A refreshing view of the lives of Henry Edwards and Arabella Huntington and the institution they created, drawn from original documents and letters in the Huntington archives. Written by a longtime Huntington docent, the book documents Huntington's business enterprises, including the development of the railroads in Southern California. It also records what we know about Arabella Huntington's mysterious background and first marriage to Collis Huntington. The purchase of the ranch in San Marino, the subsequent development of the library and art collections, and the creation of the gardens are also described. A final chapter, "Arrangements for the Future," provides insight into the way the founder's plans shaped the unique educational and cultural institution of today.