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Giselle Brito
Professor Kirsten Resnick
History 301
December 4, 2013
Field Trip at Heritage Park
For my fieldtrip, I went to visit Heritage Park which is located in the City of Santa Fe
Springs. Heritage Park was established in 1987 by Santa Fe Springs. This site, they have restored
buildings and gardens that once prospered in the 1800s through 1900s. The park tells stories of
the original people of this region, which were: the Tongva/Gabrielino Indians which is a dramatic
exhibit nestled within the trees. This appears on the parks west side. Also, when going inside the
main entrance, there is a railroad exhibit which features a vintage A.T. and S.F. steam
locomotive. There is also, a large adobe home that built during the Mexican rule. This adobe
home was occupied by a powerful Mexican name Patricio Ontiveros. The adobe home was
interesting to watch. In the historical site it explains that, Patricio Ontiveros and his family, were
among the Spanish Mexican settlers of the West called Californios.1 Ontiveros was a retired
soldier who served as a mayordomo of Mission San Juan Capistrano. He was responsible for the
missions vast cattle herds. Later on, he became the justice of peace. Which leads up to him
building the large three-room adobe home in Heritage Park. Ontiveros and his family were
actually wealthy, but yet, their rancho life was difficult. His family members usually would get
up before dawn and would go to bed after sunset. Patricio Ontiveros, would spent his day
watching the cowboys. Meanwhile, Ontiveros wife would manage the household servants and
would prepare the food and clothing. The site has an area in which plants and water are being
displayed. The Tongva/Gabrielino Indians, would use the native plants to make their homes,
1 Historical Site

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clothing, food, medicine, refreshments, basketry, and tools. Their most important food source
was the oak. Also, the grasses were used to create beautiful baskets in California. The Tongva
built their towns and villages along the rivers and streams.
In Heritage Park, an event actually occurred during the nineteenth century. There was a brick
fireplace that was built by Slushers sometime after 1919, and they survived the fire that
destroyed the estates 22 room ranch house in 1941. Also, the chimney above the fireplace stood
until 1987, when damage from the Whittier earthquake forced its removal.2 Another event
happened during this time, but it was not a tragic event, it was actually an event that would
always take place in Heritage Park. There is a garden there where its full of flowers, plants, trees,
and water fountains. They called this place Fairyland. That is where certain events like
weddings would take place and currently this park still have weddings. The trees and plants in
this area were important symbols of wealth, culture and security. At that time, Americans were
fascinated by stories and photographs of foreign lands, and also the collections of unusual plants
were an outgrowth of this interest. This specific garden, many immigrants planted seeds from
their native lands as reminders of home.
Furthermore, in the newspaper Los Angeles Times states that, A contract for the restoration of
Heritage Park, a small enclave of turn of the century buildings inside an industrial park, was
awarded. 3 It is good to know that the park was awarded for the restoration of Heritage Park. In
the article, Heritage Park: A Gateway Citys Secret Garden, explains that, Fairyland as it was
called once upon a time in the early 20th century; the former ranch estate is a blend history and
scenic respite amidst rolling trucks and intersections of Los Angeles Countys busiest freeways
just outside its wrought iron gates. 4 I think the secret garden was called once upon a time
2 Historical Site
3 Santa Fe Springs: Heritage Park Contract. Los Angeles Times Jan. 01, 1987
4 Heritage Park: A Gateway Citys Secret Garden. May 30, 2013.

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fairyland, because as mentioned earlier, it was a garden in which people would get together and
have weddings, speak with each other and such. Even the way it looks now, its very beautiful and
relaxing as well. I have been to Heritage Park a couple of times now and one of the days that I
was there, a wedding was actually going on. I have to say, it looked beautiful. Heritage Park also
has a caf, in which people can pass by and buy sandwiches, soups, salads, snacks and desserts.
Therefore, when going on a field trip with students, they can either bring their own lunch or buy
some food at the caf. In the newspaper, Los Angeles Times, explains that, The council
approved financing for the park and selected architectural firm to design the reconstruction of
19th century buildings and botanical gardens on the ranch and orchard once known as the
showplace of Los Angeles County. 5 I think Heritage Park is a great place to visit and hangout
either with family, friends, or even a school field trip. There is a lot of information to learn about
and it is interesting to see how the place may have looked before and comparing it to how it
looks now. I recommend for teachers, students, and others to check out the place. They will
definitely like it.

5 Melinda Burns. Santa Fe Springs Hires Designer: Heritage Park Realized As City Sets Financing. Los Angeles
Times. Aug. 01, 1985