Adventures continued for us today for supporting California and the road back from Covid by driving to Upland, keeping our spending local and helping the California small businesses in their recovery. This little historic town lies on historic Route 66 at the foot of Mount Baldy. The pioneering spirit lives large in this Inland Empire town.
With the help of our AAA Westways Magazine we first headed to the Upland German Deli. It is a popular deli and market where we intended to have lunch. Unfortunately even with the Covid restrictions being lifted, the owners have not yet opened indoor dining. They only have about 6 tables so social distancing would probably not be economical feasible. We looked around the store and spoke with one of the owners. We can see why this little place is popular for the locals with the unique items offered.
We purchased a couple of German beers to bring back home for Ed.
Being lunch time and not being able to eat at the German Deli, we found Brandon's Diner down the street. We love diners and this one has a large menu with a great selection of food. We enjoyed the atmosphere and our lunch.
Leaving Brandon's Diner we found our way over to Euclid Avenue where at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard, known to locals as "America's Main Street", stands the Madonna of the Trail monument. This statue pays tribute to the spirit of pioneer women. It is a beautiful piece of art portraying a frontier mom bravely facing the west, clutching an infant and a rifle while a toddler clings to her skirt.
From Wikipedia: "Madonna of the Trail is a series of 12 identical monuments dedicated to the spirit of the pioneer women in the United States. The monuments were commissioned by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. They were installed in each of the 12 states along the National Old Trails Road, which extends from Cumberland, Maryland to Upland, California. The monuments were intended to provide a symbol of courage and faith of the women whose strength and love aided so greatly in conquering the wilderness and establishing permanent homes."
Behind this memorial is the grand thoroughfare with a broad median lined with leafy trees. The Madonna of the Trails monument states "This trail trod by the Padres in the Spanish days became under Mexican rule. The road connecting Sand Bernardino and Los Angeles later the American Post Road".
On each side of the boulevard of these magnificent trees are historic homes on the fames Euclid Avenue Historic District. We drove the several blocks and took in the glorious views of the different style of homes in this district. The architecture is always fun to look at.
I had to stop and take a picture of this mailbox in front of one of the homes. We think it is great!
At the end of the boulevard about three miles from Mt. Baldy we came across a San Bernardino Fire Station that took our eye with this picturesque firefighter sculpture. And how perfectly placed in front of the station house and with a fire engine parked between the two.
From here we drove over to the short section that is left of old Route 66 in the Upland area. There are a handful of old historic restaurants from the era. We always hope that these places can be kept up and frequented so that they stay in business and do not disappear from our historic landscape.
We stopped for picture taking at the historic Magic Lamp Inn on Route 66. This is the what we picture of the grand restaurants of the 40s and 50s.
To wrap-up our visit to Upland, we swung-by City Hall to see the Upland Veterans' Plaza. The Upland Veterans' Monument Project features a 14-foot-tall pentagon black granite monument topped with a bronze American Eagle. The history of each branch of service, as well as information about U.S. military conflicts and campaigns are included on each panel of the monument and on other kiosks throughout the plaza.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice
All Gave Some ... Some Gave All
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