Redlands has always loved its architects and through the years they have graced Redlands with their work.  The Redlands Daily Facts recently ran a series on the “Riches of Redlands” and correctly listed our architects as part of that treasure.  Redlands has a proud history of distinguished contractor builders and trained architects.

     Clare Henry Day is the featured speaker for the October 27^th meeting of the Redlands Area Historical Society at A.K. Smiley Public Library, Assembly Room 7:00 p.m.   Day began his career in 1939 and has projects throughout the Inland Empire.  His stylish contemporary modern homes of the 1950’s and 1960’s are everywhere in the city.   Demand for the “Clare Day” approach extended to public buildings such as Terrier Gym, Clement Middle School, Cram Elementary School, Mentone Elementary School, Valley Preparatory School, and the Smiley Park facilities.

     Day’s industrial and technical projects include Hatfield Buick Agency and the Chevrolet offices of Lange and Runkel, Van Dorin Chrysler Dodge and the Fairfield Scientific Corporation facility in Mentone.

     Commercial commissions that are found today are the Assistance League building, Wilcoxson office building, Sawyer-Cook Insurance offices, Emmerson Mortuary, Oak-Ford Shopping Center, Beaver Medical Clinic, McEwen Carpet and Furniture, Rexall Drug Store, Redlands Swim Club and Dee and Walt’s Service Station.

     Residential homes for Redlands was almost a Day specialty.  The Marcum home on Crown Street, V. Crear on Sunnyside Drive, O.Kampmeier on Sunset, A. Porter on Mira Monte, F. Savage on Alta Vista, E. Witmer on Highland Avenue, R. Campbell on Mariposa Drive, and B. Marcum, J. Hicks, E. Banta all on Sunset Drive are all his architectural work.   Day has had an office in Redlands since 1952.  He was awarded as a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects in 1996.  This award is a personal mark of distinction and a peer endorsement and recognition of fine work. 

     Day credits R. M. Schindler, Richard Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright as influences on his work.   Leon Armentrout joined his office in 1960 and became independent in 1964.

     Clare Henry Day joins the many Redlands architects noted for their work.  That list includes T.R. Griffith (Smiley Library), Elmer Grey (Lincoln Shrine), Dennis and Farwell (Kimberly Crest), Arthur Brown Jr. (Santa Fe Depot),  C. H. Jones, Daniel W. Willard, Hugh Todd and Son, H.H. Dwight, Fred T. Harris, F. Garvin Hodson, Robert B. Ogden, and home grown Herbert Powell.

     Skilled builder-contractors often drew their own plans and that list would include J. C. Beer, Davis Donald, William Batty, R. C. Cunningham, W. E. Farnsworth, Fairchild and Travers, Furguson Brothers, Garrett Huizing, Huntington and Harris, Lynn and Lewis,  C. C. Reasoner ,  J. W. Sleeper, A. E. Taylor, Jerome Seymour, and F. A. Shorey.

     Historical Society programs are free and open to the public.  Building ornaments are for sale at each meeting along with a DVD of Illustrated Redlands 1897.  DVD copies of the programs may be purchased from blueeaglevideo@aol.com.  

Genealogy