homestead museum

The museum, which is surprising to find in Industry, tells a fascinating story of early LA history, complete with rags to riches to rags to riches to ?? stories of the former owners.

Great displays of local history. From the time that this area was part of Mexico to the 1930s. Very interesting and small enough for 6 year olds to appreciate.

Once a year they hold a Victorian Day Picnic which is great fun for those who enjoy dance, and music of that era. There are educational displays of lace making, a fashion show showing how Victorians dressed, games, and merchants selling interesting items. Watch for the bicycles from that period. This is a very family friendly event with lots to do and see. There is plenty of parking.

The homes are behind a wall and you have to take a guided tour. It starts at the workman house which is a wonderful adobe structure. The guide was very knowledgeable. But after the workman house you are led to La Casa Nueva. This was a real treat, the interesting thing is over the years the family lost then regained the property a few times. Today it is run by the city. In 1917 Walter P. Temple used wealth from an oil discovery to repurchase 75 acres of the original family rancho. On this property he had the new house built. By the early 1930s, the Temple family lost the house and it became a boys' military school and a convalescent hospital before it was acquired by the City of Industry in the mid 1960s. There is no entrance fee but they do accept donations.

I spent a most enjoyable afternoon touring the historic homes, gardens and cemetery that make up this museum. The Spanish-Colonial style home is truly a hidden gem of Southern California. It was absolutely lovely, superbly maintained and beautifully decorated. My tour guide, Mr. Eldon Dunn, knew everything there was to know about its history and was also very entertaining! I give this museum my highest recommendation.(And the price is right....free admission!)