losangelescounty

Apparently President Taft enjoyed a good meal!

The Washington Post (1877-1954) - Washington, D.C. Date: Oct 17, 1911 Start Page: 4 Pages: 1 Text Word Count: 647 Los Angeles, Cal., Oct. 16. -- President Taft spent today in insurgent southern California, and received a hearty welcome in Los Angeles and Pasadena. The streets were thronged, and there were cheers all along the route. It was entirely a nonpartisan reception, Senator Works and Gov. Hiram Johnson, of the insurgent wing of the Republican party, accompanying Mr. Taft on all his travels. pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/242...

The images actually show President Taft in Oakland for the Cornerstone ceremony for Oakland City Hall on October 13, 1911. Oakland Mayor Frank K. Mott (1866-1958) is to the right of Taft, and Governor Hiram Johnson (1866-1945) is behind Taft (but cut in half). Sources: The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]), 14 Oct. 1911. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. ( chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1911-10-14/ed-...) The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]), 14 Oct. 1911. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1911-10-14/ed-...)

Wighing between 23 and 25 stone, Taft was a MASSIVE man But in this picture, siting down, he looks even more massive than we know he was.

This cannot be Rancho Santa Anita in Los Angeles County. No portion of it is near the ocean or has a view of it. It may be a Rancho Santa Anita in Santa Barbara County?

Perhaps these guys inspired the 1929 song, "The Gay Caballero." .

They certainly weren't as concerned as many guys would be today about posing in a very "gay" situation!