I'm fairly familiar with the name Phineas Banning. His name is ubiquitous in later 19th century SoCal history. He was there to greet both Horace Bell and Harris Newmark personally, as he did with most new arrivals, dressed like a working man - none too fancy, when they arrived as young men in their early 20s by ship from San Francisco separately in the early 1850's. He was "The Guy" at the port of San Pedro and I believe owned the wagons that conveyed passengers (at top speed!) and deposited them at the Bella Union Hotel shown at right in your parade photo.
I didn't know he was buried at Rosedale also. Thanks!
I have been to see his house from the outside but haven't taken the tour of it and the Drum Barracks yet.
Last edited by fhammon; Jul 4, 2012 at 6:47 AM.
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