On October 28, 1959, Pilgrim Place charter board members would pay $100,000 for the property - $35,000 down, and the balance payable over a five-year period at 6%. The Board would repay Pilgrim Place on the basis of $1,000 for each lot sold.

Meanwhile, interest in the new project was growing in Redlands. It was necessary to present plans to the city government for approval. In May Mr. Herkelrath called on Mr. Herbert J. Powell, an A.I.A. architect in Los Angeles, to create a master plan for the site. Then came the presentation to the Redlands Planning Commission on June 5, 1959, and release to the press of the story of the proposed project.

As lots were sold and an infrastructure established, Plymouth Village grew into a pleasant and secure retirement community providing housing, health care and supportive services.

In 1959, the name "Plymouth Village" came into use. A 1973 brochure called the community a "congenial retirement plan which offers these essentials: security with independence and fellowship in congenial surroundings." The location along Cajon Street comprised a total of about sixteen and a half acres. The plan at this point was to accommodate two hundred and thirty persons, in a series of houses, bungalows, and apartments. No single floor plan was imposed for any of the dwellings; on the contrary, no two dwellings were alike. Variations were considered at the request of prospective occupants.

Although there was no admission fee at this time, applicants were asked for an initial payment to meet the actual costs of land and development. He or she could choose the floor plan and style of house he or she wished. The Administration could arrange a loan to meet the immediate costs of construction and landscaping, which the occupant repaid in accordance with the contract drawn between him and the Administration. Residents furnished their own utilities except for a minimum fee toward the total cost of water. They paid to the Administration also a monthly fee to cover maintenance of the grounds and buildings, fire insurance, management costs, trash disposal, city and county tax assessments, and fire and police protection.

The health of the residents was a concern from the beginning. Visiting nurse service was available, with a maximum charge of $4 per visit, and this amount was met from the money paid each month by residents to the Administration of Plymouth Village. Membership in a health assurance plan was open to all residents. As early as 1964 the Administration made arrangements with Highland Haven (later called Beverly Manor), a first-class rest home in Redlands, to admi Plymouth Village residents immediately without question of payment. The Board of Directors agreed to underwrite this plan. In those days the minimum charge was $10 per day in semi-private rooms. This was the beginning of the continuing care contract at Plymouth Village!

On August 10, 1959, an agreement was reached with the City of Redlands for a favorable tax structure for Plymouth Village residents. This was agreed upon by the City because (1) the project was a worthy one, and (2) it required less public service than ordinary family housing. Plymouth Village would, for example, maintain the roadways within the Village without City assistance.

At the same time, it was necessary to form an authoritative, incorporated body in Redlands. Members of the community committee were named to form this body and each contributed $125 to pay the expenses of forming Articles of Incorporation. Plymouth Village was then officially recorded as a non-profit corporation, on November 4, 1959.

Residents of Redlands were at first wary of the new project, and feared that new neighbors coming in with modest incomes would not be able to keep their property looking attractive. They feared lawns, gardens, and even the buildings would soon be seedy and disreputable.

It soon, however, became evident that Plymouth Village property would be well kept. Indeed it would set high standards for others to follow. In the beginning, credit for this should go to Dr. Forrest Kingsbury. In 1973 Plymouth Village was included in the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society's annual tour of outstanding gardens.

Contracts for the first houses were issued in January 1962, and building permits for eleven units were issued on March 20, 1962. By July, Plymouth Village was granted building permits, and started more housing units. In September 1962, Dr. and Mrs. Forrest A. Kingsbury, and the Jongewaard sisters, two of the first residents, moved into their completed houses.

There were no dining facilities in Plymouth Village. It was the Rev. Frank Toothaker who stepped in to help solve this need. Through him arrangements were made with the Commons at the University of Redlands for residents of Plymouth Village to get meals there, at the inexpensive rate allowed to students of the University. This plan continued in effect until 1967.

On October 30, 1962, the first meeting of residents was held in the Woolworth house. This meeting was the beginning of the Plymouth Village Residents Association.

