every great man...
So back to our founders...yes, that's plural. How many were there?
Well, we are sooo glad you asked? There were five, can you name them all?
Can you name any of them?
We gave you one already...William Monroe.
But we would be remiss not to include Edward Spence, John Bicknell, James Crank and Jeremiah Falvey alongside him. We're so pleased that local artist, Eric Watkins, chose four of them as the subject for his utility box masterpiece, appropriately entitled, The Founding Fathers as part of the Art on the Box Program. Seriously, it's a terrific addition to our growing collection.
We hear you, so many questions...
Art on the Box?
Why are only four featured?
Aliens, do they really exist?
(We'll save this one for another day!)
Let's take the easy one first, Art on the Box. You may have noticed that there are a number of utility boxes around town with decorated with art. This program was put into place by the Art in Public Places Committee and the City Council about a decade ago to encourage artists to dress up these blank canvases scattered around town. It's open to local artists of all ages. Click here for more details, and if so inspired, get ready, we take applications every winter (the next round will be from January through March 2021).
Now on to the really big mystery, who was Jeremiah Falvey? That's a great question. What we do know is that we don't know much. There is minimal information and no known images in existence (for some reason, we imagine him to look like a young Danny DeVito). But when the City Historian tells us he's one of "The Five", who are we to argue? So what do know about him is that he had been the foreman at Lucky Baldwin's Rancho Santa Anita...
That's it.
Luckily, there is considerably more information on our other four founders. We're going to give you just a few tidbits to whet your appetite. Want to know more? Check out the Library website to learn about all the resources available to educate yourself on Monrovia's rich history. So here we go...
Presenting, Art in the Box, featuring Our Founding Fathers
William Monroe – The big daddy of them all! Born June 4, 1841 in Indiana. With his growing family he decided to move to California in 1875. In 1882 he purchased 120 acres of land from Lucky Baldwin and the following year purchased another 90 acres (image the price of that land now???) Throughout his life, Mr. Monroe was a very successful businessman and pursued many carriers including school superintendent, banker, real estate broker and railroad supervisor (can you say Jack of all trades?)
John Bicknell – Born in Vermont with his exact birthday unknown (so does that mean that everyday is potentially his birthday?) He studied and practiced law in Wisconsin until 1866. His asthmatic condition forced him to move to California and join the law firm that represented Southern Pacific Railroads. Later he became President of the First National Bank.
Still with us? Just checking...
James Crank – Here's another figure instrumental in the early development of our city. Born in New York in 1842, he moved to California in 1874. In 1881 he became a Member of the State Legislature. Mr. Crank considered one of his greatest ventures to be the construction of a steam railroad through the northern half of the San Gabriel Valley.
Edward Spence – Came to California in 1822 to engage in mining. In 1869 he became a bank manager. A few years later, he moved to Los Angeles (do you think it was called "LA" back then?) to help organize the First National Bank. While he was Mayor of Los Angeles, he organized the first salaried fire department. It is said that Mr. Spence was the one who suggested Monrovia be named after Mr. Monroe. (Thank goodness because Spenceville, Bicknelltown and Crankadena just don’t roll off the tongue like Monrovia.)
These men, and Monroe, all knew each other from business and society connections in Los Angeles (did you catch that?)
Click this link to see the original track of homes and land owned by the founding fathers here.
Until next time…stay thirsty (for knowledge) friends…oh, and heck, we should probably let you know where to see this gem in person...its in front of the Aztec Hotel! If there's a crowd, please keep 6 feet apart. We need you dear reader.
