 |
|
COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
|
| George Hernandez sits at the doorway of one of two relocated historic Claremont homes. Mr. Hernandez had the houses transported to his property and plans to renovate them. |
Historic homes find a new home
As the colleges have expanded over the years, many things have been forced out of their way. So was the case early Monday morning when two historic homes were uprooted and transported several miles away to allow for the latest expansion efforts by Claremont McKenna College.
A local fireman at station 102 and Claremont history buff, George Hernandez, took the two bungalow-style homes, hoping to renovate them to modern standards while preserving their historic character. Originally built in the 1920s and 1940s, the homes were moved from Brooks Avenue to his property along Towne Avenue where they currently stand on wooden blocks, waiting for land grading and a foundation to be built below.
“This is a great tradition in Claremont,” said Ginger Elliot, executive director of Claremont Heritage. “So many houses in Claremont have been relocated like this; some by owners and some by colleges.”
It all began in September when CMC placed an ad in the Claremont COURIER offering two free homes to anyone willing to move them. Mr. Hernandez was immediately captivated and began a long process of applications, research and financial review to see if he could bring the project to life.
“I don’t know if those houses were talking to me, but when I first read the ad, I pictured those houses sitting here on my property like they are right now,” Mr. Hernandez said.
Once a “Claremont Community Hero” at the L.A. County fair, Mr. Hernandez has been very involved in city life. He has been a board member for Claremont Red Cross, worked on the Fourth of July planning committee and helped organize Our Lady of the Assumption’s yearly fair. (story continues below)
 |
|
COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
|
| Claremonter George Hernandez climbs to the top of one of his newly acquired historic homes. Mr. Hernandez obtained the houses from Claremont McKenna College and had them moved to his property on Towne Avenue. |
Out of several inquiries about the homes, Mr. Hernandez was chosen because he was the only one interested in taking both homes and keeping them in Claremont. He filed a petition with the city, using statutes about historic home preservation in the city’s General Plan for his argument.
The older of the two homes—built in 1922—has actually been moved once before by the colleges, Ms. Elliot said. It was originally located in the area near Dartmouth Avenue and was relocated south in 1963 due to expansion by Claremont Graduate University.
A family owned the second home, built in 1948, until the 1980s when it was sold to CMC. Both were located in Claremont’s Arbol Verde neighborhood and are listed on the Register of Structures with historical significance in Claremont.
“I really like the fact that they are historic,” Mr. Hernandez said. “I consider them a work of art, just begging to be made better.”
Once they are renovated, Mr. Hernandez plans to move into one of the homes and have his mother live in the other. He hopes to finish renovating them within one year.
In the meantime, passersby along Towne Avenue have been intrigued by the two new additions to their street. Mr. Hernandez said he hopes they are a welcome part of the neighborhood that will add to its character and property value.
With the removal of the homes, CMC can begin construction on 12 new tennis courts and a practice field for intramural sports and student recreation, said Brian Worley, director of facilities and campus services at CMC. The college hopes to have the new sports facilities finished by the end of summer.
—Tony Krickl
