The Inland Empire on Route 66

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Upland, California - At the Base of the Foothills

Soon you will arrive at Upland, which was first called North Ontario when George and W.B. Chaffey arrived in the area in 1882. Immigrating from Canada, the pair sought to build a new colony and found the perfect place on the lush and fertile ground set against the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.  After purchasing the land, the began to plan their new settlement. In May, 1906, the city was officially incorporated with the name of Upland. The area was quickly transformed into a thriving agricultural center, with most of its population involved with the production, shipping or processing of citrus fruit and grapes.

Today, Upland has developed into a residential and retail community which continues to retain its charm from the past.   

1940's label from Upland, California

Just beyond sits the Claremont Griswold Center at the northwest corner of Indian Hill and Foothill Boulevards. Here, you can find a theatre, art, shops and restaurants in a 1911 Art Deco school building.

While not on Route 66, Claremont's Padua Hills Theatre is a California Landmark catering to visitors since 1930. Built as a centerpiece for local artists, the Spanish-Colonial building entertained its patrons up until the early 1970's when the City of Claremont purchased the property. Today, it serves as a banquet and meeting facility sitting on six acres of land amongst olive trees, a beautiful central courtyard and magnificent landscaping. This historic building is located north of Route 66 at the base of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park at 4467 Via Padova.

The Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont, California entertained guests for more than forty years. Photo courtesy Pomona

Library and Online Archives of California

The Buffalo Inn in Upland, California has been serving buffalo burgers since 1929, Kathy Weiser, December, 2005.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Pomona, California - Goddess of Fruit

As you continue on, Foothill Boulevard curves slightly to the right when entering Pomona, California. The city of Pomona began as a Mexican land grant to Don Ingacio Palomares and Don Ricardo Vejar in April, 1837. That same year, Palomares and his wife , Dona Concepcion Lopez de Palomares, completed their first home, which continues to stand today as a museum called La Casa Primera de Rancho San Jose. After living there for 17 years, the couple built a grander home a mile north of the first house. The 13-room adobe home served as a way station along the San Bernardino Stage and 20- Mule Team freight routes. Called the Palomares Adobe, it too continues to stand today. Both historic homes have been preserved and can be visited on Sundays.

In 1863, Don Vegar sold his portion of land to two men from Los Angeles, who in turn, sold it again to Louis Phillips in 1866. Phillips sold 5,600 acres to a group of speculators in 1875, who began to develop the town site, naming it “Pomona” after the  Roman goddess of fruit. In that same year, Louis Phillips built the first brick house in the Pomona area, which continues to stand today as a museum.

Like the many other towns of the area, vineyards, olive groves, and citrus orchards flourished in Pomona until demand for new homes created more and more developments. Today, the city prides itself on its rich history, diversity and commitment to continuous improvements.

The Pomona Fox Theatre in its heydays, courtesy

Pomona Fox website.

Pomona offers numerous glimpses of its vintage past in both public and commercial buildings in a variety of architectural styles. One great view of the past can be found at the Pomona Fox Theater located at the corner of Third Street and Garey Avenue. Opened in April, 1931, the theatre served as the venue for several Hollywood movie premiers in its early days.  Continuing to entertain the public for decades, the suburbanization of Southern California took its toll on the Fox. Falling into disrepair, the Fox was closed and the building served as a church before being leased out for wrestling matches and rave parties. With its "undesirable" location, the historic theatre soon became the site of gang related killings until the City of Pomona stepped in and bought the building in 2000. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, plans are underway to restore this premier example of Art Deco architecture.

On 2nd Street, just east of Garey Avenue, you can find a newly revitalized shopping district called Antique Row. Here sits more than a dozen stores which feature hundreds of antique dealers. Across the street is the Art Colony, which houses artists' studios, galleries, and shops featuring one-of-a-kind items.

The two original homes of the Palomares land grant can be visited on Sundays. The 1837 La Casa Primera is located at 1659 N. Park Avenue and the Palomares Adobe is located at 491 Arrow Highway. The historic Phillips Mansion is located at 2640 Pomona Boulevard.

La Verne - Holding on to Small Town Charm

La Verne began in 1887 as the City of Lordsburg as one more town along the Santa Fe Railroad. In fact, it was Isaac W. Lord, a Los Angeles businessman, who persuaded the railroad to extend its line through the area, where he owned a significant amount of property.

When the railroad was completed, Lord sent brass bands up and down the streets of San Bernardino and Los Angeles inviting people on a free ride to the new town of Lordsburg.   On May 25, 1887 over 2,500 people arrived for Lord’s land sale, the largest in Southern California up to that date. Lord pocketed $200,000 from the sale of lots, and the building of new homes and businesses began almost immediately.

The town promoters installed water mains, a post office, a newspaper, and construction on the 60 room Lordsburg Hotel was begun, all within the first four months. Lord spent $300,000 on the palatial, 96-foot high hotel that featured cupolas, balconies, domed rooftops, and an electric bell in every room.

Though situated adjacent to the railroad for the convenience of travelers, by the time the hotel was completed the land boom had gone bust and the beautiful hotel never hosted a single paying guest. The hotel’s failure forced Lord to place the building up for sale in 1889. Four German Baptist men bought the vacant hotel with plans to open it as an academy. In the fall of 1891, Lordsburg College was established with 135 students and the town soon drew more and more Brethren people.

Though the town bore his name, Lord was not well liked by the residents and in 1912; they tried to change the name of the community. However, the narcissistic nonresident land owner blocked the attempt. However, five years later when Lord died, the citizens voted to change the city name to "La Verne," after the northern orange-growing district, and a large celebration was held to honor the event. The Lordsburg College also changed its name, today known as the University of La Verne.

As the college continued to grow, it moved into Founder’s Hall and the original Lordsburg Hotel, was torn down in 1927.

In addition to the college, most of the economy of the fledgling city was supported by the citrus industry. However, by the 1940’s, the quality and size of the fruit had dramatically declined and groves began to be sold for housing developments

Today, La Verne supports about 30,000 residents, retaining much of its small town charm on its tree lined streets. As you enter La Verne, look for Route 66 signage at the Hi-Brow 66 Lounge and Coates Schwinn in the 500 block of east Foothill Boulevard, and just a couple of more blocks down the road a vintage sign advertising the Village Car Wash.  Other Route 66 stops include the Route 66 Territory Gift Shop at 2418-D Foothill Boulevard where you are sure to pick up a memento of your trip. If you’re hungry for a taste of Mexican food, the La Paloma Restaurant at 2975 Foothill Boulevard has been serving Mother Road travelers since 1966.

©Kathy Weiser, Legends of America, January, 2006

The La Paloma restaurant in La Verne, California has

been providing tasty Mexican food for thirty years, Kathy Weiser, December, 2005

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