Material in the public domain. No restrictions on use.
Description
A series of short interviews conducted at Claremont’s 1994 Fourth of July Celebration in Memorial Park. [Part 1] Speakers include Viola Keen, Ruth Simon, Edward Little, and Megan Sasser. Viola Keen moved to Southern California from Seattle in the early 1980s. She describes her first impression of Claremont: “It’s like a town invented by a chamber of commerce and then forgotten about. . . It’s small town America.” She describes Claremont a wonderful town to retire because she can stay active in the community. Ruth Simon came to Claremont in the 1950s. Her children went to Condit, Mountain, and Sumner Elementary Schools. Like Keen, she has kept very active in her retirement. She takes art classes and writes children’s books for her grandchildren. Edward Little moved to Claremont in 1957 with his wife, Nancy. He worked as an assistant to the president at Harvey Mudd College. His first impression of Claremont was driving through the orange groves. The scent of the blossoms was thick in the air, and he thought, “My God! they even perfume this place.” He describes the task of starting Harvey Mudd College. Megan Sasser was a student at Scripps College. Her first impression of Claremont was that it was “its own little tiny safe place in the middle of all of this freeway and tract homes.” [Part 2] Speakers include Charles Trion, Ann Neemer, Karl Benjamin, Arlene Kreger, Lenore Pearlman, and Rick White. Charles Trion moved to Claremont in 1963 so that his son could attend Claremont High School. Trion taught at Mt. San Antonio College until 1974. He speaks about Claremont’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Ann Neemer grew up in Iowa, but she moved to Oregon, Northern California, and Riverside before settling in Montclair in 1976. Her children attended Claremont elementary, middle, and high schools. She remembers watching the Olympic torch travel down Indian Hill Boulevard (in 1984?). Karl Benjamin moved to Claremont in 1951. While his wife taught at a school in Chino, he stayed home to take care of their young children and attended graduate school at Scripps College. He describes Claremont as a great place to raise a family. He describes his family’s involvement in the 4th of July parade in Claremont, and what life was like during the Vietnam War Era. Arlene Kreger moved to Claremont in 1962. She raised her own three children and her granddaughter, Rachel, in Claremont. Lenore Pearlman moved to Claremont in 1976. Her daughters attended Claremont elementary and high schools. She has attended the Fourth of July parade for many years. Rick White has lived in Claremont for his whole life (since 1939). When he was three, his family moved to a house that had been owned by Millard Sheetz (1399 Via Zurita). His grandfather was one of the founders of the L.A. County Fair.
Type
sound
Format
Master Audio cassette
Form/Genre
Oral histories
Extent
1 Tape of 1
Identifier
caclah_000030
Language
English
Subject
Elementary schools Fourth of July celebrations Higher education Local history Universities and colleges Education
Place
Claremont (Calif.)
Provenance
Claremont Heritage California Revealed is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
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