H. C. Greve Live Stock Transportation 1920's This photo gives us a look at the early 20th Century Cattle business in California. ~ The LA Union Stock Yard ~ 1923 - 1958 The Stock Yard was called the little Chicago of the Pacific Coast for a reason. Thousands of head of Cattle would pass through the enormous facility on a single day. It was built on the La Mesa battle site of 1847. A monument recording the victory once stood in front of the administration building. In the distance you can still see the Rail spur that stands to this day. Warehouses and a few remnants like Bandini Blvd.(Remember Bandini Mountain) and the city block long Farmer John's plant on Vernon, still eco L.A.'s amazing western past. It's great to share these rare pics of places that aren't here anymore. ~ Stock Certificate ~ From the Los Angeles Union Stockyards Company. It was printed by Chipron Stamp Company, has an ornate border with a vignette of a bison. It was signed by the Company's President, J. A. Swank and Secretary. ~ Christmas Stamp ~ Los Angeles - 4th Annual Christmas Live Stock Show.  Nov. 30th - Dec. 7, 1929 1957 Dairy Valley - Artesia CA. ~ The New Sales Barn ~ The new sales Barn was amazing, and boasted of the first auction ring to use hydraulic gates to allow the cattle in and out. Phssss, and the hydraulic gates would swing open, wranglers whistled, whips cracked and the auctioneer called his bids. Rugged cattle trucks gracefully lined up to loading shoots, and if good I got a Coke at the restaurant and watched the action from the catwalks. I felt like a real Cowboy. ~ Opening Day ~ 1957 Artesia Producers Live Stock Auction. The crowd gets to inspect the new Producers facility. ~Trivia~ In the 50's Producers had an Auction Barn in Northern California that had women as the Wranglers.  It was such a popular idea that Hollywood made a movie about it. (Where The Girls Go?) Catwalk over the live stock pins at the Artisia stockyard. Live Stock Auction on Riverside Dr. in Chino, CA ~ Chino Livestock Auction ~ The L.A Yards were amazing, The Artesia yard, state of the art. But by the time the Chino yard was built, the magic was gone. The land was being sold for houses. The independent rancher was gone, along with most of the packing houses, and community butcher shops that prided themselves on quality. ~ Cattle Buyer ~ My neighbor, Arnold Bolander (at the Artisia Stockyard) is shown here with 2 oxen belonging to actor Ben Johnson's dad. Bill Barker "Producers" manger is in the background. Real American Cowboys - Live Stock Drivers of the Union Stock Yards. ~ The Cowboys ~ These are horse back cowboys, the real thing. Old Timers told me stories about theses guys,they were rip roarin' fun loving, go till you drop - real good guys. Every Fall they would have a Rodeo in the large Arena at the L.A. Union Stock Yards, it was something to see. Williams Bros. Hay and Grain on Pioneer Blvd. in Cerritos, CA ~ The Old Feed Store ~ This busy feed store was on Pioneer Blvd., next to the tracks. Its location is now a high end plaza for what is now little India. The photo shows a 4th of July stove give away. I remember the store like something out of a Sergio Leone Western. Huge plank floors, and menagerie of feed bags, buckets, and cages of rabbits, and ducks. It was great! ~ The Pioneer Bakery ~ The Dutch Bakery was down the street, and in 2002 after 50 years of amazing Dutch pastries, they closed their doors. From the old sign I thought it was a Portuguese Bakery. Dairy Valley - Artesia California was where the Dutch and Portuguese managed the dairies. Our Cattle Ranch on Edison Ave. in Chino, CA ~ The Old Ranch ~ Besides beef, we also sold cattle feed. Our customer base that moved from Artesia to Chino were fun outgoing 1st, and 2nd Gen Dutch, Swedish, Portuguese, and Bask. Dairyman Magazine even did a cover story on Chino's first Chinese Dairy. ~ Best Memories ~ Everyone had their own business, big or small, there was a sense of independence about doing things yourself. It was a small community with mutual goals, and...a great view of the mountains! ~ L.A. Has Forgotten ~ Southern California's cattle history is nearly forgotten. The midwest embraces it's past with historical bronzes, and murals, that offers one a sense of connection in a mostly detached culture. How forward a city like L.A. could be by just opening it's eyes. ~ The End ~ GlobalRoadTrips.com