"April 25, 1906
Famed actress Mme. Helena Modjeska placed her ranch near Los Angeles at the disposal of refugees from San Francisco and other cities affected by earthquake and fire."

Blue Dawn Flower covered the fences at Arden and what a wonderful way to greet a new day at Helena Modjeska's Home. She and her husband were known far and wide for their hospitality.
We must put all of this into perspective.

It took four hours to travel from El Toro and all day from Santa Ana.
How long would it take from San Francisco? Yet, people came.

On November 11th the Modjeska Foundation, Modjeska Docents and Canyon Residents honor the Modjeska Volunteer Fire Department - "Sweet 16" - at their yearly Pot Luck on the grounds of Arden. Mme. Modjeska would have been thrilled to be in attendance at such a great tribute. This would have been her idea of a grand celebration.
We remember the story of how she first became aware of what was to be "her Arden" in later years. An early pioneer family who had the little house on the property had traveled to Anaheim to meet the great Polish actress they read about. They invited Mme. Modjeska and her husband to visit them sometime in their Canyon. Sometime later Mme. Modjeska and Count Bozenta decided one day to take them up on their invitation and they came by horse and buggy to see the Pleasants. The Pleasants were not home but it was a turning point in Modjeska's life, she fell in love with the Canyon. As it was getting late, the nearest neighbor, up in Harding Canyon put them up for the night, and they returned home to Anaheim the next morning.
Over the years her company included many famous actors, musicians, artists, and just good friends of the theatre. She loved having her home bursting at the seams with guests. She loved to cook great meals on her wood stove and later in the evening, play musical instruments, sing and dance the night away. She an her husband loved sharing the traditions of their native land with their new found friends in America.

Modjeska Canyon was founded on Great Hospitality and it continues to this day.
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