http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_11415927

Montclair site reflects citrus history
Suzanne Sproul, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/09/2009 10:54:53 AM PST

Long before there were tract homes for as far as the eye could see, there were small orange groves with family farms nestled in the middle of most of them.

The Inland Valley's history is rich with stories about oranges and lemons and how they seemed to grow from Ontario to Mt. Baldy and just about everywhere in between.

But populations shifted. Economies changed. Land was more valuable to build on than to harvest from. The local landscape isn't dotted in orange, yellow and green as it once was, except for one small, unexpected spot on Holt Boulevard in Montclair.

For a city known for its retail engines of the Montclair Plaza, Costco and the auto center, this town means business about preserving its grove heritage.

City officials, local historians, longtime residents and just plain volunteers are lining up to help preserve, protect and promote the Reeder Ranch. Heading the charge is Ginger Eaton, retired curator of the Rex Wignall Museum and Gallery at Chaffey Collge, longtime resident and wife of Mayor Paul Eaton.

"This place is just truly special and I believe people are fascinated with it," Ginger Eaton said. "We have a very unique situation. When you're trying to establish a museum or a educational center, you usually only have one part or maybe two that then have to be incorporated together somehow, but with the Reeder Ranch we have the whole little microcosm of history all in one place. We have the structures, the property, the
collection and a small endowment which we have to be really careful with."

The Reeders were a pioneering citrus family in the Inland Valley. At one time, members owned many small farms/groves throughout Montclair and neighboring communities.

Hazel Reeder was the last family member to live in the house until she died in 2004. The family then established the George C. and Hazel H. Reeder Heritage Foundation with an eye toward keeping local history alive. There's plenty of history to share.

The two-story bungalow house is 109 years old. It was built in Chino before it was moved to its present location in 1901. The barn is a spry 98 years old.

The property also is home to citrus industry equipment and remaining productive groves. At one time, the family farm/grove encompassed 10 acres stretching from what is now Holt Boulevard south to the Union Pacific Railroad right of way. Orange production started in 1902 with much of the fruit shipped throughout the United States.

It remained a family home long after fruit shipments ended.

Last year, ranch supporters applied for and received a National Endowment for the Humanities planning grant, which they have been busy using. This year the ranch may be eligible for more grant money, but before that can happen the public has to get involved. Eaton is excited about that part.

"We need to establish public programs and we're setting those up. They're small, but have great potential. What we want to do is work with the Ontario-Montclair School District and involve some of its students," she said.

"The kids would have an exposition of their own where they would get to showcase what they've done. We want them to explore their family histories, interview family members, take photos and then write their own histories."

The house and barn need a bit of a facelift boost, so no activities are planned indoors quite yet. The Montclair Redevelopment Agency bought the adjacent property to the house, restoring the full complement of 10 acres.

Eventually, the idea is to have a historical center where visitors can roam the grounds, smell the sweet orange blossoms, take a peak at the house and barn and get a real feel for how life once was not really that long ago.

Historical restoration and building takes money. Eaton and fellow supporters already have some upcoming fundraisers in mind. And the ranch is looking for some volunteers.

"We have some dedicated people, but we'd like to start recruiting people for the future. Get them trained. This is going to be a busy and exciting year for the Reeder Ranch. I hope people start watching what's happening, start asking questions and then ask how they can help," Eaton said.

For more information, call (909) 983-4845.