13421 Camilla St
Whittier, CA 90601, USA

Jonathan Bailey House - National Register of Historic Places

Statement of Significance:

The structure which we are nominating for entry in the National Register is a simple ranch house of frame construction. Jacob F. Gerkens filed claim under the 1862 Act of Congress ("An Act Donating Public Lands to the Several States and Territories which May Provide Colleges for the Benefit of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts”) to a one quarter, section Homestead’ on December 2, 1868, for which he paid 15234, Before this date he built a small redwood cabin with a loft above on the property. Barley was planted on a portion of the land and the balance used to graze sheep. The land passed to R.M. Town (March 25, I870) and then through foreclosure and sale at public auction December 10, 1879, to John M, Thomas, beginning in 1873 Thomas had rented the land from R.M. Town that he later acquired. Thomas used the land for a sheep ranch. He lived in Los Angeles, and when he came out to look after the ranch, he stayed in the house. Thomas acquired title through purchase and public auction to approximately 1259 acres in the arear during 1880 and 1881, for which he paid $4002, according to recorded deeds. The Thomas Ranch, or Mustard Ranch as it was also known, became a landmark for all crossing the wide plain or mesa. Pepper trees surrounded the house, and this green patch could be seen all the way from Los Angeles. August 13, 1886, John M. Thomas sold this property to J, Mill’s Boal et ai for 133,000. May 3, I887, the 1259 acres were purchased by the Pickering Land and Water Company for $69,890 for the establishment of a Quaker community to be named Whittier after the New England Quaker poet, John Greenleaiff Whittier, On May 11, 1887, Jonathan Bailey and his wife, Rebecca, moved into the ranch house and became the first residents of Whittier, their house was the first building in Whittier, Four days later the first Quaker Meeting in the new town was held on the front porch. Anyone who cared to attend was welcome. The Pickering Land and Water Company was formed and the election of officers held in the barn behind the house. Jonathan Bailey was named fir.st president. This house was the center of Whittier's business, social and religious activities during the formative years. Rebecca planted here the first garden in Whittier. Members of the family continued to live in and/or own the house until 1973. In 1973 ’the Whittier Heritage Association was formed to "Save the Bailey House", The property was purchased and restored and deeded to the citizens of Whittier on January 7, 1975, and renamed the Jonathan Bailey House and Park, the development, restoration and preservation of this first home of Whittier is one of Whittier's Bicentennial Projects, The Bicentennial flag is flown in front of the Bailey House and the Whittier Logo used at the home.