The library, which had been started with the donation of resident Dr. Weeks' books in 1962, continued to grow. Under the chairmanship of Mrs. Hildegarde Swift, requests were circulated and books began to come in. Later resident Mrs. Olivia Price offered to lend books from her collection. Dr. Toothaker offered to supply shelving, and the library became a much-appreciated part of Plymouth Village life.

Nineteen sixty-four saw the birth of another very useful organization: the Plymouth Village Auxiliary. It came about in this way: on May 5, 1964, the Ways and Means Committee of the Corporation met, with Mr. Schultz as chairman. He spoke of the need for communication between Plymouth Village and the community of Redlands. The Rev. Harry G. Suttner, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Redlands, suggested that a Women's Auxiliary be organized with two young married women from each church to form the nucleus. These women could represent Plymouth Village at their churches, and also assist in fundraising activities. This was the original plan, but the group has never been made up in just that way, nor has it been that large. In 1972 it numbered twelve women. In spite of its few members it made itself felt in many ways vital to the life of Plymouth Village.

The first project of the Auxiliary was a strawberry festival. The festival was held on June 19, 1964. This festival became an annual event. It has made itself and Plymouth Village known in the community and at the same time provides fun and a means of raising money.

In March 1965, plans for a new building were announced. It was to be one story, housing a 16-bed medical unit, dining room and kitchen. There would also be four single rooms for Senior Living. Money was raised for the new building, which would meet efficiently the needs of Plymouth Village, at least for a time.

The Seventh Annual Meeting of the Corporation was held May 18, 1966. It was announced that $34,000 had been given toward the central building. $6,000 more was needed before a loan could be obtained. Plymouth Villagers, who now numbered forty-four in thirty home units, had given $ 5,000 toward the new structure. Various efforts were made to raise money. The Annual Strawberry Festival helped. The First Baptist Church assisted by hosting a dinner in July 1966 to raise funds.

A plan for the new structure was approved by the City Planning Commission in August 1966. Bids were opened in November for a 9.500 square foot building. A contract was signed in April 1967 with the contractor of the winning bid, for $156,000.

May 9, 1967 was a historic day in Plymouth Village, for on that day ground was broken for its new central building. On March 23, 1968 doctors of the Redlands Community Hospital were invited to see the new building, and especially its medical facilities. The following day, March 24, 1968, it was dedicated. The name, Edwards Hall, honors Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Edwards on whose property Plymouth Village is built. A daughter of this family provided the bronze plaque mounted next to the front entrance.

Essential to the functioning of the convalescent home were the dining-room and the kitchen. These serve the patients of the medical center, but also residents who may wish to arrange to eat meals there. Three women who were Plymouth Village residents at the time executed the planning and furnishing of the kitchen, dining-room, and lounge. Their eye for economy made it possible to equip these areas, attractively and well with a minimum of cost. One of these ladies became our first Director of Food Services.

During the months of building, another important change took place. Up to this time, Mr. Herkelrath had served as Administrator. He lived in Claremont, but gave two days a week to Plymouth Village. He was ably assisted by Dr. Forrest A. Kingsbury and the Rev. Theodore Prescott who, living in Plymouth Village, were on the spot to take care of many details. There was need, however, for a full-time administrator, so on October 1, 1967, Mr. Carl E. Anderson came into the office. In December he was officially appointed administrator. At this time there were forty residents, in thirty housing units.

By 1970, Plymouth Village residents now numbered 62. During this time, Edwards Hall had been enlarged. The Library-Lounge was added, additional rooms were built for medical center patients, and the Arts and Crafts room and solarium were very welcome additions.

In December of 1971, Plymouth Village received a gift from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation of Miami, Florida, in the amount of $45,000. This was used for parking and laundry facilities in the southern sector of the property. Another gift, of $75,000 was received from the Kresge Foundation in August 1972.

