Steve Baker's Legacy

Steve Baker was a fifth-generation Monrovian, the city's official historian from 1991 until his passing in 2022, and one of Southern California's most respected historic preservation advocates. Realizing the Blair House was threatened with demolition in 1993, Baker purchased the structure, arranged for its relocation next to his own Brossart House, and devoted decades to painstaking restoration. His vision was always to preserve Monrovia's architectural heritage by giving these historic homes a viable future. Read our 2022 tribute to Steve Baker here. 

Today's Arthur Blair Historic Inn

Following Baker's death, his vision has continued. The restored homes have become the Arthur Blair Historic Inn, complete with guest accommodations and the soon-to-open Viola's Bar & Bistro. The project preserves two of Monrovia's oldest Victorian homes while allowing visitors to experience the city's rich history firsthand—a fitting tribute to Steve Baker's lifelong commitment to historic preservation. In 2024, The Blair and Brossart Houses were added to the National Register of Historic Places and were officially designated as Historic Landmarks by the City of Monrovia recognizing their architectural and historical significance.

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Group photo (from left) are:  Adriana Perez, representing Assemblymember John Harabedian;
Councilmember Edward Belden; Vicky Hansen, Museum Board Member and Exhibit Chair;
Councilmember Dr. Tamala Kelly; Mayor Becky Shevlin; Councilmember Larry Spicer;
City Manager Dylan Feik; and Mayor Pro Tem Sergio Jimenez
Also being acknowledged is Michael Andrews, Museum Board Member
and Route 66 Exhibit Designer (not pictured)

On April 30, the Monrovia Historical Museum proudly celebrated the grand opening of its newest exhibit, 

​Is this a great city or what?
​We truly could not have done it without you.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our community partners, friends, neighbors, volunteers, and supporters for the incredible assistance and encouragement during recent Route 66 commemorative events.

From the April 30th "Engines of Change" and the special "Route 66: A Road Through Time" exhibit grand opening to the extraordinary May 3rd Route 66 Centennial celebration, car and trailer show, performances, live music and festivities, the outpouring of community spirit and support was second to none!

​PRESS RELEASE ~ April 8, 2025

Monrovia ChangeMakers

Contact:
Sandy Burud
sandy.burud@gmail.com
(626) 675-8323

Long Unmarked Graves of Two Extraordinary African American Women to be Marked

Two notable African American Monrovia sisters, whose resting places lie unmarked at Monrovia's Live Oak Memorial Park, will finally be recognized and markers added to their graves.

A program highlighting the lives and legacies of Anna H. Jones and Dr. Sophia B. Jones, will be held on Saturday, May 3 beginning with a program and luncheon at 11 a.m. at Second Baptist Church, 925 S. Shamrock Ave., followed by the dedication of their grave markers at 3 p.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park.

The event and luncheon are free and open to the public. Please RSVP by April 25 to (626) 664-6537 or spicerbatice@gmail.com.

These sisters, born in the 1850s, were pioneers in education and medicine, overcoming racial and gender barriers. Yet their stories are barely known here.

Anna was a visionary educator, suffragist, and civil rights leader who made lasting contributions to higher learning in the US. She broke new ground as a teacher at Ohio's Wilberforce University, where she also served as Dean of Women. Later, she became the first African American teacher in Kansas City and then the first African American principal of Douglass School, a public school for African Americans. She founded the Kansas City Colored Women’s League, was a founding member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, and in 1900 delivered a paper at the first Pan-African Congress in London. Eventually, she settled with her siblings at 1301 S. Shamrock Ave. in Monrovia, had a small orange ranch and continued her fight for social justice by founding the “Anna H. Jones Club,” still going strong, to help local graduates pursue a college education.

Sophia was equally determined but focused on the medical field. Denied admission because of her race to the medical school at the University of Toronto, where she earned an undergraduate degree, she pursued her dream in the U.S., in 1885 becoming the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School. She became the first Black female faculty member at Spelman College in Atlanta, establishing its nursing program. She went on to teach at Wilberforce University, serve at Frederick Douglass Hospital, and publish influential work on public health. She, too, spent her final years at the family home on South Shamrock.

Both operated in the highest circles of elite Black activists. Their close friend W.E.B. Du Bois, co-founder of the
NAACP, marked each of their passings in his national magazine, The Crisis.

Their stories underscore perseverance, scholarship, and activism. This gathering will celebrate their achievements and reveal little-known aspects of their roles in shaping higher education and medicine. All are invited to learn more about these extraordinary women and witness the dedication of newly placed grave markers honoring them at Live Oak Memorial Park.

Sponsors: Second Baptist Church, Monrovia ChangeMakers, Monrovia Historical Society, Monrovia Historical
Museum, Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association, Anna H. Jones Club, Live Oak Cemetery, Randy Montgomery; Valley Monument.

READ MORE: See the document below (scroll, zoom or download) to read a more in-depth article on the Jones Family (Desktop View Only).

​Long-serving Monrovia City Council Member Gloria Crudgington passed away in September, 2024. Ms. Crudgington was 75. The members of the Monrovia Historical Museum Foundation’s Board are saddened by her passing and wish to spend a few moments remembering her and just a few of the many things she accomplished.

