Arcadia’s Historic Derby Restaurant May Be Relocated

Demolition derby:is erasing history a developer’s horse race in Arcadia?

By Terry Miller

ArcadiaWeekly has learned of yet another new mixed-use project up for discussion by CityCouncil.

On Tuesdayevening, a study session at Arcadia City Hall involved a proposed mixed-useproject at 211-233 East Huntington, the site of the historic The Derbyrestaurant and Embassy Suites Hotel.

It has notbeen a good year for restaurants and hotels. The Derby, as with all otherrestaurants, has had to cut business — mostly to dinners and takeout due topandemic mandates.

Thesignificant project will require robust planning and may take years, ifapproved. However, local historians and community members are crying foul as itappears that part of Arcadia’s history is once again possibly threatened to bewiped out by bulldozers, much like the Anoakia 50-room mansion/estate in 1999.Anoakia was the historic home of Lucky Baldwin’s daughter and was razed in 1999a council decision despite considerable public outcry.

SandySnider, a local historian, expressed concern that the 99-year-old building mayjust end up being razed. The owner of The Derby and developers insist there isno threat to the restaurant at all. Essentially, according to developers, TheDerby will simply move and a large mixed-use development will occupy thatspace.

Contrary toMayor Roger Chandler and Councilman Sho Tay, Councilmembers April Verlato andTom Beck have reservations of such a project, which involves residential unitson Huntington Drive. “I’d prefer to see a mixed-use development closer to theGold Line station,” Verlato said Tuesday.

While thedaunting and exceedingly large project is massive, Councilman Paul Chengsupports the relocation of The Derby.

Chandlersaid the proposed mixed-use project would “light up the area” and people wouldfrequent other area restaurants along that part of Huntington Drive.

Beck andVerlato expressed concern over the initial proposal’s size and location for aresidential project. Two other major issues were brought up by Beck andVerlato: parking and the fate of the adjacent parcel, where the now permanentlyclosed Souplantation structure exists.

George Woolfbought The Derby in 1938, originally named the Proctor Tavern when it operatedin 1922. Its proximity to the racetrack attracted horse owners and horsebetters alike. In 1931, it moved to its present location at 233 E. HuntingtonDrive. It was here that Woolf became co-owner in 1938 with his partner BillPeterson. Woolf was a premier rider and fate brought him together withSeabiscuit when the scheduled jockey, Red Pollard, was injured. That was toplace Woolf on Seabiscuit during a near miss in a photo-finish of the SantaAnita Handicap, and later, in a victorious match race against Triple Crownwinner, War Admiral. The storied success of its jockey-owner increased TheDerby’s popularity.

In 1946,Woolf was fatally injured when he was thrown from his mount “PleaseMe” during the running of the fourth race at Santa Anita Race Track on Jan.3, 1946. Bronze statues of Woolf and Seabiscuit remain at Santa Anita today.

ArcadiaWeekly will follow this story closely and report any major developments as theycome to light. As always, we welcome community input on this and any otherissues facing the city.

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