One of the great joys of visiting Heritage Square Museum in Montecito Heights, Los Angeles over the last few years has been its floofy orange museum cat.
His name was Belle Boy. And I just found out he passed away last September 28, 2023.
When I heard the news, I cried with heartbreak. But I was also grateful—glad that I'd gotten to spend a little time with him in May 2023 while producing a video for PBS SoCal's "SoCal Wanderer."
After years of basking in the sun, cooling off in the shade, and leaping onto visitors' laps (and sometimes sharing a picnic with them), Belle Boy had become so popular that the museum started selling merch with his image. I'm so glad to have a sticker and a pin.
If you couldn't find him outside on the grounds, he'd probably be chilling out inside the museum gift shop—located inside the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot that was moved from the Palms neighborhood.
As cats usually do, Belle Boy chose Heritage Square—a museum that wasn't exactly looking for a cat (although it had roosters). But one day, he just showed up with a scar on his face and never left.
circa 2015Museum staff enthusiastically took care of him...
...making a home for him in the Octagon House whenever he wanted to come in from the heat or the cold or sleep inside for the night.
I remember the last time I saw Belle Boy, but I can't for the life of me track down when I first saw him. I think it was at night, and I thought I took a photo, but I can't find it anywhere.
And that just goes to show that it kind of felt like he'd always been there. And that there was no question that he belonged there.
Heritage Square Museum is paying tribute to its furry friend by declaring September 28 "Belle Boy Day." At its inaugural event this year, they'll dedicate their memorial to him, collect memories from visitors, and host a cat adoption event inside the Lincoln Avenue Church.
I'll be there.
All photos above are circa 2023 except where noted.
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