Since opening its doors in 1915, Claremont Resort & Club has stood as a landmark in the Berkeley Hills, blending historic elegance with modern luxury. Over the decades, the resort has welcomed generations of guests for memorable stays, celebrations, and events. From its classic architecture and sweeping Bay views to its award-winning spa and dining, Claremont continues to honor its rich heritage while offering contemporary experiences that inspire and delight.
The history of the Claremont Resort & Club dates back to the late 1800’s, when a man from the mid-west named Bill Thornburg came into riches through his association with George Hearst. He promised his wife and daughter he would build a home that looked like an English castle, so he purchased 13,000 acres from the Peralta Land Grant and built a Tudor-style turreted home with stables that housed pedigreed horses. Their fascination with English society eventually resulted in the marriage of their daughter to an English lord and her move to England. They sold the property to a new family – the Ballards. Unfortunately tragedy struck in July of 1901 when the house burned to the ground one especially dry windy day.
In 1904 the property was bought by local investors: San Francisco lawyer Frank Havens, Francis “Borax” Smith of “The Twenty Mule Team” cleanser fame and a developer named John H. Spring. They wanted to build a resort up in the hills for city folks from San Francisco to come enjoy, with trains running directly into the lobby. The “E” line never actually made it into the Lobby, but trains stopped between the tennis courts below our grounds, transporting guests from the ferries at the Oakland waterfront. The tracks were removed in 1958 when the Key Rail System ended, but the tennis courts remain with a path between them where the old rail tracks used to be.
In 1937 Claude Gillum who had worked at the Hotel Claremont as a night clerk since 1926, purchased the property for $250,000 and just in time. Big Bands were coming into vogue and the Claremont became the place for dancing, dining and imbibing. For a time, a radio station even broadcast live from the hotel. Some will remember The Claremont’s Garden Room “high atop the hill” where such famous bands as Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Tommy Dorsey all had performed.
