Join us as we travel with MiceChatter, Wendygirl, to the campus of Cal State Pomona, about 30 minutes north of Disneyland. This is the site of the Kellogg family (think corn flakes) summer home and has been beautifully maintained as a historical attraction. Also on campus is the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, home to 85 purebred Arabian horses. ~~Rick
Today, I went with a group of Seniors on a brand new bus to tour the Kellogg House – yes, that Kellogg, the cereal maker – and the Arabian Horse Farm which is on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona.
This plaque is on the front of the house.
Myron Hunt, a distinguished southland architect whose projects included the Pasadena Rose Bowl and the Huntington Library, was commissioned to design W.K. Kellogg’s new west coast estate. Charles Gibbs Adams, a colorful character whose work was popular among many silent screen stars, was selected to landscape the grounds. One of his more notable commissions was the Hearst Castle garden in San Simeon California. Kellogg purchased his first 377 acres of land from rancher Cecil George in 1925, for $250,000. The main house was built at a cost of $150,000. [LINK]
The front door.
I don’t remember what this room was called. It was next to the dining room and may have been the family dining room or breakfast room.
Looking into the kitchen.
The flooring in the kitchen. This is not the original flooring which had to be torn out but looks like the original.
After the house was deeded to the State, when WWII started it was turned over to the government. The government however had no use for it and they were going to auction it off. Mr. Kellogg got the house back for $1. It’s a long story.
The main room in the house. This is where we were told the story of the Kellogg family and this home which was built in 1926. It was the families Winter home because their main home was in Battlecreek, Michigan. All the original furnishings were auctioned off in 1949. What is now in the home are donations or reproductions. Thanks to an article and photos in a 1928 issue of Architectural Digest, they had something to go on when they redid the house.
Lovely organ (which is operational) and on the left a grand piano in the main room.
Mrs. Kellogg’s bedroom. This would be the second Mrs. Kellogg as the first Mrs. Kellogg died when she was 32.
The other side of her room.
Another sleeping porch.
On the small statue of the horse are these words “Assaf (King John) Desert bred Arabian Stallion from Egypt used as model for Prince Charming’s horse in the Disney classic ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ “. Pretty neat. Also this horse was Mr. Kellogg’s favorite horse.
After the house tour we boarded the bus and drove over the have a delicious lunch at the Conference Center. It was a buffet and very nice. I should have taken pictures in there!
Very lovely place. I did not know they ran a hotel there!
After lunch we again boarded the bus and head to the horse farm.
The W. K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center traces its origins back to 1925, when the late W. K. Kellogg, founder of the Kellogg Company in Battle Creek, Michigan, purchased land and built his ranch in Pomona. In 1949, Kellogg donated his ranch to the state of California, providing that (1) the property be used for educational purposes, and (2) the traditional Arabian horse shows, started by Kellogg in 1926 to demonstrate the beauty and versatility of the Arabian horse, be continued. The program at Cal Poly Pomona has been developed with these wishes in mind.
The Center occupied the original Kellogg stables prior to the dedication of the existing facility on April 6, 1974. It is home to approximately 85 purebred Arabian horses used in Equine Sciences’ teachings, outreach, research and internationally recognized breeding and training programs. Facilities at the center include 38 acres of pasture, three barns, foaling stalls, a breeding area, a veterinary clinic, a farrier shop, four arenas and a grandstand. [LINK]
The first Sunday of every month from October through May, they put on a horse show at 2 PM. Cost in minimal, something like $4
Isn’t he cute? He’s only a little over a week old. So far there have been 13 births this season and they expect 3 more births within the next few week.
A surrogate mommy horse. Many of the female Arabian show horses do not give birth to their own babies. Also, some people contract with the facility to have their horses brought there so their horse can give birth in a great place.
On the Foal Pole they post a colored flag when a colt is born – pink for a girl and blue for a boy. This horse is being cooled down after having been out riding for exercise.
We went outside to see the horses and their colts. These colts are a bit older, the oldest one was born in February.
Thank you Wendygirl for sharing your adventure with us!