San Gorgonio Inn Banning, CA

"San Gorgonio Inn" 6 x 6 oil on canvas board by Terry d. Chacon

Yes, sadly the San Gorgonio Inn in Banning, Ca. is going to be torn down to make room for a multi purpose facility. It is kind of sad to paint dilapidated old buildings that have such history in their communities. Knowing this will make way for the modern new building which I suppose will one day have its own history. San Gorgonio Inn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I chose to paint the Googie style sign which still says the Inn is open with some lettering as to the times in red which are sporadically placed. I loved the stylized lettering San Gorgonio Inn and the reference to good food, also the view of the San Jacinto Mountains with snow covered peaks. How does a place with such history go down the tubes? Knowing that this was once a stopover for stage coaches and that a President had even stayed there seems to me the city would capitalize on this and make it a national monument. Bring people to Banning, what a concept!


"Back Door" San Gorgonio Inn 5 x 7 oil on canvas board by Terry d. Chacon

This is the back door to the facility which has some overgrown palm trees hovering over the opening. I especially loved this view as the distant San Jacinto mountains with snow are always one of my favorites to paint this time of year. For those of you who have followed my blog for the past few years will remember me saying this many times, where else can you paint palm trees and snow covered mountains. Yes, So. Cal., has many ski resorts and this year they have been blanketed with snow. It is all around us any direction we care to look and paint.

Banning sits along Interstate 10, nestled up against the San Gorgonio Mountain Pass. The views these people have are so picturesque. It is an old community with a lot of history. A new gallery called "The Haven" Coffee Shop and Art Gallery has recently opened. The Haven Serves great lattes of which we started our day with and a really delicious bagel. The gallery is spacious with beautiful architecture bringing back the old copper ceiling, wood floors and brick walls.

10 PAAR (Plein Air Artists of Riverside) including myself, will have an exhibit of the San Gorgonio Inn paintings starting April 17 through May 17. An opening reception will be held Friday, April 23, 2010 from 6 to 8 and the public is invited. Meet the plein air artist who have once again recorded a place in time. My little gems of a building with so much history soon to be replaced, will be available for sale.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon