Robert Symington Baker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Symington Baker
Born	1826 (1826)
Died	1894 (1895)

Robert Symington Baker (1826–1894) was an important businessman and landowner from Rhode Island. He moved to California in 1849 during the exciting time of the California Gold Rush. When he first arrived, he worked in the business of selling supplies to miners. He also had a company called Cook and Baker in San Francisco, California. Later, he partnered with General Beale in the cattle and sheep farming business. They worked in the northern part of California and in the Tejon area.

Building a Business Empire

In 1872, Robert Baker bought a large piece of land called Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica from the Sepulveda family. This land was perfect for his cattle and sheep business. After buying the Rancho, Baker moved to Los Angeles.

Two years later, in 1874, he married Arcadia Bandini de Stearns. The Bakers owned this huge property, which was about 30,000 acres (about 121 square kilometers). Later that same year, they sold three-quarters of the land to a very rich man named John Percival Jones. Jones was famous for making his money in the Comstock Lode silver mines.

Creating Santa Monica

John Jones and Robert Baker decided to divide up part of their shared land. In 1875, they worked together to create the town of Santa Monica. This new town would become a famous city by the ocean.

Jones and Baker also started a company called the Santa Monica Land and Water Company. This company was one of the main groups that helped develop the western part of Los Angeles. In 1878, Robert Baker built a building in Los Angeles known as the Baker Block. Through his wife, he also owned other large properties like Rancho La Puente and Rancho La Laguna. He had many other important business interests too.

Robert Symington Baker was buried at Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles.