Back in the early 1930s, Robert and Edith Van Ness read an article in the Saturday Evening Post titled "Gold in Goldfish". It told of the riches to be made raising goldfish. Robert was a plasterer by trade and had been advised for health reasons to find another line of work. Goldfish seemed to be the answer. The Van Ness' purchased some property in San Antonio Heights - the foothills area north of Upland at the base of Mount Baldy. Using native granite boulders to build waterfalls, a grotto and stonewalls, Robert Van Ness soon had a number of ponds for goldfish breeding.
Edith Van Ness was an avid gardener and planted water lilies to adorn the ponds. The lilies made a spectacular sight and travelers were soon stopping to admire and purchase the lilies and fish. The first Van Ness Water Gardens catalog was published in 1932. It contained eight pages of plants and tips and a reminder to Californians that the sales tax was 2-1/2%! A catalog has been published every year except 1944 when war conditions prevented printing more than a price list. One of the depression-era catalogs advised, a water garden will be "not only a thing of beauty, but a great source of comfort during these days of stress".
Narrative provided by Van Ness Water Gardens website.
Edith Van Ness was an avid gardener and planted water lilies to adorn the ponds. The lilies made a spectacular sight and travelers were soon stopping to admire and purchase the lilies and fish. The first Van Ness Water Gardens catalog was published in 1932. It contained eight pages of plants and tips and a reminder to Californians that the sales tax was 2-1/2%! A catalog has been published every year except 1944 when war conditions prevented printing more than a price list. One of the depression-era catalogs advised, a water garden will be "not only a thing of beauty, but a great source of comfort during these days of stress".
Narrative provided by Van Ness Water Gardens website.
Back in the early 1930s, Robert and Edith Van Ness read an article in the Saturday Evening Post titled "Gold in Goldfish". It told of the riches to be made raising goldfish. Robert was a plasterer by trade and had been advised for health reasons to find another line of work. Goldfish seemed to be the answer. The Van Ness' purchased some property in San Antonio Heights - the foothills area north of Upland at the base of Mount Baldy. Using native granite boulders to build waterfalls, a grotto and stonewalls, Robert Van Ness soon had a number of ponds for goldfish breeding.
Edith Van Ness was an avid gardener and planted water lilies to adorn the ponds. The lilies made a spectacular sight and travelers were soon stopping to admire and purchase the lilies and fish. The first Van Ness Water Gardens catalog was published in 1932. It contained eight pages of plants and tips and a reminder to Californians that the sales tax was 2-1/2%! A catalog has been published every year except 1944 when war conditions prevented printing more than a price list. One of the depression-era catalogs advised, a water garden will be "not only a thing of beauty, but a great source of comfort during these days of stress".
Narrative provided by Van Ness Water Gardens website.
Edith Van Ness was an avid gardener and planted water lilies to adorn the ponds. The lilies made a spectacular sight and travelers were soon stopping to admire and purchase the lilies and fish. The first Van Ness Water Gardens catalog was published in 1932. It contained eight pages of plants and tips and a reminder to Californians that the sales tax was 2-1/2%! A catalog has been published every year except 1944 when war conditions prevented printing more than a price list. One of the depression-era catalogs advised, a water garden will be "not only a thing of beauty, but a great source of comfort during these days of stress".
Narrative provided by Van Ness Water Gardens website.
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