Historic Homes and Buildings of Euclid Ave. District
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About Euclid Ave. District
Introduction
The Euclid Avenue District in Upland, California stands as one of the city’s most distinguished historic neighborhoods — a physical emblem of the city’s transformation from a model irrigation colony to a thriving community with architectural depth and visual character. Recognized locally in April 2004, the district’s period of significance spans from roughly 1895 to 1936.
Historical Context
The story of the Euclid Avenue District begins with the vision of George Chaffey and his partner brothers in the 1880s. In their establishment of the Ontario Model Colony, the Chaffeys laid out what would become Euclid Avenue as a grand boulevard: the 200-foot-wide thoroughfare, including a broad central parkway and flanking drives, was designed to serve as a signature spine for the colony.
As the region developed, the northern portion of the colony, later the City of Upland, became known for citrus groves (especially lemons) and saw the growth of prominent residences and streetscapes along Euclid Avenue. The boulevard itself served not only as a transportation route, but as a symbol of prestige, leisure, and aesthetic ambition in the early years of Upland.
Defining Character of the District
The Euclid Avenue District is primarily residential in character, featuring a wide variety of architectural styles representative of the turn of the 20th century through the 1930s. What makes the district distinctive includes:
- A sweeping, tree-lined boulevard with generous setbacks and a central median parkway (sometimes referred to historically as the “Bridle Path”) that reinforces the sense of a grand thoroughfare rather than a simple street.
- Houses built during the late Victorian, Craftsman, Period Revival, and early modern eras, reflecting the evolving tastes and economic prosperity of Upland.
- A coherent sense of time and place: although there is variation in style, the district retains a strong visual unity — the scale, setbacks, street trees, and boulevard form lend a cohesive historic setting.
- Because Euclid Avenue was originally laid out to connect the colony’s southern and northern limits, the district’s scale and orientation emphasize linear grand-boulevard qualities rather than more compact neighborhood grids.
Why It Matters
The Euclid Avenue District has significance on multiple levels:
- Cultural & social: It reflects the early development of Upland as a distinctive community emerging from the Ontario Model Colony, and the prosperity of its citrus era. The boulevard and residences embody local aspirations for elegance and community.
- Architectural: The district provides tangible examples of residential architecture from around 1895 through the 1930s, offering insight into material, form, and aesthetic transitions in Southern California’s suburban development.
- Urban planning / landscape: Euclid Avenue as a wide boulevard with median parkway is significant in that it reflects late-19th-century ideals of suburban design and leisure. Its original design intent contributes to its enduring landmark status.
- Continuity and identity: As one of Upland’s locally designated historic districts (one of nine), the Euclid Avenue District helps sustain the city’s historic texture, resist homogeneous suburban development, and anchor the community’s sense of place.
Boundaries & Period of Significance
According to the city’s Historic Preservation documentation, the Euclid Avenue District’s estimated period of significance is 1895–1936. While specific boundary descriptions are detailed in designation documents (such as the 2004 Planning Commission Resolution), the district is anchored along Euclid Avenue and includes contributing properties that reflect the district’s historic period and character.
Preservation & Living History
The City of Upland encourages the preservation of historic resources within the district, including guidance on exterior modifications, Certificates of Appropriateness for changes, and participation in the Mills Act program for eligible properties.
Residents and visitors alike can appreciate the Euclid Avenue District not just as a static museum piece, but as a living residential thoroughfare: mature trees, historic homes, and the broad boulevard form still give the street its unique character. Maintaining the historic fabric means that even today, a stroll or drive along Euclid Avenue offers a tangible sense of Upland’s growth and identity over more than a century.
Tips for Visiting / Viewing
- When you walk or drive along Euclid Avenue, take note of the wide median and boulevard design — this is rare in contemporary suburban settings and was an intentional design feature from Upland’s early planning.
- Look for examples of distinct architectural styles: late Victorian spindlework huts, Craftsman homes with deep porches, and early period-revival residences from the 1920s–30s.
- Visit at different times of day — the tree canopy and boulevard effect take on different character in morning light, midday, and evening shadows.
- Consider the historical context — imagine the citrus groves that once surrounded the area, the role of transportation (streetcar lines and automobile advent) and how Euclid Avenue served as the “main street” of the early colony.
- Be respectful of the fact that many homes are private residences: while appreciating the architecture and streetscape, maintain courteous behavior (no trespassing, unscheduled photo shoots without consent, etc).
Conclusion
The Euclid Avenue District is one of Upland’s crown jewels in historic preservation. It weaves together grand boulevard design, residential architecture, citrus-era heritage, and community memory into a cohesive historic environment. For residents, it offers a sense of continuity with the city’s past; for visitors and scholars, it provides a richly textured case of suburban development in Southern California. By recognizing and preserving this district, Upland keeps alive the physical and cultural narrative of its early aspirations and achievements.