by Nancy Armitage
For Mr. Henry Edwards Huntington the year: 1922, was the best of times & the worst of times. It was a grand day for celebration on Tuesday, March 21, 1922 when the “Blue Boy” painting got delivered to the San Marino Ranch. Mr. Henry “Edwards” Huntington always had admired that painting; at that time, it was the most expensive painting anyone had ever paid for. Within a week of “The Blue Boy’s arrival, Mr. Huntington’s only son, Howard E. Huntington, died of stomach cancer. He grieved this great loss with Howard’s sisters & his wife, Arabella Huntington. In a week’s time, Mr. H. E. Huntington had to experience his highest high & his lowest low.
1922 Huntington Family Timeline
Sunday, Jan. 1, 1922 New Year’s Day, Pasadena, CA Huntington Mansion- San Marino Ranch – The Huntingtons arrive at the San Marino Ranch in Southern California, by their private railroad car on New Year’s Day: “Rained all day long. 4:30 pm went to the home of Dr. & Mrs. Willis & had Egg Nog & Cake“. Edwards [HEH] & Belle [Edwards & Arabella Huntington] arrive home at about 9 pm. Having come from NY via New Orleans accompanied by Dr. Coley & Mrs. Leakey & Mr. Hapgood. Carrie [Huntington Holladay], Collis [Holliday her son], & I went over to the house [Huntington Mansion on San Marino Ranch] & awaited their arrival – Edwards has been quite ill in NY & looked very tired & while (sic) on his arrival -Belle was tired also”. Document: HEH Coll MS 10968 (Burke Holladay Journal )-HEH’s brother-in- law (Probably Carrie M. Campbell who was Mrs. Arabella Huntington social secretary, too)
Monday Jan. 2, 1922 Pasadena Rose Parade/Football game -Huntington Mansion San Marino Ranch – 6-8 dinner guests with Edwards [HEH] & Belle celebrating New Years. “Harry Ord [HEH’s & Carrie’s cousin] arrived in LA… Aft. The great Football Game [what became the Rose Bowl Game] was played at Tournament Park [Cal Tech, Pasadena] bet. UC & Washington & Jefferson College was a tie. 0 to 0. I went as a guest of Col. R. F. Thompson with Admiral & Mrs. Eberle [of the great Pacific fleet]. Helen [Holladay his daughter] went with Harry Ord. Carrie & I took dinner with Edwards & Belle [Huntington]. Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (Burke Holladay Journal)
January 27, 1922 Pasadena – San Marino Ranch – Los Angeles, CA: “Coming-Out Party” 2 daughters of Mr. Fred Bixby at Dr. Bryant’s [Downtown Los Angeles], LA Bitter Cold Snap – We had a very cold spell a week ago – plants frozen: Heliotrope, & others frozen in all gardens. A large part of citrus crop frozen; [San Marino Ranch & other Huntington owned Ranches] great damage done – our garden looks sad. This eve – we [The Holladays] drove to the residence of Dr. Ernest Bryant 3210 West Adams St. Los Angeles & attended a large “coming-out” party given to two of the daughters of Fred Bixby, nieces of Mrs. B. (Bixbys & the Bryants) Document: HEH Collection HEH MS 10968 (Burke Holladay Journals-HEH’s brother in law) Historical Note: a “Coming-Out” Party is a Debutante Ball of today in high society.
Sun. Jan. 29, 1922 Huntington Mansion San Marino Ranch 6-8 guests for dinner with Belle & H. E. “Edwards” Huntington: “Rain, Rain all day – we 4 [Collis, Helen, Burke & Carrie Holladay] dined with Belle & Edwards [Huntington]. Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (Burke Holladay Journal) at Huntington Library, San Marino, CA Historical Note: Carrie Holladay was H. E. Huntington’s sister who lived at 3333 Rosalind Rd. in Pasadena, just north of the San Marino Ranch. The term, “Dined” or “To Dine” at a multi-course dinner meant fancy dress-up clothes, men in white tie & tails & women in long sequined gowns with jewels. Often, Miss Carrie M. Campbell (Mrs. Huntington’s social secretary) & Mr. George Hapgood (Mr. Huntington’s social secretary) were asked to dine with the Huntington Family for dinner even though they were employees, they were also friends. There always needed to be a even number sitted at the Dining-Room table, as it was the proper etiquette of the day.
