Glendora Walking Tour

This Walking Tour of Downtown Glendora and Environs is intended to foster awareness of the history and the built landscape of our community. It focuses mainly on the Downtown Business District (DBD) and adjacent A Short Primer on Architectural Styles neighborhoods.What consti- Many architectural styles tend to be associated with particular periods of time. tutes “historical” is somewhat Described below are six styles found in Glendora and referred to in this Guide. subjective but the writers have Note also that the term vernacular is used as well.Vernacular styles tend to be tried to include sites that have “unclassifiable” otherwise so architectural historians will classify structures as somehow played a role in this “vernacular brick” for example to separate them from brick buildings with an community.A later driving tour identifiable standard. Recognizing different styles on the landscape allows us guide to sites outside of the to visualize the areal extent of our community in different eras. Note, for exam- DBD is contemplated. A ple, where bungalows transition into ranch homes east of Finkbiner Park/Cullen Avenue:When was the area to the west built? To the east? What does this tell us about the growth of Glendora? A Victorian Built primarily in the latter 19th century, these wood frame homes have many permutations such as “stick” and “Queen Anne.”They possess a strong verti- cal presence emphasized by tall windows, steep roof pitch, and narrow eaves. Often they are sheathed with various types of shingles, including “fish scales.” B B Craftsman Bungalow A product of the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th century, the Craftsman is epitomized by the work of the Green Brothers in Pasadena (Gamble House).These homes were generally built between 1905 and c. 1930.Again, there are many permutations of the craftsman but they have: low pitched gable roofs, wide eaves, a broad front porch/verandah, and wood siding (a mass-built version with stucco siding and smaller porches was built in the late 1920s and 30s and called California Bungalow). C Mission Revival/Mediterranean Built mostly in the late 1920s and 1930s, these buildings recall California’s C mission heritage. Plastered with stucco to simulate adobe, these have small porches, tile roofs, and, often, arched windows and/or doorways. Mediterranean homes have flat roofs with tile trim. D Period Revival This term encompasses a variety of styles including French Chateau, American Colonial, and English Tudor.They were built in the 1930s when there was a revival of interest in the United States in European styles. Many are found in Glendora but Hollywood is a virtual “museum” of clas- sic revival buildings. D E California Ranch Built in the late 1940s and after, the ranch is the most common house type found in Glendora. Some characteristics: single story, low pitched gable or hip roof, strong horizontal presence. This symbol L denotes “Designated City Landmark” E 1 Begin your tour at the intersection of Glendora Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. #4 Pacific Electric right-of-way and Glendora Avenue, 100 north Station What is now a parking lot #1 100 Glendora Avenue between the Nelson’s Drug and Cub/Chance National Bank buildings was Building once the right-of-way for the Pacific Electric interurban rail line. This vernacular The Pacific Electric “Red brick commercial Cars” arrived in Glendora building was con- in December 1907 and the structed in 1912 Station, located on the by Frank Chance, north side of what is now best known as the the Transit Plaza, was com- first baseman in the famous (c. 1912-15) Chicago Cubs dou- pleted in 1908.This was ble-play combination “Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance.” It was the terminus of PE’s also known as the “Cub Building” because it housed the Northern Route.The PE tracks entered Glendora from the Cub Grocery for many years.A fire several years ago led to west and generally parallelled those of the Santa Fe until the structure being seismically retrofitted with senior citizen reaching Grand Avenue.They then veered north through apartments created on the second floor. what is now the Vons Center (then the site of a citrus packing house) and followed Electric Avenue (now Mountain #2 111Glendora Avenue View) to the Station and ended at what is now the western Venberg side of Finkbiner Park (#32).The land for the right-of-way Building L was purchased by Glendorans for $35,000 after a 1905 Now occupied by promise from PE to extend the tracks if cities on the pro- Andrew’s, Inc., this posed route purchased the necessary land.The PE would structure housed the serve the city until service