If you have ever hiked in the Monrovia Wilderness Preserve, you can thank Gloria. She ran the campaign for Measures A & B that saved approximately 1400 acres of our beautiful hillside from development. In September, 2024, the City dedicated an existing building near the Cloverleaf entry to the Wilderness as a visitor center named Crudgington Station.

​Ms. Crudgington ran for City Council in 2015 with a specific agenda. In her own words: “I ran in 2015 with a specific agenda: our infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, water mains, sewers, etc.) were falling apart; Arcadia-style McMansions were starting to spring up, and record numbers of historic homes were getting slated for demolition. In addition, our historic train depot was languishing and we had failed to close the deal on a grant to restore it.”
As you look around our community today, you can readily see that she was successful. She used her skills as a Marriage and Family Therapist to get the Council to work together to fix the issues vexing the City. The train station was restored; Monrovia Renewal was instituted to fix the infrastructure; and legislation was passed to protect Monrovia’s architectural heritage and prevent mansionization. “Gloria was a champion for Monrovia, and her dedication to the City was remarkable,” City Manager Dylan Feik wrote in his weekly newsletter. Monrovia is a better place to live because of Gloria Crudgington. She will be missed and her legacy will be long- lasting.

Presented at the 3/19/24 City Council Meeting, this video features an overview of Ms.Crudgington's impact throughout her years serving Monrovia.

​If you have any memories of Ms. Crudgington that you would like to share, please leave us a comment below!

​Monrovians have much to celebrate this year. We did it again! The National Civic League recently announced the winners of the 2024 All-America City Award (AAC), and the City of Monrovia was among the ten communities who received the recognition! Check out NCL's website to get the full story <link>. 
 
Our City Manager, Dylan Feik, wrote about this in a Special City Manager’s Update. Join us in thanking him and other civic leaders and staff who work tirelessly to serve and represent our beloved community!
 
​"This achievement reflects the City’s pride, integrity, inclusivity, and work ethic. We, at the Monrovia Historical Museum, are very pleased and proud!"
~ Mark Harvis, MHM Vice President

See the City of Monrovia Announcement by clicking this link: Award Winning City

​The Monrovia Historical Museum wishes to give special acknowledgment to our dedicated City Manager, Dylan Feik. Throughout Monrovia, Dylan is hailed as an outstanding leader who consistently engages with the public on various fronts. 

In addition to his regular responsibilities of overseeing city employees and managing policies, budgets, and personnel, Dylan tirelessly addresses a wide range of issues—from organizing special events to managing weather-related disasters, responding to inquiries, addressing concerns within the unhoused community, and even handling complaints on social media platforms. His commitment to problem-solving knows no bounds, and he goes above and beyond the call of duty. This unwavering dedication has made a significant impact on our community, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation for everything he has done for our organization and the beloved city we serve.

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​To all our veterans,
THANK YOU, for your service!
 
Memorial Day is a special day for all Americans to remember and pay tribute to the men and women in our armed forces who gave their lives in service to our country. Since Monrovia was founded as a city 137 years ago, many Monrovians responded to the call of duty, and many paid the ultimate sacrifice. And so Memorial Day is a fitting tribute to them and to those who returned home to help pick up the pieces and work together as a community, to make this country, this town, this city, a better place to live -- the beautiful and picturesque Gem of the Foothills community we all enjoy and love!
 
On Memorial Day, many activities, parades, and events are held around the country to celebrate, honor and thank our veterans and heroes. In Monrovia, there will be the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, held at 10:00 am at the Live Oak Cemetery. At the Monrovia Library Park, you will find markers dedicated to the memory of those Monrovians who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The images of old newspaper clippings* shown here are just a few examples of how we, as a community, have honored and celebrated our own heroes through the years.

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​At the Monrovia Historical Museum, our mission, among other things, is to be a place for people of all ages to experience history both as a spectator and a participant.

​We have been helping Monrovians remember the past for more than 31 years now and we are here to share our city's history.

At the museum, you will learn about some of these people who served our nation in two world wars and beyond. Come visit us to see our displays and the stories of Monrovians who sacrificed their lives for us.

Visit our general information page for hours and location. We look forward to seeing you!

​The Monrovia Historical Museum announces the addition of Ms. Ili Lobaco as our newest board member. Ili had served on the museum board from 2016 through 2021, but continued on as a temporary volunteer on an as-needed basis. This month, the museum board invited her back and we are thrilled to have her! Welcome back, Ili.

Ili has a long history with the City of Monrovia, where she lived and attended Monrovia schools from 1964 to 1975. She has fond memories of swimming at The Plunge, which has been the museum’s home since 1992.  For fifteen years, Ili worked for the City of Monrovia as a city planner and oversaw the historic preservation program, among other planning duties. She retired from the City of Monrovia in 2015, but returned to her roots in city planning when she joined the City of Monterey Park in 2021 on a part time basis. In December 2023, Ili retired again to “have more time to assist the museum,” she says. With her previous affiliation and affinity for our city, it was only fitting to ask her to rejoin the board!

Ili and her husband, Scott, are Glendora residents, but in her heart, Ili is a bonafide Monrovian!