Claremont in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Blaisdell Park

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2025

1. Blaisdell Park Marker

Inscription.
This site was acquired in 1956 with funds from a successful park bond measure. Since the park was on College Avenue, it seemed appropriate to choose a name from one of the leaders of the Claremont Colleges. It was named after James Arnold Blaisdell, president of Pomona College 1910-1928 and thereafter the founder of the “group plan” for establishing several colleges in Claremont, that could share common facilities, such as a library. This unique experiment in American education has made Claremont the home of seven small colleges. In 1952 on his 85th birthday, he was voted “First Citizen of Claremont.” He died a year after this park was dedicated to him. Much of the land around the park had been citrus groves until after the Second World War.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 34° 5.297′ N, 117° 42.891′ W. Marker is in Claremont, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on South College Avenue 0.1 miles north of East Oak Park Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 440 S College Ave, Claremont CA 91711, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Wright Pierce Studio (approx. 0.3 miles away); College Park

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Judy C. Wright (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Claremont Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Helen Goodwin Renwick (approx. half a mile away); Claremont’s First Fire Station (approx. half a mile away); Claremont City Hall (approx. half a mile away); Shelton Park (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Claremont.

Also see . . . James A. Blaisdell. Wikipedia entry on the noted minister, theologian, and academic administrator. (Submitted on November 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2025

2. Blaisdell Park Marker

On the end of the stone pedestal.

James Arnold Blaisdell (1867-1957) image. Click for full size.

Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), 1936

3. James Arnold Blaisdell (1867-1957)

He was photographed during the 25th anniversary celebration of his joining Pomona College.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide view photo showing the marker in its location. Better closeup photo showing text without obstruction. • Can you help?