CHAPTER I BACKGROUND 11

II THE VERY LITTLE GIRL 18

III DOWN IN MAINE 32

IV FATHER’S STORY 45

V DRIVING SHEEP ACROSS THE PLAINS 55

VI RANCHO SAN JUSTO 69

VII LOS ALAMITOS AND LOS CERRITOS 76

VIII THE RANCH STORY CONTINUED 109

IX FLOCKS AND HERDS 125

X EL PUEBLO DE NUESTRA SEÑORA LA REINA DE LOS ANGELES 133

XI MORE ABOUT LOS ANGELES 151

XII THE BACK COUNTRY AND THE ADMIRAL 164

XIII SCHOOL DAYS 185

XIV PIONEERING AT POMONA COLLEGE 194

XV CONCLUSION 208

FOREWORD

Several years ago I wrote a short account of my childhood, calling it _A Little Girl of Old California_. At the suggestion of friends, I have expanded the material to make this book.

The recent discovery of diaries kept by Dr. Thomas Flint during two pioneer trips to this coast which he made in company with my father, and the generous permission to make use of them granted me by his sons, Mr. Thomas Flint and Mr. Richard Flint, have added much to the interest of the subject. I at first contemplated including them in this volume, but it has seemed wiser to publish them separately and they are now available through the publications of the Southern California Historical Society.

My information regarding the earlier history of the Cerritos Ranch was supplemented by data given me by my cousin, the late George H. Bixby.

The interesting letter predicting the development of the harbor at San Pedro, written by Admiral Henry Knox Thatcher to my grandfather, Rev. George W. Hathaway, is the gift of my aunt, Miss Martha Hathaway.

I wish here to express my gratitude to my husband, Paul Jordan Smith, and to my friend, Mrs. Hannah A. Davidson, for their constant encouragement to me during the preparation of _Adobe Days_.

SARA BIXBY-SMITH

Claremont, California October, 1925

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NOTE TO SECOND EDITION

For certain suggestions and information which have been incorporated in this revised edition I wish to thank Mrs. Mary S. Gibson, Mrs. D. G. Stephens, Prof. Jose Pijoan and Mr. Charles Francis Saunders.

S. B. S.

Sept. 1926.