Woodruff Houses
Following his success as founder and promoter of Hollywoodland, Sidney Woodruff set his sights on Dana Point. He bought out the failed San Juan Point Corporation development and began promotion for Dana Point in 1927-28 as “the only romantic spot on the coast.” Woodruff had plans drawn for the 200-room Dana Point Inn with polo fields, two golf courses, tennis courts, riding trails, and pools. He commissioned Glendale architect Charles A. Hunter to design the inn. Hunter was also the architect for around 40 houses before the Wall Street Crash of 1929 sapped the financial resources of Woodruff and ultimately doomed the project. Over 30 of those houses are still standing, many looking much like they did almost 100 years ago.
Dana Point, Orange County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt