This book is dedicated to the memory of Albert O. Little (18991987), and to the school children of the ABC Unified School District; may you learn to love this community from those who have gone before you.
I would like to express my appreciation to the memory of the founding President of the Artesia Historical Society, June Lawson. I would also like to thank the members of the Executive Board of the Artesia Historical SocietyBarbara Frampton Applebury, Glen Wayne Dantema, Gloria Rojo, and Diane Padelford Youngfor their support of this project.
Many thanks to Cecelia and Miguel Oportot, who understand the importance of remembering family and community history. Their work in preserving and restoring historic pictures has been invaluable.
To all those individuals listed below who have shared their family pictures and stories, thank you for keeping the history of Artesia ALIVE!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Artesia-Cerritos United Methodist Church 105th Anniversary Publication, 1981.
Artesia Chamber of Commerce. History of Artesia , 1960.
Artesia City Directory , 19141915.
Artesia Community News , September 4, 1997.
Artesia Masonic Lodge History , 19061981.
Artesia News , April 26, 1952 and January 20, 1967.
Bean, Lowell J. Social Organization in Native California. Native Californians: A Theoretical Retrospective . California: Romona Press, 1976.
Borah, Woodrow. The California Mission. Ethnic Conflict in California History (C. Wollenberg, ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Tinnon-Brown, Inc., 1970.
Burkhart, E. 100 Years of Christian Church History 18931993 , published 1993.
California-Pacific Conference, United Methodist Church Archives , School of Theology, Claremont, California.
Celebration Program of the First Fifty Years of the New Life Community Church, 1982.
Community Advocate / Artesia News , March 27, 1974.
Community Advocate , July 31, 1985.
Cook, Sherburne F. The Conflict Between the California Indian and White Civilization . CA: Unversity of California Press, Berkley.
Friend, Dick. Personal Narrative, 1999.
Gonsalves, Jack. Personal Narrative , 1999.
Harish, C.P. 1974. Southern California Water Company History, 19281974.
Holy Family Church Dedication Souvenir , August 22, 1948.
Lakeman, Marius. Personal Narrative , 1999.
Lang, Lila, Lela Seeley, and Ester Jenkins. Look! The History of the ABC Unified School District, 1983.
Little, Albert O., Reference Notes .
Little, Albert O. The Artesians: How It Began One Hundred Years Ago, 1975.
Little, Albert O. The Artesians: Twenty Years of Incorporation , 1979.
Lopez, Ramona Mendez. Personal Narrative , 1999.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Minutes , 1928.
Los Angeles County History, Vol. 4, 1964.
Los Angeles Times , July 29, 1971.
Luskeys Artesia Cross City Directory , May 1963.
Pitt, L. and D. Pitt. Los Angeles A-Z . Berkeley: U.C. Press, 1997.
Roberts, Laverne Mathews. Personal Narrative , 1999.
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One
SCHOOLS, WELLS, AND FARMS
The village of Artesia formally became a community when the Artesia School District was established on May 3, 1875. The Artesia Land Company set aside 5 acres of land at the southwest corner of Main Street and Orange Avenue (Pioneer and 183rd Street) for a school to be built. The first schoolhouse was located at what is now the corner of 183rd Street and Alburtis. The schoolhouse was a rustic, timbered two-story building with a classroom on each floor. At its opening, 44 students were enrolled. The building was heated by a wood-burning stove, and water came from an Artesian well drilled by Nathaniel D. Robinson, school trustee. (Photo courtesy of Hattie Hadewig.)
George R. Frampton was the first graduate of the Artesia Grammar School in 1890. He went on to become one of the towns early leaders. A member of one of Artesias most notable families, George was second president of the first bank, Artesia Citizens Association president, Masonic Lodge Worshipful Master, second Postmaster, as well as an elementary and high school board member.
Notice the bare feet and board planks, one for boys and one for girls, at the Artesia School House, c. 1892. (Photo courtesy of Hattie Hadewig.)
On June 6, 1888, the Artesia School District purchased the following from Phil. Hirschfeld & Company: three boxes of pens, six boxes of slate pencils, four dozen pen holders, four dozen lead pencils, four blotters, one-fourth ream note paper, and five envelopes. The entire list cost $5.95.
The seven members of the graduating class of 1906 are pictured here with Principal White: (back row) Emma Gaines, Dick Brown, Alpha Gann, and Herbert Decker; (front row) Paul Mitchel, Maggie Hurley, Mr. White, and Eunice Smith.