Arcadia, city, Los Angeles county, California, U.S. It lies at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The region had been inhabited by Tongva (or Gabrielino) Indians before it became part of the original Mission San Gabriel Arcángel holding. The city was laid out in 1888 on lands of what by then had become the privately owned Rancho Santa Anita. It was developed by E.J. (“Lucky”) Baldwin and named for the district in ancient Greece said to symbolize pastoral beauty .

Acadia became an early agricultural centre. The city contained many chicken and horse ranches and fruit groves; it was later promoted as a residential community. Arcadia was often devastated by winter floods until the 1930s, when flood controls were built. Freeway connections to Los Angeles, some 15 miles (25 km) southwest, aided its growth. Arcadia is the site of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden and the Santa Anita Park racetrack. Angeles National Forest, north and east of the city, is a popular recreational destination.

I went to high school in Arcadia, the Maranatha high school, before it was relocated to Pasadena. My best teenage life was in Arcadia. I was there in 1979 to 1984. Taking the bus home from school was an exiting experience comparing to my daily school means of trasnportation back home in Indonesia. I loved the public transport in Arcadia, or  California in general. My days in Arcadia were priceless.

I lived with the Aponno Family in 1717 South Mayflower. I miss Arcadia so much. Hoping one day to come and see Arcadia again.