Helen Elliott Bandini (June 1854 – June 10, 1911) was an American writer, primarily of

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

n history. Bandini was active in civic matters, the arts and a writer for newspapers and magazines. She authored two books. Bandini died on June 10, 1911, in

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district. I ...

, in the home that her husband had built in 1903.

Biography

Helen Elliott Bandini was born in

Indianapolis Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...

and educated in public schools. She came to California in 1874 following her father, Dr. Thomas B. Elliot, who was an early founder and president of

Indiana Colony The Indiana Colony refers to a group of Indiana residents who settled the area known today as Pasadena, California. The group was incorporated on January 31, 1874, by Indiana residents who sought warmer weather after the exceptionally cold winter o ...

. The name lasted for a while until which point they wanted their own post office. Up to this time, the mail was being brought up from Los Angeles by one resident's son who was going to school there. Mail for the colony came to

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

earmarked for "Indiana Colony," but when the community applied for a post office, the Postmaster General rejected the name Indiana Colony. Thus began the search for a new name for the town which would end up being

Pasadena Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district. Its ...

. In 1883, she married Arturo Bandini (author) (1853–1913), son of

Juan Bandini Juan Bandini (1800 – November 4, 1859) was a Peruvian-born Californio public figure, politician, and ranchero. He is best known for his role in the development of San Diego in the mid-19th century. Early history Bandini was born in 1800 in Lima ...

and Refugio Argüello. They had two children. Her husband was a scholar and authored several books, including ''Navidad'', a description of Christmas in Old California. Bandini was active in civic matters, the arts and a writer for newspapers and magazines. She authored two books. One book titled, ''History of California'', was originally published in 1908. Although the book was written for younger readers, reviewers recommended it to readers of all ages. ''Pacific Short Story Club Magazine'', described the book, saying, '"The work mingles enough of early California romance with the fact to make it read like story, yet gives clear ideas of the founding and growth of the State."' Her other book, a fictional story, titled, ''Chumash Courage: A story of California Indians before 1492''," was also written for a juvenile audience. Bandini died on June 10, 1911, in

, in the home that her husband had built in 1903.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bandini, Helen Elliott 1854 births 1912 deaths Writers from California 20th-century American women writers Writers from Indianapolis