Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

174 plans, but tr...ere were the Joshua and Calebs - and God. So, the Board took courage and appointed Dr. Sutherland and Mr. Russell Alder, the Business Manager, to serarch for a suitable site on which to relocate fhe-·s~h~l:- After investigating approximately twenty-five locations, finally they were contacted by the representative from the largest real estate company in Southern California, the Coldwell, Banker Trust Company, who discussed the development of a new area in the eastern part of Los Angeles County called La Mirada. This area consisted mainly of large ranches of citrus,- olive groves, and grain, one of which was owned by the McNally family as- sociated with the Rand McNally Map Producers. There was a tiny Railroad Station, referred to as a "Flag Station," where passengers wishing to board · the Passenger Trains commuting between Los Angeles and San Diego could board the train having to make a "flag stop." When the Biola men were in- vited to visit the area, they saw not much more than a market center under construction at Rosecrans and Valley View and a few narrow, dusty roads used chiefly by the large population of jack rabbits which paid little at- tention to these gentlemen from the city. The agent showed them all the sites, except one which he kept back untiJ last. When the Committee saw this, they felt led to recommend it to the Board. The seventy-five acres could be purchased for $337,500.00, with a six month escrow requested by the seller and agreed to by Biola. Interest- ingly enough, before the time expired for escrow, the Company offered to repurchase the land from Biola at a total net profit of $225,000.00 for the School, and they would arrange for another location in the area which was available for a much lower price. The offer was indeed attractive, however, the Board decided to decline the offer and keep the property, which is the present home of Biola University. In the meantime, since Biola would be moving from its old location, they had no use for the "postage stam" lot, and proceeded to place it on the market for sale. God moved in mysterious ways in the disposal of this

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