Casa Romantica

Casa Romantica is located in San Clemente, California, and was built by Ole Hanson. In 1927, Carl Lindbom was commissioned to design a home with seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. This building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Orange County, California, on December 27, 1991.[1]

Casa Romantica
Casa Romantica as viewed from San Clemente Pier
Location 415 Avenida Granada
San Clemente, California 92672
Nearest city San Clemente
Coordinates 33°25′18.04″N 117°37′13.87″W / 33.4216778°N 117.6205194°W / 33.4216778; -117.6205194Coordinates: 33°25′18.04″N 117°37′13.87″W / 33.4216778°N 117.6205194°W / 33.4216778; -117.6205194
Built 1927
Architect Carl Lindbom
Architectural style Spanish Colonial Revival
NRHP Reference # 91001900[2]
Added to NRHP December 27, 1991

History

Construction

San Clemente is one of the first master planned cities in California. Co-founder Ole Hanson came to the site to create his ideal community, a "Spanish Village by the Sea." In 1927, Hanson built the Casa Romantica as his family home, and expression of his version of the California Dream. The seven-bedroom, seven-bath house was designed by Carl Lindbom, who also designed La Casa Pacifica (the former Western White House).[3] Hanson, who wanted to become president as a child, but also lost a bid for Presidency in 1920, built his own "White House" that included the finest materials, wood, and innovations in construction. Ole traveled extensively, gathering furniture for the house, Plants for the gardens, and even exotic birds to stroll through the grounds. Colorful fish even filled the courtyard pool.[4]

Ownership

Over the years, the house has been owned or operated by at least seven individuals or organizations, and has been renamed at least three times. The current owner is the San Clemente Redevelopment Agency who purchased the property from the Welsh Family Partnership.

Two of the past owners are well known, including the original owner, Ole Hansen, and the ex- Mrs. Fred Waring.,

Years Owner/Operator Property Name Purchase Price Usage
1927 Ole Hanson Unknown Unknown Home
1934 Bank Of America Unknown Foreclosed Home
1941 Neil and Lucy Rasmussen[5] Unknown $10,000 Home
1946 Lambert and Patricia Schuyler (Co-Authors of book titled "Close That Bedroom door!"[6]) Casa Romantica $30,000 Home
1952 Evalyn Waring (Ex-Wife of Fred Waring) Casa Romantica $64,644.44 Home
1956 Muriel & Leslie Whitehouse Casa Blanca (after their name) $45,000 Home
1960 George and Louise Welsh Casa Descana then Casa Romantica $43,591 Senior Citizens' Home
1984 Leased to Private Business Casa Romantica Special Events
2000 San Clemente Redevelopment Agency Casa Romantica $2,500,000 Special Events

Current Usage

Cultural Center

Casa Romantica has become one of the first cultural centers in Orange County to offer School Outreach programs, Artistic Workshops, Poetry events, Musical events, Gardening and other special interest events. [7]

Casa Romantica Reading Series

For six years, Casa Romantica hosted the Casa Romantica Reading Series [8] offering many special guests participating in reading poetry. This series ended in 2009.

Weddings & Special Events

Casa Romantica can also be reserved for special events including weddings and private events.

Address

415 Avenida Granada San Clemente, California, 92672, USA

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ocweekly.com/2006-04-20/culture/south-county-poetics/
  2. ↑ http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ca/orange/state.html
  3. ↑ http://www.CasaRomantica.org/history.html
  4. ↑ http://www.californiahistorian.com/articles/ole-hanson.html
  5. ↑ http://sanclementetimes.com/view/full_story/6695814/article-The-Jewel-of-San-Clemente
  6. ↑ "The Mankind Quarterly". July 1961: 69. Retrieved 12/8/2012. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  7. ↑ http://www.casaromantica.org/events.html
  8. ↑ http://www.casaromanticareadingseries.org/

External links

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