We can pinpoint the exact date of Baldwin Park’s christening: March 4th, 1907. That was when the community once known as Vineland agreed to adopt the name of millionaire Elias Jackson “Lucky” Baldwin (1828-1909), who was planning a town on 250 acres of his land. (It was almost called “Baldwinville”.) The original townsite was reportedly subdivided by Charles B. Guthrie, its first sales agent, who laid out Baldwin Drive where Baldwin Park Boulevard now lies. (It was renamed Covina Boulevard c. 1913 and didn’t become Baldwin Park Boulevard until 1950.) He also laid out a Guthrie Street here, but it’s unknown what that roadway’s current name is, as Guthrie and Baldwin Park parted ways within a few months. (Perhaps Lucky Baldwin wasn’t satisfied with his progress.) El Monte merchant-turned-developer Milton Kauffman is credited with really building up Baldwin Park, starting in 1911. The city was finally incorporated in 1956.
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