About the Society

The Glendora Historical Society was founded in 1947 to help preserve the history of Glendora, and the surrounding area once known as the Upper San Gabriel Valley. The Society cares for two historic sites that the public can visit: Rubel Castle and the Glendora Museum.

The Glendora Museum is located in the original City Hall which also served as the city jail and firehouse. It now houses exhibition spaces displaying the museum collections. It is open most Saturdays as well as special Research Days. For additional information please visit the Museum Page. For special events and opportunities to visit the museum or conduct research in the archives, please check our calendar and our Events Page.

Rubel Castle is a monumental folk architecture site nestled in the foothills of Glendora. It was entirely built by hand by Michael Rubel and his "pharmhands" over several decades. Its stone masonry was handcrafted of river rock, recycled materials and an assemblage of the relics and artifacts of Glendora's early agricultural and industrial eras. Michael's innovative use of both natural and cultural materials makes Rubel Castle an exceptionally important masterwork within the context of folk art environments in California. It also serves as a rare resource and physical reminder of the citrus industry, which played a significant role in the development of the area in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. It is open for guided tours by appointment only. To visit the Castle please reserve a tour: rubeltours.org.

General Meetings & History Presentations

Our general meetings always feature presentations from guest speakers on historical subjects. Topics in the past have included "Los Angeles Theatres & Segregation," as well as "The Last Deputy of Wyatt Earp." The presentations are FREE and open to the public. For a list of upcoming presentations and other events please visit our Events Page.

Membership

The Society has members across the United States and anyone is welcome to join! Membership starts at only $15.00, per year. For details on membership levels please visit our membership enrollment page, or click "Join Us" on the menu above.

Donations are needed and always welcome! Donate Today!

Your donations help the Society preserve Rubel Castle, the Glendora Museum and their collections for future generations. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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