Recruited by Long Beach Police Captain Tom Williams as a “social experiment” in January 1908, Fanny Bixby Spencer (1879-1930) is believed to have been America’s first policewoman. In her own words, “My work as a special officer was unique because I entered before the days of regular policewoman and I blazed a trail. I went[…]
Plant of the moment: Princess Flower!
By Rancho Intern Gardens Jul 30, 2020
Plant of the moment: the Princess Flower The princess flower (pictured above) or the Tibourchina urvillean, has 3-4” leaves that can be green, yellow, or even red during weather extremes. Its flowers are clustered near the branch tips, and they bloom in succession. Each bloom is 3” across and has violet stamens that stand[…]
Meet the Summer Interns! Taryn and Misael
By Rancho Intern internships Jul 27, 2020
Meet the Summer Interns! Hello everyone! We are so excited to be interning at Rancho Los Cerritos this summer. Even though things are a bit different due to the pandemic, we will make the most out of this experience and try to learn as much as we can during our time here. Below is a[…]
Plant of the Moment July
By Rancho Staff Gardens Jul 06, 2020
Plant of the Moment: Hydrangea macrophylla – Hydrangea. The shrub next to the veranda in the backyard gardens is having a stellar season, with large clusters of flowers that seem to make an “oldfashioned” statement. In the early 1900s, immigrants to California planted hydrangeas in the shade of their Southern California homes. This was[…]
What is Juneteenth?
By Sarah Wolk FitzGerald Events, history Jun 18, 2020
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday dates back to June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were free. This was two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln’s[…]
New Exhibit Tea Through Time Opens Online
By Curatorial Intern exhibits, history May 12, 2020
Tea through Time at Rancho Los Cerritos is the latest Rancho Los Cerritos exhibit, curated by Arts Council for Long Beach intern Anthony Smyers. For the first time in Rancho history, this exhibit will have its opening online. Find the exhibit here: https://www.rancholoscerritos.org/tea-through-time-exhibit/. Since 1844, many different people have passed through the doors of Rancho Los[…]
Library Exhibit: The Bixbys’ 1930s Remodel
By Rancho Staff exhibits, history, Long Beach, rlc175 Oct 31, 2019
This October, Rancho Los Cerritos installed the third in a series of special exhibits in the library display case that commemorates the demisemiseptcentennial. (175th anniversary) of the adobe’s construction (built in 1844). This latest display focuses on the remodel of the adobe during the 1930s. Brice Burtness (pictured with the exhibit), RLC’s Fall 2019 Creative Long Beach intern[…]
Bixby Land Company Hosts Annual Staff Retreat at RLC
By Rancho Staff Events Oct 09, 2019
On Friday, September 13th, Bixby Land Company held its annual staff retreat here at Rancho Los Cerritos. About two dozen staff attended the luncheon under the leadership and gratitude of CEO and President Aaron Hill (pictured middle above). Bixby Land staffers enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the adobe from costumed first-person docents which was followed[…]
Happy 175th Birthday to RLC’s Historic Adobe!
By Rancho Staff Events, history, Long Beach, rlc175 Oct 02, 2019
We celebrated the 175th Anniversary of our historic adobe last Saturday, September 28th, and we even had a proper birthday cake to commemorate the occasion! Cutting the RLC 175th birthday cake are (L-R): Rick Alsagoff (board member), Barbara Bixby Blackwell (board member), Susan Wise (board chair), Craig Carter (board member), Councilmember Al Austin, Jean Bixby[…]
Fun Facts about 1844
By Rancho Staff history, rlc175 Jul 15, 2019
In commemoration of Rancho Los Cerritos’ 175th Anniversary year of when the adobe was built in 1844, the blog will feature a series of stories as submitted by our followers and fans – “back in the day,” historic, nostalgic, and other tales – throughout 2019. These accounts will highlight fun facts, personal perspectives, and other viewpoints from staff,[…]