South Pasadena S Ostrich Farm

Edwin Cawston courted the early-20th-century publics fascination with exotic foreign creatures when he began raising ostriches, for more than the use of their feathers in the clothing industry. When Cawston brought the enormous, flightless, African birds onto prime real estate in the Arroyo Seco of South Pasadena, Los Angeles County, more than a few observers thought that the looniest bird might be him. But Cawston was determined to showcase struthio camelus, the biggest bird in the world at 8 vertical feet and 350 pounds. The Cawston Ostrich Farm soon became one of the most popular Southern California attractions, drawing millions to watch people ride the birds bareback at a cruising speed of 35 miles per hour. Cawston supplied ostrich plumes for budget-minded consumers as well as fancy feathers for Vaudeville dancers, movie actresses, and even European queens, becoming a great promoter and showman of his time.

History of the Cawston Farm and sales catalog.

Hometown Pasadena is a new breed of city guide, an in-depth, personality-rich, four-color book written by locals for locals. The five co-authors Colleen Dunn Bates, Jill Ganon, Sandy Gillis, Mel Malmberg and Mary Jane Horton are all longtime San Gabriel Valley residents, and the foreword authors are Larry Mantle (from NPR's KPCC) and Larry Wilson (editor of the Pasadena Star-News). The book is rich in history, arts, culture, restaurants, gardens, architecture, children's activities, sports and much more, and it is filled with interviews with people who make a difference in the community. It is written and designed with wit, style and intelligence. Hometown Pasadena became an immediate success, going into its fourth printing in less than one year. 256 pages, four-color throughout, flexibound binding with flaps, extensive photography and color maps