The East Coast is known for it’s wealth of historic areas and neighborhoods but right here in Southern California we’ve got some gems of our own. Case in point: Lincoln Park Historic District in Pomona.
If you’re looking for an affordable vintage home in a small town community, Lincoln Park is the perfect place to buy.
What is it like to live in Lincoln Park?
Well the locals say it’s like a trip back in time. Fred Van Allen, resident and prominent luxury real estate expert says, “It’s like Mayberry in the Andy of Mayberry ’50’s TV show.
It’s such a treat walking through the streets, enjoying your neighbors company and the beautiful restored vintage homes. And in the center of the community is the piece de restance, a nearly century old circular park filled with vintage specimen trees, a beautiful rose garden, picnic benches and a playground.”
There are a total of 3 historic districts in Pomona on the National Register of Historic Places: Lincoln Park, Wilton Heights and Hacienda Park. Vintage homes in Lincoln Park and the surrounding historic districts include Craftsmen, Victorian, Tudor, Bungalow, Spanish Revival, Mid-Century modern, etc. Virtually all the homes were custom built from about 1900- 1940.
According to Van Allen, homes range in size from 7,000-3,000 square feet on lots ranging from 6,500-17,000 square feet. Home prices range anywhere from $150,000-$700,000.
Lincoln Park, the oldest of the four historic districts, stretches from Garey Avenue on the west to Towne Avenue on the east and from McKinley on the north to Holt on the south.
With the circular Lincoln Park at it’s center, the district’s tree lined streets invite residents to walk and talk to neighbors for a small town feel. The picturesque nature of the neighborhood also means that movies, TV shows and commercials are shot often in Lincoln Park.
And here’s a glimpse at one of the Lincoln Park peacocks, just one of the community’s beautiful quirks. They are very much a part of the neighborhood too!
Maintaining the beauty and charm
The 2014 LA County Preservation report card gave the city of Pomona an A (top mark!) for the amazing work the community does to maintain the historical character of the area.
Lincoln Park homeowners get the chance to join the Pomona Heritage organization and enjoy educational programs, social events, fundraisers and quarterly newsletters. Events like the Summer Picnic and Progressive Christmas dinner make neighbors friends and create a tight-knit community within the historic districts.
The community also encourages residents to keep their homes looking amazing by offering a Restoration Workshop each August focusing on helping homeowners learn more about restoring their homes.
Each year Pomona Heritage awards grants of up to $2,500 totaling $5,000 to applicants who have completed a restoration project. The emphasis is on curb appeal, but interior projects are always considered.
Homes in Lincoln Park are also eligible for the Mills Act, a special tax break for homeowners who restore and preserve qualified historic homes.
Vintage touches through the homes in the community include servant’s quarters and Butler Pantries as well as tie-ups for horses and a few carriage houses still standing today.
Not only is the community beautiful, it’s also charitable. One local project Van Allen and other local philanthropists are a part of is the Therapeutic Community Gardening Project. Set up just outside of Lincoln Park, it benefits at risk families and children.
“My wife and I own the property where we grow the gardens and my wife is the project manager of it” says Van Allen.
Lincoln Park also has a Neighborhood Watch, Shakespeare Club and takes part in the annual Pomona Beautification Day.
Local Fun
Every year the area holds the Annual Home Tour to celebrate and bring attention to the wonderful historic homes in Pomona. Pomona Heritage docents guide the public through a wide range of historic homes, churches, and commercial buildings throughout the three districts and city.
The 30th annual Pomona Heritage Historic Home Tour, chaired by Van Allen, was held just two months ago in December. The 2014 Historic Home Tour highlighted five historic homes of different architectural styles decorated for the holidays as well as the Pilgrim Congregational Church.
Check out the gorgeous historic architecture featured at the event…
This 1931 Spanish style home was new to the home tour this past year. The beauty is in the details; the house is filled with treasures that homeowner Debbie Huffy has collected in the 14 years she has lived there.
Schools serving Pomona’s Historic Districts
There are several private schools, magnet schools and arts schools in and around the Lincoln Park community. There are also over a half dozen colleges within just 15 minutes.
Public schools serving the neighborhood are a part of the Pomona Unified School District and include:
- Lincoln Elementary
- Emerson Middle School
- Pomona High School
Shopping Nearby
Residents enjoy lush local gardens, a farmer’s market, clubs downtown in the Arts District, plus theaters, restaurants and an Antiques District downtown – all within close proximity to two Metrolink Stations.
For the community’s greater needs there is also The Fairplex, Montclair Mall, The Shops at Chino Hills, plus tons of neighborhood essentials like Walmart, Sams Club and Costco are nearby.
Does the small town feel and adorable vintage charm of Lincoln Park in Pomona feel like home to you? If so, reach out to local First Team agent and area expert Fred Van Allen for more information.
