The Ostrich Farm was established in 1889 at Hill Street, between Main Street and Washington Blvd. on Ocean Park, on a 7 acre tract with 34 fenced-in birds. The ostrich farm began in Cahuenga Valley, was in Griffith Park and finally moved to Santa Monica. The farm owner, Dr. Charles S. Sketchley, an Englishman, brought the birds from South Africa where he had an ostrich farm. His plan was to build a park and menagerie, which was finally moved to Santa Monica for accessibility. The birds' large, plumy, white feathers were harvested about every eight weeks and used as decoration on hats worn by ladies. When the park lost its appeal as a tourist attraction, the remaining ostriches were moved to Anaheim in 1895.