It has been noted that the Edwards mansions, once the center of the orange groves which became Plymouth Village, was used for a time as office and storage space, as well as living quarters, on a temporary basis. The building was not in condition to be used that way for long, and necessary rewiring, including installation of fire protection devices, was far too costly for the Village to manage. Thus, on July 12, 1983, after months of preparation, the old structure, cut in two, vertically, and mounted on enormous wheels, traveled through the city streets, to settle in its new home on California Street, adjacent to the new County Museum. It was an exciting day, and many both from the Village and the city watched the spectacle with wonder and awe. Donald W. Wilcott, acting for the Orange Tree Enterprises, bought the old house, with the payment of one silver dollar which, framed, occupies a prominent position in the Village. Repaired and renovated, the Mansion became a fine restaurant.

The establishment of the Heil Administration Building was an outstanding achievement of the year 1974. Started early in January and completed in July, this compact office building rose on the site of the old Edwards Mansion. Two former residents had given $ 111,000. The larger part of this covered the cost of this structure, and the balance went into the Endowment Fund.

The needs which the Auxiliary had met still existed, and in April another group, somewhat overlapping in personnel and similar in purpose, came into being. The members were called Plymouth Associates.

The Associates carried on the tradition of the Strawberry Festival, both to raise money and to create good public relations in the community. The money raised was used for hospital equipment and the purchase of materials from which members make nightgowns, bibs, and many other articles for patients. In the June 3 Festival, they cleared almost $400.

In 1974 there grew a discussion of a new building and the purchase of nearby land. Ten friends of the Village offered to lend $5,000 each, to make a down payment on 7.3 acres of land, east of the south end of Salem Dive. The land was indeed bought, with these funds.

In 1976, Mayor Charles DeMirjyn proclaimed October 9 “Plymouth Village Festival Day” and urged the citizens of Redlands to support this celebration. Greetings were sent by President Ford and Governors Reagan and Carter, Congresswoman Pettis, and Jerry Lewis.

On October 18, 1976, the minimum wage was raised nationwide, to $2.50 an hour. This resulted in an increase of fees in the Village. Charges in the Convalescent Hospital rose from $29 to $31 per day. Maintenance fees were increased 10 % looking toward the new year.

Our hospital continued to receive volunteer service from the Sunshine Ladies and other groups within the Plymouth Associates. In this year the Associates made 50 gowns and 25 bibs for the patients. They also bought a pair of scales equipped with a chair, so that a patient can be weighed while sitting down.

Some residents also gave free service to the hospital. They fed patients when needed, planned parties and services of worship, did mending and sewing, and helped in other ways. The chaplains committee of the Residents' Association was particularly involved in this way, but many others gave time and friendship.

The long-talked-about big building was finally actually started in 1978. The building would house 30 persons, provide a dining area, assembly hall, library, activity rooms, and space for storage and maintenance equipment. The term "The Lodge" in time came to refer to the west end of the building where were located the living units. Dedication of this completed building took place on March 30, 1980.

Loans were arranged with the Redlands Federal Savings and Loan Co. A Plymouth Village Development Campaign had been set up in 1976 to raise $600,000. By January 1978, pledges totaling $237,000 had been received, including a very generous number from residents.

Our construction company, Buster and Schuler, was given other assignments as well. One was to remodel Edwards Hall. With government approval the Convalescent Hospital increased its number of patient beds from 42 to 48.. A small chapel was planned, using one of the former patient rooms.

Mr. Carl Anderson, who had been administrator of the Village since October 1967, retired in the summer of 1978. He had led the Village through ten difficult years of pioneering work and slow but dramatic growth.

Another event of interest to all the Village in this year, was the 100^th birthday of Mr. Ernest Cronemeyer. Mr. Cronemeyer had been a patient in the Convalescent Hospital, having come from the community but not by way of residency in the Village. He was well-known and when he reached one hundred years of age on July 19, the whole Village celebrated. Since then some others have reached this great age and more, and have been fittingly honored, but Mr. Cronemeyer was the first.

The tiny chapel planned for the Convalescent Hospital was arranged in one of the former patient rooms. The beautiful windows came from a former Lutheran church in the city. Members of a Sunday School class, called The Methodonians, in the First United Methodist Church, furnished the room. All of this was to honor Dr. Frank Toothaker and his wife Bess. Frank had not only been a long-time teacher of the Sunday School class, but he had been active in the founding of the Village. He and Bess moved in as residents in 1970. Bess passed away February 23, 1981, and Frank lived until April 1984. The sanctuary was dedicated in 1981.

