PHOTO: Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenan.com News | Attendant feeds oranges to the ostriches (1906)
Edwin Cawston courted the early-20th-century public’s fascination with exotic foreign creatures when he began raising ostriches, for more than the use of their feathers in the clothing industry.
When Cawston brought the enormous, flightless, African birds onto prime real estate in the Arroyo Seco of South Pasadena, more than a few observers thought that the looniest bird might be him.
PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Cawston Ostrich Farm in South Pasadena Top left to right solar power experiment entrance feather fashion Bottom left to right farm grounds retail chain LA storefront
One of the Strangest Sights in America
Edwin Cawston was determined to showcase struthio camelus, the biggest bird in the world at eight vertical feet and 350 pounds. The Cawston Ostrich Farm soon became one of the most popular Southern California attractions, drawing millions to watch people ride the birds bareback at a cruising speed of 35 miles per hour.
PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Trainer takes a guest for a wild ride 1921PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Crowd gathers for trainers riding ostriches bareback 1914PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Attendant is on the run when the oranges run out 1929PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Attendant demonstrates the height of an ostrich and its desire to be fed 1911PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Cawston brochure showing some of the more curious features of the ostrich farm extraordinaire 1908PHOTO Rick Thomas Collection | SouthPasadenancom News | Visitor of the world famous ostrich farm poses for a souvenir photo 1912
Throwback Thursday is written and produced by Rick Thomas
