Grey Gables of Ojai
Grey Gables of Ojai is among America's most historic retirement communities. It is the birthplace of AARP. But even more than that, it helped define the modern retirement lifestyle. Many of the innovations Grey Gables introduced are now standard practice in retirement communities.
The original farmhouse at 701 N. Montgomery St in Ojai was built c1900. It was converted into a resident for teachers in 1944-48 by Alee Barbee Sanford. It was unsuccessful. Then in 1954 Dr Andrus purchased it as a retirement home for teachers.
Retired teachers came from across the United States to live at Grey Gables. There they found a supportive environment, very different from the nursing homes of the time.
The original farmhouse at 701 N. Montgomery St in Ojai was built c1900. It was converted into a resident for teachers in 1944-48 by Alee Barbee Sanford. It was unsuccessful. Then in 1954 Dr Andrus purchased it as a retirement home for teachers.
Retired teachers came from across the United States to live at Grey Gables. There they found a supportive environment, very different from the nursing homes of the time.
Photo of Dr Andrus, center, with a model of Grey Gables used at the 1965 New York World's Fair. Courtesy: The Gables of Ojai
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At the 1965 New York World's Fair Grey Gables was publicized as the "future of retirement living in America." It was the first of its kind, "a beautiful, non-institutional retirement home with opportunities for health care, growth and renewal of the individual. The image of aging and retirement developed here became the model for our modern retirement lifestyle."
Residents of Grey Gables furnished their own rooms, was given a plot of land for a personal gardens, and could own cars to come and go as they pleased. A resident council, not the staff, decided what activities were available. Recreational facilities included a pool, shuffleboard court, and The Hobby Shop, a workspace and classroom to learn and practice new skills. |
Residents were encouraged to plant a tree from their home state at Grey Gables. The variety of trees that remain on the property is impressive.
This section of our website has been funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Telling the Full Story Preservation Fund, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in on the website do not necessarily represent those of the National Trust or the National Endowment for the Humanities.