was discontinued in 1951. first department store in Glendora.Arthur #5 161–169 Glendora Avenue Venberg was an early First National Glendora merchant who Bank/Opera originally began his House store in what became the Reed’s hardware building (see #7). One of the most his- This building was constructed in 1925 at a cost of $25,000. toric buildings in The architect was L. E. Richardson, the contractor was Mans Glendora, this land- Hopper. Also a “vernacular brick” structure, it is representa- mark was constructed tive of many commercial buildings built here and through- c. 1906 by C.A. out foothill communities during the period c. 1900–1920. Weaver and was occupied by the First National #3 159 Glendora Avenue Bank (chartered in 1907) Nelson’s Drug with the town’s Opera Originally known as the House upstairs.The bank Converse Building, it was space was later occupied built c. 1905 in an by Bank of America Italianate style and was (1937–1960), which had graced in front by a absorbed First National. water fountain installed The Opera House — in 1909 by the more like a town meet- Women’s Christian ing place — was the Temperance Union scene of many significant events.The Glendora Woman’s (WCTU).The building was “modernized” at least Club (see #21) and Glendora Masons first met there. Prior twice to its present vernacular “style.”The first to the construction of the present City Hall (see #40), this modernization removed the cornices and decora- space was also used for city council meetings. It housed tive items, leaving the extended corner win- the city library prior to 1922 when the library was moved to dows on the second floor.The second the new City Hall. reconstruction, during the early ’60s, flat- tened the area at the corner windows and added some other decorative features. 2 3 #6 171–173 Glendora Avenue #9 208 Meda Avenue Gem Building Mrs. Bunn’s Built by C.A.Weaver in 1910. Maternity Home The Gem building was at The remoteness of hospitals least the third key contribu- in the early 20th century tion by Weaver in establish- encouraged the operation ing Glendora (then known as of maternity homes by mid- Michigan) Avenue as the wives. Mrs. Bunn’s was one central business district of of at least two such estab- the community.Weaver’s lishments in Glendora.This work in bringing the Pacific home, in the Craftsman Electric to Glendora, along style, dates from c. 1920. with his construction of the Mrs Bunn’s operated from Bank/Opera and Gem buildings assured that business would early in the century to at least 1927 or ’28. Rumor has it be concentrated where it is today rather than along Vista that there was “always a bun(n) in the oven!” Bonita Avenue as had been the case earlier. #10 216 Meda Avenue #7 177–179 Glendora Avenue Suydam Reed’s Hardware Home Matthews and Wamsley ran This the second of a grocery store in this build- three homes ing, built c. 1905. It is where known to have Venberg’s (#2) began before been built by the moving to 111 North Suydam family in Glendora. It later housed Glendora.The first, Reed’s Hardware for many at 645 N.Vista years which was succeeded Bonita, is believed by Glendora Hardware.The to have been the building was seismically first home built retrofitted when it was converted to restaurant use. here (1887) after the town site was formally established.The third is at 130 Turn east (right) onto Meda Avenue S.Vista Bonita.The son of the original settlers, Keith Suydam built and lived in this home. He became mayor in Meda Avenue, 100–300 east 1936. His mother and his wife helped form the Athena Club which established Glendora’s first library (1904) and #8 North side, midway in first block evolved into the Glendora Woman’s Club. Belleview Hotel (site) #11 301 Meda Avenue Opened on April 1, Brunjes 1887.As with many House L of the foothill com- The Brunjes family, munities in the late active in early 19th and early 20th Glendora, built this centuries, Glendora 2200 square foot had its railroad Victorian home in station and its 1905. Mr. Brunjes hotel.After all, was the manager of a future property local packing house. owners needed In 1997, this beauti- a place to stay until they acquired their piece of the fully restored dwelling was given Landmark status California dream. Note: to encourage easterners to by the Glendora City Council. come west, for a time in the late 19th Century, the Santa Fe railroad (which served foothill communities) offered tickets from Kansas City to southern California for $1! The Belleview was razed in 1934. 4 5 There are some good examples of Turn west (left) onto Bennett Avenue. Mission/Mediterranean Revival and Period Revival from the 1930s here.

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