Charmed since it first took shape on the high cliffs of Laguna Beach nearly a century ago, the incomparable Villa Rockledge was the vision of Frank A. Miller and Arthur Benton, the developer and architect of Southern California's famous Mission Inn resort in Riverside. Built on a spectacular site Miller had owned since 1887, the estate was created as a gift to his wife, Marion. He called it Mariona.
In late 1918, under the watchful eyes of Miller and Benton, the crews and artisans who built the Mission Inn began to craft this stunning residence by hand – from the thick cement foundations and retaining walls to the rustic stone towers, large open oceanside porches and ornamental chimneys. Each leaded glass casement window, heavy beam, hand-sanded mahogany floor, wrought iron railing and masterpiece timework was handmade. The process took 4 years.
As the movie industry emerged, the growing coastal resort and art colony of Laguna Beach became a getaway playground. An invitation to Villa Rockledge was a highly coveted prize. Hollywood luminaries like Clifton Webb, Robert Mitchum and Errol Flynn basked on its private beach. Bette Davis met her future husband, William Grant Sherry, on the mystical estate.
In the same hands for 35 years, lovingly restored to its original grandeur, Villa Rockledge is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
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By Phone 949.566.1122 |
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By Email Info@weirproperties.com |
