An Integral Part

Here is an image of Manuel Garfias - photo taken in 1882.

Let's hope that his image is included somewhere in the 125th anniversary celebration. Or that the image of Doña Eulalia is included, or for that matter, images of Arturo Bandini or Manuel Piñeda.

If you read most of the accounts of the founding of Pasadena, there is included the phrase, "the first non-Hispanic" owner. What that sentence insinuates is that the non-Hispanic owner and the first U.S. owner are automatically mutually exclusive. According to records, Garfias first filed with the U. S. Land Commission in 1852.

To begin history without at least his name makes clear that some groups matter more than others.

People sometimes express upset that different affinity groups are focused on highlighting members of their own community. Often the simplest answer to that sort of concern, and the best way to share history in its fullest, is to make sure as many threads of a community's story are woven into every telling of the tale.