The big building, the planning and construction of which had absorbed countless days and the interest of all who watched the work progress, was finally finished in 1980. The speaker at the dedication service was Mr. Robert Pierpoint, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pierpoint, residents in the Village and active in its founding. He himself was a CBS White House correspondent. The Village Store opened March 30. The Hair Care Shop began to do business. The Library was set up, and also the Woodshop. The Arts and Crafts Committee, later called the Needlecraft Committee, used storage space in Hobbycraft #2.

There was increasing concern on the part of the Board of Directors of Plymouth Village over the financial future of the Village. In 1980 under the leadership of Dr. George Armacost and Dr. Fred Heisner, the Board decided to seek professional help in analyzing this situation. They called upon Crown Research, and the report from that group led them to consider professional management.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors held two special meetings on September 11 and 12 to receive proposals from California Lutheran Homes, America Baptist Homes of the West, and Presbyterian Homes of Southern California.

After these reports and many interviews with church-related home managers, the Board selected the American Baptist Homes of the West as the best qualified to manage Plymouth Village in such a way that the basic purposes of the Village could be realized. On October 6, the merger proposal was placed before the Corporation, the larger body of which the Board of Directors was the working core, and this was accepted by a two-thirds vote.

A resolution was passed unanimously to follow the dictates of the Corporation and proceed to consummate the merger. Plymouth Village then became one of 13 retirement homes administered by the American Baptist Homes of the West.

The first full year under ABHOW started well. The annual meetings of ABHOW were held in the Village on January 23 - 24. A new Board of Managers was elected for the Village, and Dr. Fred Heisner was installed as chairman. The following describes the transition:

Plymouth Village continues as the local retirement community and Convalescent Hospital of which the people of Redlands have been proud, and in addition, now has expert managerial skills and financial resources of ABHOW. The ABHOW Board determines the general policies of all ABHOW facilities and is the ultimate authority to ratify the decisions of the local Board concerning rates, budget, expansion plans, etc. It means much to the future of Plymouth Village that at the headquarters of ABHOW in Pleasanton, California, there are specialists in financial matters with sophisticated computer equipment, and specialists in nutrition, hospital management, and state and federal regulations. These persons visit Plymouth Village from time to time, and are available for advice and consultation at all times.

In August, 1981, the Village bought 6.13 adjacent acres of land. It was proposed to build 46 new living units on it. A ground-breaking ceremony was held two years later in June, 1983.

In August, 1984, ABHOW bought Kendall Place, a Redlands Heritage House adjacent to the northern end of Salem Drive. With it they also bought an adjoining property of 1.5 acres to the east. Kendall Place, built in 1902, needed restoration. A former resident of the Village, Miss Elsie Munzig, had left an estate of $400,000 to the Village, of which $100,000 was marked to put Kendall Place in order. The remainder of the estate was to go to the Endowment Fund. Current government standards of fire prevention and safety were, in time, satisfied, and the house furnished. It has since been used in part for office space, but also for social events and meetings for the Village and community.

By this year, our Health Center was maintaining a 93.9 % occupancy level.

On July 30, 1996, The Grove was dedicated for residents with Dementia, at a ceremony that included friends and about 50 donors.

Today, Plymouth Village continues to be a thriving and cherished retirement community that makes the most of its resources and beautiful surroundings.

The Council of Plymouth Village Residents Association meets monthly. It is an advisory body and is composed of officers and representatives of projects and activities committees. The Association of all the residents meets every two months.

Our local Board of Managers is composed of Redlands citizens. Issues of Plymouth Village pass through this group of interested people and their reflection is of utmost importance. Their will in such matters as personnel and budgets must come as recommendations before these matters proceed to ABHOW, and they are fully considered in the governance of our community.

Contact Plymouth Village if you are interested in more information.