washington posts national political reporter and host robert costa preview the week ahead in washington. then we will discuss the new federal rule requiring hospitals to post prices of various procedures online. be sure to watch washington journal live at seven eastern on monday morning. join the discussion. >> santa monica's founders hoped the city would become a great shipping port in southern california. it became a resort community, which draws millions of visitors every year. we visit the santa monica history museum to learn about the figures who established the city.

>> santa monica was founded as an actual town in 1875. it was founded by two men who were drawn to california by the gold rush. colonel baker came to california in 1849. he made his fortune not through actual prospecting but by selling supplies to minors. he came down to southern california and purchased large areas of ranchland in 1872. the other founders senator john percival jones. californiaes came to in 1850 as a young man. he was born in england and moved to cleveland. he came to california to seek his fortune. he took the round the horn journey. he went by boat with several

flat that several friends all francisco,to san which was one of the ways to get to california at that time. we have the trunk he took on the journey here. senator jones was immediately recognized for his people and leadership skills. became a sheriff in a small town in california, then he was appointed to the california legislature. into prospecting. that took him to nevada. involved with the comstock load, which was a silver mine that was very successful. to thed up being elected senate. that's probably call him senator jones. he came down to us -- to

southern california and purchased a large percentage of colonel baker's land from him in 1874. made up west los angeles and santa monica. the two of them came up with a plan to develop the santa monica itself as a townsite. they laid out a town. it included the coastal areas. what wemaller than would know santa monica to be today, but still a good-sized town. they held in land auction in oceanfront lots went 400 and $500. other lots come inland lots for $75 apiece.

they deal at that time. the virtues were spoken by the auctioneers. they talk about the flowers, the healthy climate, the beautiful view and healthy ocean air. this is a time when people seeking climates and resorts for people to stay to get healthy in the late 1800. that's what made santa monica very attractive. also its proximity to los angeles was attractive, and the impending railroad edition helped. married to a was woman called arcadia baker. she was from a wealthy california family in san diego. she had her own landholding.

so they joined forces. she is known as an excellent businesswoman and philanthropist and genuinely very involved in society at the time. we do know she only spoke spanish, so she had an interpreter to help her at social events. she played tennis, she went to the beach, she inspected different landholdings. we credit arcadia with setting aside all the land and santa for schools, parks and churches. was a visionary of her time. she worked closely with senator jones. colonel baker removed himself from the business side of things early on. arcadia attache acquire the rights to manage his affairs and the land. she and jones were really the

ones to develop this area. the two of them together also gave the land for what was the west los angeles veterans administration. they donated the land to the united states government, and did much of the work to develop planning the building, landscaping, all that. arcadia was known to go there and visit the soldiers. though he was away a lot, his family was very active in santa monica. his wife was known as a supporter of the suffragette movement. she was active in local social causes. from theirecord guestbook at home that has the signature of susan b anthony.

senator jones, because of his involvement with the comstock lode, fat of a way to bring all of that silver to market. he built a railroad from nevada to los angeles. it was the los angeles and independence railroad. he ended up going into business with huntington to develop a railroad and wharf in santa monica bay. wharf intomile-long santa monica bay, which is called the mile-long wharf were mile-long pew. it essentially allowed the trains to go out into the bay to meet ships to transport cargo. they both have discrete idea that santa monica could be the official port of los angeles. congress, there

is much work behind the scenes to get this through. santa monica was competing with san pedro. fortunately for us they lost out. joe received the designation as the official port of los angeles. our bay has remained clean and beautiful. industry.ave all the a beautiful place for the residents as well. >> our cities tour staff recently traveled to santa monica california to learn about its rich history. learn -- learn more about santa monica and other stops.

all weekend every weekend on c-span3. tv,ext on american history influential western women, including sharpshooter, suffragist abigail scott dunaway and jeanette rankin. hosting the event, it's about an hour. >> welcome, we can be more happy that you are out here to join us. we are so happy there is a center for colorado women's history. i'm the education core nader here. up.ve setting things