Glendora Bougainvillea
Why it's listed
A double row of bougainvillea vines climbs twenty-five tall palm trees along two sides of an orange grove in Glendora, California, running 600 feet along Bennett Avenue and 600 feet along Minnesota Avenue. Planted around 1900 by Reuben Hamlin, a Canadian-born rancher, and credited to the urging of his wife Helen, the vines were thought to be the largest bougainvillea growth in the continental United States. In the 1930s and 1940s they rose 50 to 70 feet, and magenta to purple bracts appear year-round, heaviest in December, May, June and July. Heavy rain and wind in the 1950s damaged the palm fronds that served as their climbing frame, and the vines have since slumped. A 20-inch cobblestone retaining wall from 1912 survives beside them. The planting was listed for its links to the citrus era, when palms and bougainvillea lined groves and promoted Southern California to visitors, and for its horticultural interest as a surviving example of early varieties and hybrids.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the vines are believed to be the largest growth of bougainvillea in the continental United States, running about 1,200 feet. It ties them to agriculture and landscape architecture, since such plantings bordered citrus groves in Southern California from 1895 to 1940. It also cites cultural value in the citrus-era image of the region, horticultural value as surviving early varieties and hybrids, and a historic cobblestone wall built in 1912.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000683, listed February 7, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Bennett and Minnesota Aves., Glendora |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | February 7, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000683 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Ruben Hamlin |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Agriculture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as occupied and accessible. The vines have slid down from their palm supports since the 1950s, and the surrounding orange grove was planned for subdivision into residential lots. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 34.14075, -117.86045 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000683.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.