Susanna Road and Bryant Road, Long Beach
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California’s water woes have led a growing number of homeowners to plant native shrubs and flowers. One of the earliest enthusiasts for native flora and fauna was from Long Beach. KPCC’s Kitty Felde says it’s another Street Story.
Kitty Felde: In 1911, Susanna Bixby took over the family cattle ranch and citrus groves. She was the only female in the Sunkist growers’ cooperative. But Pam Seager, Executive Director of the Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation, says her real passion was native plants.
Pam Seager: Susanna was a very independent thinker, a very avante guard kind of person. She married Harry Huntington’s surgeon, Dr. Bryant, and in Long Beach, there’s both Susanna Road and a Bryant Road.
Felde: In 1927, Susanna Bixby Bryant established a botanic garden specializing in California natives. Today that garden thrives at Claremont College. It’s called the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.
