Governor Merriam dedicated the $50,000 Fred C. Nelles gymnasium in honor of the late superintendent, a project which the late Governor Rolph broke ground for.
The ruins of a wall at Pio Pico's El Ranchito stretch across the foreground. A wooden window frame is inset into the left side of the wall. Through the window opening, the west-facing side of El Ranchito stretches into the distance.
The exterior of an adobe mansion, where Governor Pío Pico last lived. A large tree is in front of the mansion. Another building is to the right with a platform of some kind on the roof.
The camera pans up towards a large, latticed tower that rises at center. A single propeller blade caps the orchard heater. About halfway up the tower, a man climbs (J. E. Bowersmith?). Nearer to camera, orange trees just into frame from the lower left and lower right corners, naturally framing the orchard heater's tower.
Dr. Walter F. Dexter, left, president of Whittier College, and former first lady Lou Henry Hoover, right, lead a group of people to the commencement ceremony. Mrs. Hoover and her son, Allan Hoover, were distinguished guests.
Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Mallery, of 13120 Magnolia Boulevard, North Hollywood, the night they held a family dinner followed by a reception of 100 guests at the home of Dr. R. W. Health, 601 High Street, in Whittier.
Lou Henry Hoover, standing to the left of the podium, delivers a speech at W. O. Mendenhall’s inauguration ceremony. The orchestra can be seen behind her and the rest of the distinguished guests sitting to the right, facing the audience.