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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Doug and Judy McGoon of Claremont stand on a beam used to lift a historic 1924 garage, which they recently acquired and have transported across town to their own property. |
History makers, keepers
Walking onto Doug and Judy McGoon’s property feels like taking a trip out into the desert. Covered in coastal sage scrubs, rocks and fruit trees, one could easily forget that they are right in the middle of Claremont.
The latest edition to the McGoon’s property brings plenty of history along with it. A 600-square foot garage built in 1924 by renowned architect Henry Greene was recently moved there in true Claremont fashion, uplifted and transported by truck.
For decades, the garage sat at the corner of College Avenue and 8th Street. The new homeowners wanted to build a larger garage on site and had permission from the city to demolish the building. When Doug and Judy caught wind of its availability, they made an 11th-hour rescue to keep the historic structure intact.
“We love saving old buildings but it is definitely not for the faint of heart,” Ms. McGoon said.
The McGoons explained how challenging it has become to make a move like this. With zoning rules, seismic regulations and building code requirements, costs can add up. Just the transportation cost for the building was $10,000.
“It wasn’t like it used to be,” Ms. McGoon said.
And she would know. Ms. McGoon has done house transports before. She has 3 rental properties that were transported away from the colleges that now sit along Cornell Avenue near the police station.
The couple’s main residence is also a transplanted home. Formerly the Mary B. Ayre Day Care Center, the home was chopped into 2 parts so that it could be moved to their property about 6 years ago.
Another smaller building on their property was designed by artist and architect Millard Sheets. Mr. McGoon uses the structure as an art studio. (story continues below)
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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| The McGoon’s recently acquired structure rests at its new location, on their property just north of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. |
The McGoons are active members of the Claremont community and respect the city’s history and traditions. Mr. McGoon is a former president of the Chamber of Commerce and served for 15 years on the Architectural and Planning Commissions. Ms. McGoon serves on the boards of Crossroads, the Claremont Forum and the Rembrandt Club.
The couple is excited about their latest acquisition and plan to renovate it and rent it out as a loft for about $1000 per month. The former garage will be transformed into a cozy abode with French doors, a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and a roomy living room.
All in all, the project will cost between $50,000 and $60,000, Mr. McGoon said. With the aid of his stepson, he hopes to have it finished by the end of the summer.
“We could probably build something new for the amount we are putting into restoring it,” Mr. McGoon said. “But we are buying a piece of history here.”
The building sits to the rear of their 1.2-acre property, nestled among fruit trees, shrubs and a chicken coop. Ms. McGoon said the couple will probably move into the smaller home in their later years.
Located just north of the Bernard Field Station, the couple purchased the vacant land just 6 years ago. Today, they have 3 homes on the property and plenty of extra space for gardening and landscaping.
“I just love to build things and saving an old structure just seems like the right thing to do,” Mr. McGoon said. “We did this before the green movement became popular, and what’s greener than saving all of this from being torn down?”
—Tony Krickl
