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San Clemente home of the first Western White House
Author: Tim Nebergall | Date Posted: 11/07/2008
Before the Spanish arrived this area was populated by the Juaneño Indians. It was admired by explorers and passing settlers, but was very sparsely settled until the Mission San Juan Capistrano was established by Father Junipero Serra. This led to both Indian and Spanish settlers setting up nearby villages. Once the Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded, the local natives worked for the mission. This began the very first instance of San Clemente real estate.
Even though the property changed hands often, few built on the land until 1925, when the former Mayor of Seattle, Ole Hanson purchased and designed a community here. Hanson knew that pleasant climate of the area including the beautiful beaches and fertile soil would be a special place for those tired of more urbanized areas. Mr. Hanson named the city after San Clemente Island which was named by the explorer Vizcaino.
This community was built to be a Spanish style coastal resort town. All property deeds in San Clemente required building plans to be submitted to an architectural review board in an effort to ensure that development retains some Spanish influence.
The promotion of the new area was a huge success. The city consists of buildings built in the classic Spanish style with red tile roofs. Public structures such as the Community Center, the Beach Club and the pier and Max Berg Plaza Park, which he built were later donated to the city.
Hanson proclaimed, "I have a clean canvas and I am determined to paint a clean picture. Think of it - a canvas five miles long and one and one-half miles wide!" when talking about how the city would be developed.
Soon after San Clemente was incorporated, the need for a fire house was realized. The headlines in San Clemente’s first newspaper, El Heraldo de San Clemente in June of 1928 read: "Building to house local fire department will be constructed by popular subscription and turned over to the city when completed!" Individual donations were received in the amounts from $6 to $1,500 from the local citizens.
In 1969 President Richard Nixon purchased a Spanish mansion in the southern part of town. The "Western White House" became the site of numerous historical meetings. The Old City Plaza also at one time had a small Nixon museum inside when the city occupied the premises.
Nixon's Western White House
In 1968 President Richard Nixon bought the Cotton estate. Nixon called it La Casa Pacifica but it was nicknamed the Western White House. This term is now commonly used for a President's vacation home. During Nixon's presidency it was visited by many world leaders, including Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Prime Minister of Japan Eisaku Sato, Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, and Henry Kissinger, as well as businessman Bebe Rebozo. Following his resignation, Nixon retired to San Clemente to write his memoirs.
Before the Spanish arrived this area was populated by the Juaneño Indians. It was admired by explorers and passing settlers, but was very sparsely settled until the Mission San Juan Capistrano was established by Father Junipero Serra. This led to both Indian and Spanish settlers setting up nearby villages. Once the Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded, the local natives worked for the mission. This began the very first instance of San Clemente real estate.
Even though the property changed hands often, few built on the land until 1925, when the former Mayor of Seattle, Ole Hanson purchased and designed a community here. Hanson knew that pleasant climate of the area including the beautiful beaches and fertile soil would be a special place for those tired of more urbanized areas. Mr. Hanson named the city after San Clemente Island which was named by the explorer Vizcaino.
This community was built to be a Spanish style coastal resort town. All property deeds in San Clemente required building plans to be submitted to an architectural review board in an effort to ensure that development retains some Spanish influence.
The promotion of the new area was a huge success. The city consists of buildings built in the classic Spanish style with red tile roofs. Public structures such as the Community Center, the Beach Club and the pier and Max Berg Plaza Park, which he built were later donated to the city.
Hanson proclaimed, "I have a clean canvas and I am determined to paint a clean picture. Think of it - a canvas five miles long and one and one-half miles wide!" when talking about how the city would be developed.
Soon after San Clemente was incorporated, the need for a fire house was realized. The headlines in San Clemente’s first newspaper, El Heraldo de San Clemente in June of 1928 read: "Building to house local fire department will be constructed by popular subscription and turned over to the city when completed!" Individual donations were received in the amounts from $6 to $1,500 from the local citizens.
Homes for sale in San Clemente
In 1969 President Richard Nixon purchased a Spanish mansion in the southern part of town. The "Western White House" became the site of numerous historical meetings. The Old City Plaza also at one time had a small Nixon museum inside when the city occupied the premises.
Nixon's Western White House
In 1968 President Richard Nixon bought the Cotton estate. Nixon called it La Casa Pacifica but it was nicknamed the Western White House. This term is now commonly used for a President's vacation home. During Nixon's presidency it was visited by many world leaders, including Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Prime Minister of Japan Eisaku Sato, Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, and Henry Kissinger, as well as businessman Bebe Rebozo. Following his resignation, Nixon retired to San Clemente to write his memoirs.
If you are looking for homes for sale in San Clemente , you can search the multiple listing service (San Clemente MLS).
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San Clemente Real Estate, homes for sale in San Clemente, San Clemente homes for sale
San Clemente Real Estate, homes for sale in San Clemente, San Clemente homes for sale
