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Historic Claremont Residence
WIZARD OF OZ HOUSE
Crookshank/Baum House
1105 N. College Avenue, Claremont CA 91711

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Wizard of House House - Claremont photo



WIZARD OF OZ CONNECTION:

In conversations with Edna Baum I knew that the house was built for David Crookshank. She explained to me that Crookshank was accustomed to building large, commercial buildings in Los Angeles County and for the house at 1105 N. College Avenue in Claremont, he specified double-sized structural members (4 x 8 studs rather than 2 x 4s). Of course I have no way of knowing whether that was true, but it is what she understood. The result was a house of far greater sturdiness than was customary. If there was an architect separate from the Crookshank firm, Edna didn't mention it to me. Of course she might not have known. She also led me to believe that the house was built as a showcase for his second marriage, but the community wasn't comfortable with the new domestic arrangements, and his hope of placing himself at the center of Claremont society with his new wife didn't work out the way he planned. However, as she and Robert were orange ranchers, as was Crookshank, I suspect they knew each other socially.
- Peter Hanff

Read more about David Crookshank

For Sale: Historic Claremont Properties