Tustin Trivia Time

The Tustin Preservation Conservancy was founded in 2004 by Linda Jennings, in an effort to save the historic Utt Juice building from being demolished.  While those efforts ultimately failed, what other Historic Tustin Building was TPC successful in stepping in to help save?

A. The Tustin Garage (1915)

B. The First Doctor’s office of Tustin (1885)

C. Knights of Pythias meeting hall (1925)

D. The Sherman Steven’s House (1887

Answer: B. The First Doctor’s office of Tustin (1885)

Did you Know?

Constructed in 1885 for Dr. James Sheldon, Tustin’s first physician, this historic building has been part of the community for more than 140 years. The Sheldons were one of Tustin’s prominent pioneering families. Dr. Sheldon’s daughter later married C.E. Utt, and together they had five children.

After Dr. Sheldon retired, Dr. Boyd occupied the building until the 1920s. It later housed Tustin’s postmistress before becoming a clothing store in the 1930s.

One of the building’s most memorable chapters began in 1959, when Margaret Pottenger fell in love with its large bay windows and rented the storefront for just $75 a month. She opened The Jabberwocky, a clothing store exclusively for teenage girls. Margaret purchased the building in 1964 and moved into the residence behind it. For nearly 30 years, The Jabberwocky was a beloved Tustin fixture, hosting fashion shows throughout the community—including one that even featured an appearance by The Beach Boys!

Tragedy struck on December 14, 2011, when an unattended candle sparked a devastating fire. Much of the building was destroyed, but remarkably, its historic front façade survived nearly unscathed. With a $40,000 insurance policy covering only a fraction of the rebuilding cost, the building’s future was uncertain. The Tustin Preservation Conservancy stepped in with a $10,000 fundraising campaign to help save it.

When the family feared the building might have to be demolished, Old Town resident and architect Nathan Menard developed a plan for its restoration. Working with Margaret’s nephew, contractor Jim Shumar, they recreated the original building and seamlessly integrated it with the surviving historic façade.

The restored building reopened in 2015 and today is home to Hola Adios Coffee, continuing its long tradition as a gathering place in the heart of Old Town Tustin.

Margaret continued to live in the home behind the building until her passing in March 2024 at the age of 94, marking more than six decades of her life connected to this special piece of Tustin history.