The city of La Verne is a nice, clean, quiet town located in the San Gabriel Valley foothills in the Los Angeles County of California. Founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1906, the city of La Verne now holds a population of over 33,000 people. La Verne is a traditional small town community that is open to all comers near and far. Tourists should come here to experience how lovely this town has grown since it has been founded, and enjoy the attractions held here.
Centuries ago, La Verne first started as a home for Native Americans until it was bought by a Los Angeles businessman named Isaac Wilson Lord. Lord convinced the Santa Fe Railroad to extend through this area where he owned property. On May 25, 1887, Lord hosted an event for people from Los Angeles and San Bernardino to take a free ride through his new town “Lordsburg”. Many people came that day and bought $200,000 worth of lots. After this day, building began immediately. Within four months, there was a post office, hotel, water main, stores, and newspapers published. But there were barely any residents in Lordsburg and the land became worthless. In 1889, a member of the Church of the Brethren named M. M. Eshelman, took a Santa Fe train to Lordsburg from the Midwest with an idea to turn the hotel into a college. With the help of his associates his offer was accepted. Eshelman joined McDonaugh as an agent of Santa Fe and launched a campaign to bring Brethren people to Lordsburg. In the fall of 1891, the college opened with 135 students and 8 faculty members. Today, this college is known as the University of La Verne, home to 6,806 full time equivalent students as of 2006. Lordsburg had become a real magnet for Brethren people. In March of 1917, the citizens of Lordsburg all voted to change the city name to “La Verne”, a French term meaning “growing green” that fellow ranchers up north thought up when being inspired by the foothills. During post World War II thousands of people had come to California for military service and many finding it comfortable in La Verne, decided to stay. Since then, La Verne has grown into a beautiful family-orientated city where residents can always find plenty to do.
Tourists of La Verne have many places to explore. For example, La Verne has 19 different parks that have many things from tennis courts, to playgrounds, to pools. But the most historical park of them all is Heritage Park, which dwells the Weber House and 1 ½ acre citrus ranch. Built in the 1880’s, John Weber’s house is one of the oldest remaining houses in La Verne. Heritage Park also has events including concerts in the park in the summer, a pumpkin patch, and annual car shows in the fall. Another place that is fun to visit is Old Town La Verne. Old Town La Verne is La Verne’s very own downtown full of cute little shops and eateries. One popular event held there is The Family Festival and Farmer’s Market which is held every Thursday night all summer long. Other attractions that tourists can enjoy are movies at the Edwards La Verne Stadium 12 , golfing at the Sierra La Verne Country Club, reading at the La Verne Library, horseback riding at the Marshall Canyon Equestrian Center, hiking at the Wilderness Trail, or just bask at the beauty of the mountain scenery. There are many exciting ways for tourists to enjoy themselves in La Verne. Hope to see you there soon!
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