Sun. Feb. 5, 1922 Huntington Mansion, San Marino Ranch CA. Sunday at the Ranch -12 guests for a formal luncheon with Belle & Edwards, also 4-6 guests for formal dinner with Belle & Edwards: “Belle & Edwards [Huntington] gave a luncheon to Admiral & Mrs. Eberle, we (2) were there – also Mr. [Geo.]Patton [Sr.] & Anita, Mr. & Mrs. E. J. Marshall, Leslie Huntington [Howard Huntington’s wife] & Mr. Judah. At 4:30 we drove with them in the Sedan to Hotel Virginia, Long Beach returning & dining with B. & E. [Belle & Edwards Huntington] Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (Burke Holladay Journal) at Huntington Library San Marino, CA
Wed. Feb. 15, 1922 Party at the Holladays House on Rosalind Road Pasadena, CA Large Entertainment -16 dinner guests in honor of Belle & Edwards Huntington: “This is my 60th Birthday. This eve. Carrie & I gave a dinner at our house in honor of Belle & Edwards [HEH]. The other guests were: Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Patton, E. J. Marshall, W. P. Harrisons, the McGowans, & W. E. Dunns which with us 4 made 16 in all.” Document HEH Coll. MS 10968 (Burke Holladays Journals) at the Huntington Library San Marino, CA . Nancy Note: Carrie Holliday HEH’s sister lived on 333 Rosalind Road, Oak Knoll area, Pasadena, CA.
Sunday Feb. 19 1922, Pasadena, CA Holladays a guest of Dennis at the Valley Hunt Club, Pasadena: “C & I called on Iva, Ethel & Wade [HEH’s cousins} in afternoon. Eve. with Helen we had Supper at Valley Hunt Club [Pasadena, CA] as guests of Mr. & Mrs. Dennis. – heard an astronomical lecture.” Document: HEH Coll MS 10968 uncat (E. Burke Holladay Journal)
Mon. Feb. 27, 1922 San Marino Ranch / Howard Huntington [son of HEH was very sick at the time] “This is Edward’s [HEH] 72nd Birthday. He feels much better then when he arrived from NY on Jan’y1, but is getting worried over Howard’s condition. Howard has trouble of the stomach. The doctor tells him it is ulceration & that his stomach has shrunk greatly. For over a month he ate only milk, very frequently – had no pain but has become very weak – has gone to bed – artificial feeding has been resorted to. He is in a very dangerous condition. Collis [Holliday] came home from office… Dr. tells he has a grip [gripe: influenza, fever & muscle aches] – Ed Ford died in Oneonta last wk.” Document: HEH Coll MS 10968 uncat (E. Burke Holladay Journal) Huntington Library SM CA
Sat. Mar. 3, 1922 Huntington Mansion – 6 Dinner Guests: “Clara [Huntington] Perkins arrived from Los Gatos & stayed at her fathers [HEH]. Elizabeth & Brockway M. [Metcalf] left for home on 6 pm train.” Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (Burke Holladay Journal) Historical Note: Clara & Elizabeth are H. E. Huntington’s daughters from his first wife Mary Alice Huntington.
Sat. March 18, 1922 – Tea for 8 or 10 guests at Huntington Mansion- San Marino Ranch: “Calling Guests: Holladays, Fairchilds & Bairds: “In the aft., we took Mr. & Mrs. Fairchild & Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Baird to call on Belle & Edwards. Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (Burke Holladay Journal) Could have included, Mr. Geo. Hapgood & Miss Carrie Campbell.
Tues. March 21, 1922 A Exciting Day!! “The Blue Boy” & “Mrs. Siddons” paintings arrived to the San Marino Ranch, hand-delivered by Sir Joseph Duveen; Formal Dinner for 4-6 guests as Duveen is a Houseguest at the Huntington Mansion, San Marino Ranch. Historical note: Before Gainsborough “The Blue Boy’ ever left London, there was a huge art exhibition with him (very successful) in London & another one in New York City (lines around the block for people just to see “Blue Boy”).
Sunday, April 16, 1922 Easter Sunday at the San Marino Ranch or Hotel Huntington or Howard Huntington’s family .
May 10, 1922 Luncheon Menu 11:00pm-11:45AM at Palace Hotel, San Francisco, CA. It was the 53th anniversary of driving the “Golden spike” (RR) at “Promontory Point, Utah USA, the Central Pacific Railroad & the Union Pacific Railroad making the Transcontinental Railroad Line across American. Palace Hotel Luncheon Menu: California Oyster Cocktail, Clear Oxtail Soup, Fried Filet of Sole with Tartar Sauce, Parsley Potatoes, Broiled Chicken on toast, String Beans, Salad, Ice Cream Course, Cake & Coffee. Document: Southern Pacific Bulletin Magazine Vol. 7 Vol. 11-12 pages 5 San Francisco, CA June 19, 1922 Historical Note: I don’t know for sure if HEH & ADH attended this luncheon. But they had a enormous amounts of stocks still in this Southern Pacific Company. Collis Huntington had everything to do with those trains meeting together in Utah. But Stanford actually drove the golden spike into the railroad ties. In honor of Collis Huntington, it is highly likely the Huntingtons went to this event up in San Francisco, CA.
