Casa Romantica

Ole Hanson, a real estate developer and one-time mayor of Seattle, visited San Clemente in the early 1920s and chose the site to create his ideal community, a "Spanish Village by the Sea." On December 6, 1925, Hanson persuaded people who had driven from Los Angeles and the surrounding areas for a free chicken dinner and a sales pitch to buy more than 300 lots in what then was a desolate landscape remote from the rest of southern California.[4] Hanson and co-founder H.H. Cotton devised San Clemente as one of the first master-planned cities in California, with town boundaries consisting of roughly five miles of coastline by one mile from the shores to the inland hills.

Historic azulejo fountain.

In 1927, Hanson commissioned architect Carl Lindbom to design a home for his family that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Lindbom, who also designed La Casa Pacifica (the former Western White House), realized the construction of Hanson's California Dream home: a seven-bedroom, seven-bath house[5] that included the finest materials and innovations in construction at that time. The foundation for the home was built by Oscar Easley who did much of the street grading for San Clemente, and also established the Oscar Easley Block, which later became City Hall.[6] The Hanson family brought exotic furnishings, plants, and animals to the home, with colorful fish that filled the courtyard pool and several horses for beach rides.[7]

On Tuesday April 25th, the city council had approved budget for a study on how to stabilize the hillside due to cracks discovered in the ground on April 16th.Thursday, April 27, 2023, there was a 20 foot landslide just below the patio, causing significant damage to the structure and surrounding residence buildings. Many weddings which were planned had to be rescheduled to new venues. [8]

This landslide resulted in the termination of railroad service for the Metrolink (California) between Laguna Niguel/San Juan Capistrano/San Clemente and Oceanside CA. As of May 4th, 2023, Freight service BNSF resumed two to four trains per day, but with a slowed down speed of 10 to 15 mph for safety reasons.[9]

According to official statements from the Casa Romantica Cultural Center, portions of the estate may partially reopen at the end of May 2023, and they are exploring additional options for hosting upcoming cultural events off site. There are efforts to assess and repair the damage caused by the landslide.[10] Casa Romantica has also turned to the Community to help with raising at least $250,000 Dollars US to help fund required repairs. [11]

Hanson's vision of a master-planned Spanish village prospered until the Great Depression destroyed the national economy. In 1934, the Bank of America foreclosed on the Casa Romantica. Hanson paid his $3 million debt by endowing the bank $12 million in mortgages.

The original property was five acres, but during the mid 20th century, 2.5 acres were sold.[12]

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 courtyard of Casa Romantica.

The San Clemente Historical Society appealed to the City of San Clemente to purchase Casa Romantica and its 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) of gardens, and to register it as a historic landmark. Casa Romantica was purchased by the San Clemente Redevelopment Agency in 1989, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 1991.

For the next several years, its proposed use was debated, but a city council vote in November 2001 determined that the landmark would be designated as a cultural center with a mixture of public and private funding.[14] The vote was swayed by a $1.25M anonymous donation through the Orange County Community Foundation that earmarked the funds for use in a cultural arts or educational center.[15] Following a $3.6M renovation, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens opened its doors to the public in 2003.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, horticulture and literature. As the epicenter of arts and culture in south Orange County, the cultural center produces over 60 concerts, workshops, classes, recitals, lectures, and events per year. Several of its programs have been recognized by the regional press, including the Classical Music Festival and Academy[16] and its specially-commissioned rendition of the Shakespearean play Hamlet.[17]

Casa Romantica is a member of the American Horticultural Society. The 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) of gardens are an example of coastal landscaping that includes some of the original plantings made by Ole Hanson in 1927. Also included in the Garden is a display of Native American plants used by the Acjachmen Indians.[2]

Casa Romantica is led by its Executive Director, Amy Behrens, and the President of the Board of Trustees, Ruth Denault.[18]

Casa Romantica is used for special events including weddings, photography and videography shoots, and corporate events. It has been featured as a top Orange County destination in WeddingWire,[19] Sunset magazine,[20] The Knot,[21] and AAA's Westways magazine.[22]