Ole Hanson's CASA ROMANTICA

San Clemente, CA, May 18, 2012:  Ole Hanson was a Wisconsin-born Republican politician who was active in Washington State politics in the early 20th century and the 33rd mayor of Seattle.  In 1925 he was the mover and shaker behind a syndicate that established the city of San Clemente, CA along the southern coastline of Orange County.  This "Spanish Village by the Sea" originally incorporated deed restrictions requiring architectural review to ensure Spanish style, red tile roof buildings.  

In 1927, Hanson, who had 10 children, built a home with 9 bedrooms and bathrooms on a prime promontory overlooking the coast in central San Clemente.  He hired the same architect who had designed a home for the syndicate's prime investor, H.H. Cotton, on a similar promontory at the southern end of San Clemente.  Hanson lost his house to foreclosure in 1934 and thereafter, with a succession of owners, became known as Casa Romantica.  Cotton's house was eventually acquired by President Richard M. Nixon who called it Casa Pacifica.

 Casa Romantica is now operated as a cultural center and open to the public for tours.

 

 View of courtyard from inside front door (left); Beehive fireplace in the outdoor family room (above).

 

Entrance to the Main Salon.

Courtyard view from the Main Salon entrance.

The main salon (left) has a sunken enclosed atrium with fountain and chandelier and a fireplace on the ocean facing wall. 

Doors on either side offer spectacular view of the Pacific and the San Clemente Pier.

The Main Salon has interestings displays of the history of the development of San Clemente and other cities in Southern California.

 Hanson's octagonal office off the off the Main Salon has a spectacular view of the pier.

The patio overlooks the ocean.

 

 

 There was also an exhibition of artwork by students at San Clemente High School.