Sat. June 17, 1922 Huntington Mansion, San Marino Ranch: “Edwards & Belle left for the east [NYC] this eve from LA via U.P. [Union Pacific Co.] At 8, They were accompanied by Carrie Campbell [ADH’s personal Sec’y]. Edward [HEH] came to see us at about 3:30 and we went over to say goodbye after 5:00pm. Belle is feeling quite badly- severe pain in her back & dreads the trip back – wishes she could stay here, she says. they have been here since Jan1st – they leave expecting to see us in NY -July 2nd” Document: HEH Coll MS 10968 9E. Burke Holladay’s Journal at Huntington Library San Marino Ranch, CA
After June 24, 1922 Mr. & Mrs. Henry E. Huntington sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from NYC to France, most likely the ship was “RMS Olympic”. They often took the same ship going to Europe & the one coming home to the USA from Europe.
On Oct. 30,1922 The H. E. Huntingtons (Arabella) & their large entourage arrive in New York Harbor. Then the Huntington’s chauffeur would have driven them in their limousines drove them to Huntington Mansion at No. 2 E. 57th St. NYC: Mr. & Mrs. Henry “Edwards” Huntington (Arabella) have arrived home by steamship: “RMS Olympic” (Cunard). they are traveling with a large entourage of numerous servants and employees. Document: HEH Coll. MS 12/1-30 Chateau Beauregard documents at the Huntington Library San Marino, CA
Thursday Nov 30, 1922 Huntington Mansion, San Marino Ranch, CA 8-20 or more dinner guests with Belle and H. “Edwards” Huntington : “We 4 [Holladays] went to home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm Harrison 2400 Western Ave LA. Dinner at 2:30pm other guests Admiral and Mrs. Eberle & Mr. & Mrs. Denis. Eve. We had dinner with Belle & Edwards [Huntington]”. Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (E. Burke Holladays Journal).
Historical Note: Burke Holladay stops jotting down details in his journals & states “Others were there”. There could have possibly been 8- 20 or more people at the Huntington Thanksgiving Dinner: HEH, Belle, Carrie (HEH’s sister) & her husband: E. Burke Holladay with their son, Collis Holliday & their daughter- Helen Holladay & her boyfriend Ord, Mrs. Howard “Leslie” Huntington & her 6 children, Miss Carrie Campbell & Mr. Geo. Hapgood. Also, HEH’s 3 daughters, Elizabeth & her husband Brockway Metcalf & their 4 children, Clara “Peggy & her husband Perkins & their 3 children & HEH’s youngest daughter, Marion Huntington. The year of 1922, the Huntingtons had lost Howard E. Huntington to cancer. It is highly likely that the Huntington family were together for Thanksgiving Dinner at the Ranch.
Mon. Dec. 25, 1922 Christmas Day Huntington Mansion SMR, 14-16 Dinner guests at 2:00pm: ” We all 4 [Holladays] took Christmas Dinner at 2:00pm with Belle & Edwards [Huntington] Leslie & her children except the baby were there. At night, we C & I had Christmas Dinner with the Arnolds.” Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (E. Burke Holladays Journal)
Historical Note: Widower Mrs. Howard E. Huntington (Leslie Huntington) came to luncheon/dinner with her children: Elizabeth, Margaret, Teddy, Henry Jr. Harriet, no baby David [Huntington]. Also, Mr. Hapgood & Carrie Campbell would have most likely attended this Christmas feast with the Huntingtons. It was unusual for the Huntingtons to be located at the Ranch at Christmas time. But Mr. H. E. Huntington just had lost his son to stomach cancer.
Also, The Huntingtons had a large reception tea on Christmas Day. It was for all the Ranch employees & Huntington house servants that lived on the San Marino Ranch. There was Christmas music, the Large Christmas tree in foyer between the grand staircase. The house would have been decorated inside & outside with Christmas wreaths, Christmas Creches (Nativity scenes) & bright red poinsettias from Mexico. With magical Christmas decorations, and fancy French Christmas ornaments & lots of presents giving out to them. They enjoy tea food & Christmas Sherry Tea [ a Pasadena tradition] or Champagne Punch would have been served; with Hot Cocoa for the children most likely. Maybe, Santa himself might have visited the party to give out gifts, also. Remember, Mrs. Huntington loved Christmas, it didn’t matter where she was located, Paris, New York City, or San Marino Ranch. Arabella Huntington would have made Christmas a special occasion on the San Marino Ranch.
Documents;
Document: HEH Coll. MS 10968 (E. Burke Holladays Journal)
Document: HEH Coll. MS 12/1-30 Chateau Beauregard documents at the Huntington Library San Marino, CA
Inside the Huntington's Story 