From the pavement in the streets to the architecture in the buildings, everything in Claremont has been strategically researched and captured through the Claremont Heritages Walking Tours. Held on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00AM to noon, Ginger Elliott,  a volunteer tour guide in Claremont for over 20 years takes her guests from the Claremont Depot and ending in front of the Laemmle Theatre making frequent stops in between. For only $5, each stop talks of the history and changes the town has made since 1887 to now. Exposing hidden public art, restaurants, and family owned businesses make tour goers feel the Claremont small town atmosphere more than ever before.

The Claremont Heritage’s mission is to advance, preserve, and celebrate the historic, architectural, and natural landmarks left behind over time by Claremont’s original settlers and teach its citizen the history of the town they have come to live in and love, and each dollar goes towards the organization and helps better the community, and while you do not necessarily have to pay the $5, it is recommended as a donation to the town’s volunteer work.

Each stop takes about 5 to 10 minutes under the shade of the eucalyptus trees dotting the town as tour guides take their guests back to when they were first planted and why. The Claremont Colleges did not build the town and make it as popular as it is now, but the families from all over to start their new life. The land and the space for orange and lemon groves and Mrs. Elliot’s voice gives tour guests the perfect mental image of simpler times.            

  “I thought the walking tour was pretty interesting because it taught me about things I never knew about Claremont,” junior Jonathon Brown said. “Specifically the history of the founding of Claremont and the Victorian style homes right next to the colleges, what I enjoyed about the tour was just the walk we got to take because we went through an area I legitimately had no idea existed.”

Hidden restaurants and businesses surround The Village and even are in the back alley parking lots unseen by citizens passing by. While the inside of the Claremont Depot is closed due to remodeling, this does not stop tour guides from showing their guests the history on the outer part of the building with pictures of the original train station.

As the weather begins to cool down and the rain season start, having a reservation at the Claremont Heritage is highly recommended just in case the tour needs to be canceled due to weather conditions. The season has been slow for the volunteers leading the tour, but the Claremont Heritage expects more guests to be joining soon in the springtime. The walk is inspiring to both elementary and high school students since the tour guide’s explanation of the history of Claremont is fun and interesting for all ages.

With walking around the city and learning about the small town, the guests joining the walk will not be disappointed. From the littlest rock to the tallest building, everything in Claremont has been placed there for a reason to make the town beautiful and welcoming, and guests will be able to experience and love the city of trees and PHD’s.