Self-Guided Historic | Contemporary Tour
ROUTE 66 - CLAREMONT CA (AKA Foothill Blvd.)

Foothill Blvd. was opened through Claremont as a state highway in January 1931
and became part of the famous Route 66 which runs from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA.
Claremont’s Route 66 has buildings that reflect the academic, citrus, and business history of the town.

Our 2 miles stretch of the MOTHER ROAD (AKA Main Street of America) is
only 50 miles from the End of the Trail at Santa Monica Pier!

Click to read: THE ROADSIDE ALLURE OF ROUTE 66
We sincerely hope you'll enjoy your tour - an historic | contemporary overview of Claremont CA...
Visit Route66Claremont.com for more details

This tour begins at the east side of Claremont.

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California Botanic Garden (1952)
1500 North College Avenue(North side of Route 66)
Formerly Santa Ana Botanic Garden

The purpose of this 86-acre garden is to study and preserve California native plants. The institution moved here from Santa Ana in the early 1950s to be close to The Claremont Colleges. The garden is open to the public and offers educational programs for adults and children as well as special events, summer concerts and plant sales.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm (open later during certain months)

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(Formerly) School of Theology at Claremont (1952)
1325 North College Avenue (North side of Route 66)

This institution gave advanced degrees in religion and divinity. The school moved here from the University of Southern California in 1952. Its buildings were designed by Edward Durell Stone.
Campus is currently undergoing a transition and is closed to the public.

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Wolfe’s Marketplace (1917)
160 West Foothill Blvd. at Harvard Avenue (South side of Route 66)
Currently Wolfe's Deli and The Meat Cellar

A fourth generation Claremont business, Wolfe’s Market was established in 1917
and while the market has closed, the deli continues to thrive.
Look inside the popular restaurant The Meat Cellar
to enjoy the wonderful mural of Claremont landmarks by Jeff Faust.

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(Formerly) Griswold’s Stone Cellar
222 West Foothill Blvd. (South side of Route 66)
Currently a variety of businesses are located at this building

This building was once the center of an extensive dried fruit, marmalade and candy businesses run by a retired professor, George Griswold. It was a regular stop for travelers of Route 66. The businesses were moved across Foothill Blvd., and expanded to include Griswold’s Inn and Smorgasbord (which no longer is in business).
Buca di Beppo and Piano Piano now occupy the area where Griswold's had been.

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Methodist Church – Neutra Chapel (1960)
211 West Foothill Blvd (North side of Route 66)

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The sanctuary of the Claremont United Methodist Church was designed by the internationally known Modernist architect, Richard Neutra. In 1967, the building was gutted by fire and Dion Neutra, son of the original architect, was hired to rebuild the church.

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(Formerly) Sterling Oil Spray Company (c. 1923)
404 West Foothill Blvd. at Indian Hill Blvd. (South side of Route 66)
Currently Sherwood Florist

This stone building with red tile roof was built to house the Sterling Oil Spray Company, which serviced the citrus industry. It later became a garage and now houses a florist shop - Sherwood Florist. A unique anchor at a key corner in Claremont, it is a reminder of the rocky soil faced and conquered by the early citrus ranchers.

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(Formerly) Claremont High School (1911)
415 West Foothill Blvd. at Indian Hill Blvd. (North side of Route 66)
Previously Griswold's Old School House | Currently the Old School House

This building, originally Claremont High School, opened its doors to a student body of 120 on September 2, 1911.
It was rebuilt in the 1930's and, because it still did not meet earthquake standards for public schools, was sold in 1971. It is now the site of The Old School House shops, restaurant, & offices.
Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater was successfully heldin the former gymnasium of the high school for 37+ years.
Located to the west, adjacent to the site, is Trader Joe's, several food establishments and DoubleTree by Hilton.

Remember when... the very popular Griswold's Art Fair was held every weekend adjacent to the old school house?

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(Formerly) Griswold's Smorgasbord & Inn
505 West Foothill Blvd. (North side of Route 66)
Currently Buca di Beppo

In the day 1960s-80s, Griswold's Smorgasboard, Bakery, Gift Shop and Inn were very popular
destinations along Route 66. The smorgasbord offered a Swedish-style all-you-can-eat buffet and delicious pastries.
Buca di Beppo and Piano Piano currently occupy the restaurant's main buillding.
DoubleTree by Hilton is nearby where the Inn had been.

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(Formerly) Saunders Studio Press
500 West Foothill Blvd. at Berkeley Ave (South side of Route 66)
Currently Vista Sotheby's International Realty

Ruth Thomson operated the Saunders Studio Press with her husband Lynne Saunders in the 1920’s and ‘30’s.
Among the imprints issued by the press were titles on bookplates. Click here to read more at Knox College.
Vista Sotherby's International Realty is the longtime business located here.

It appears the Oxford Inn (bottom 2 photos) was either the original tenant or was located nearby.

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(Formerly) Betsy Ross Ice Cream Parlor
695 West Foothill Blvd. (North side of Route 66)
Currently Claremont Optometry

Betsy Ross Ice Cream Parlor was a favorite place to enjoy hanging out with friends
while enjoying ice cream and more coffee shoppe treats in th '70s and '80s.

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(Formerly) Tugboat Annie's
962 West Foothill Blvd. (South side of Route 66)

Tugboat Annie's opened here in 1969 -- an iconic boat-shaped building on Route 66.
Circa 1982, The Original Shrimp House made its debut there.
Therefter, Sushi Cruise and Sushi Maru served up delicacies in this whimsically-designed site.
Currently, it is awaiting a new business to take over the wheel.