Whittier in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Greek George

Grave of George Caralambo

Whittier Historical Society & Museum, 2020

1. Greek George Marker

Inscription.
Greek George, born in Smyrna as George Caralambo, came to this country as a camel driver for the United States Government in 1857.
Naturalized -- George Allen in 1867.
Died Sept. 2, 1913 at Old Mission.

Historical marker erected by Whittier Parlor No. 298 Native Daughters of the Golden West, courtesy of F. G. Simmons and R.D. White, June 30,1956.

Erected 1956 by Native Daughters of the Golden West. (Marker Number 646.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1956.

Location. 33° 59.209′ N, 118° 2.784′ W. Marker is in Whittier, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Citrus Avenue north of Broadway, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6031 Citrus Ave, Whittier CA 90601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

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It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Reform School for Juvenile Offenders (approx. 0.7 miles away); President Nixon Law Office (approx. ¾ mile away); Learning A Trade (approx. 0.8 miles away); Whittier Citrus Association - Big and Busy (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fred C. Nelles (approx. 0.8 miles away); Jonathan Bailey House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Architecture and Reform (approx. 0.9 miles away); Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whittier.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Reform School for Juvenile Offenders (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. In 1977 all headstones were permanently removed, and the cemetery was covered with fill dirt and

Courtesy Whittier Public Library, June 30, 1956

2. Greek George Marker

Dedication of the memorial gravemarker of Greek George. Although this is a Native Daughters' dedication, the gentleman in the photo is the Grand President of the Native Sons, Alfred P. Peracca.

transformed into a public park. It was decided to develop the property into a park after it was declared a public nuisance in 1959. The remains of the unclaimed are still there, and the names of the deceased are listed on a memorial at the park. The present park walkways follow the original cemetery paths.

The historical marker for Greek George is currently on display at the Whittier Museum, 6755 Newlin Ave, Whittier, open Tue-Fri 9-4, Sat 1-4.

Regarding Greek George. This is California Historic Landmark No. 646, Grave of George Caralambo (Greek George) —
This is the grave of 'Greek George,' a camel driver from Asia Minor who came to the United States with the second load of camels purchased by the War Department as an experiment to open a wagon road to Fort Tejón from Fort Defiance, New Mexico. Because of the Civil War, the experiment was abandoned. 'Greek George' became a naturalized citizen in 1867 under the name of George Allen. He built an adobe home on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Also see . . . Whittier Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on October 7, 2020.)

Mount Olive Cemetery Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

3. Mount Olive Cemetery Memorial

Memorial with names of all who are buried here.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2020. This page has been viewed 782 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2020. Photos: 1. submitted on October 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.