California Hotel
Groundbreaking for the California Hotel in Fullerton was held January 22nd, 1922, at which Fullerton Community Hotel Company board member S.C. Hartranft noted that “…now we are going to have the finest hotel in the state! A triumph unparalleled.” The three-story, U-shaped stucco on brick building was designed by M. Eugene Durfee of Anaheim and Frank Benchley of Fullerton in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The Class A hotel was dedicated on January 15th, 1923, with 22 apartments, 55 guest rooms, 10 first floor storefronts, two kitchens, a dining room, and a large elaborate dining room. The building was redeveloped into a series of small shops, restaurants and offices now known as Villa del Sol in 1965 following the serious protest that was mounted against demolishing it and building a car wash in its place. It is a City of Fullerton Landmark.
Fullerton, Orange County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt