 |
| Our tour group posing at the 1927 Spanish Colonial Depot. |
 |
| Sunday Farmers' Market . |
 |
| Every town needs a clock |
I think Claremont's success is based on four factors:
1) A fun, pedestrian-scale village with unique shops: The friendly village of Claremont has wonderful specialty retail and comfortable streets. Many little stores, good parking and super friendly store owners make a visit so much fun. I loved the Folk Music Center with its amazing array of instruments and knowledgable employees. I actually bought a guitar there!
 |
| Emily of Claremont Crafts Ales was so accommodating. |
2) Really friendly people and a nice pace of life: Southern Californians are nice people in general, but even nicer when their town makes them happy. So many of the shop owners and workers just love their town and have lived there most of their lives. For example, Emily, who owns Claremont Craft Ales with her husband, opened early just for our group (and we didn't drink that much)!3) Great planning with a strong preservation movement: The City of Claretmont preserves their village with careful regulations which encourage small, specialized businesses rather than franchises. Claremont Heritage has built a strong lobby to preserve and love the City's wonderful Victorian, Craftsman and Spanish Colonial buildings. And Claremont is hip! They did a beautiful adaptive reuse of the 1922 packing house by preserving its major architectural elements while introducing a great restaurant, fun signage and nice shops.
 |
| Queen Anne Victorian on College Avenue. |
 |
| Margaret Fowler Garden where Mexican muralist Martinez completed seven of the nine panels before his death |
 |
| Leafy Scripps College |
 |
| Adaptive reuse of the landmark 1922 packing house. |
 |
| A pint-sized guitar for tours bought at the Folk Music Center on Yale. |