6100 Brydon Rd
La Verne, CA 91750, USA

DeWenter Mansion, Guest House and Grounds (DeWenter Ranch) - National Register of Historic Places

Statement of Significance:

The DeWenter Mansion, Guest House, and Grounds are excellent examples of the fine houses and grounds built by the successful citrus ranch owner during the 1920’s, 30's and 40's. The mansion is a superior example of the Spanish Colonial style in the La Verne area, and exhibits unusual attention to detail, using a variety of Spanish Colonial Revival architectural elements. Although most of the 299+ acre citrus ranch has been sold to another party, the mansion, surrounding gardens, guest house, live oak canyon, aviary, and part of the orange grove are preserved on the A.22-acre property. Its setting, on a low rise at the end of a private road, will remain intact. The mansion and grounds are representative of tile success of the citrus industry in the la Verne area. The mansion, guest house, and grounds retain their integrity of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. William Werner, prominent Los Angeles architect, designed the main house and Pacific Systems Homes, also of Los Angeles built the guest house under the direction of architect. Saul H. Brown.

Ranch History;
The Baker family, for whom the canyon on the west is named, were the first owners of this property. They tried dry farming and a variety of fruit crops on the land, but were unsuccessful with those ventures. In 1917 Dr. Randall, of Los Angeles, bought the ranch and began to develop the irrigation system and, in the late 1920's, planted the first citrus crops. Eureka Lemons, Lisbons, and Valencia oranges were planted. When the DeWenters, Henry and Paul, purchased the property in 1937, they continued the progress of the citrus ranching. Twelve wells and two large reservoirs supplemented the original spring-fed water system.

Henry DeWenter continued to work the ranch until he died in 1962. He and his wife, who died in 1965, occupied the mansion until they passed away. Their son, Paul DeWenter, was a young man when the facility moved to the ranch. He lived in a cabin in the hills while his parents were living in the guest house, which was the first house built by the DeWenters on the property. When they moved into the big house, Paul moved into the guest house and continued to live there with his family, until the 1960’s. Paul was a full-time citrus rancher during his entire adult life. Paul DeWenter and his family lived at the ranch until they sold it a few years ago and moved to Hawaii. During the time the DeWenter families lived in the house it was maintained in its original condition. Hughes Development corporation, who purchased the property and careful to protect the property until it was sold to the Gliniak family in early 1991. The Gliniaks are planning to clean and repair, where necessary, the mansion and guest house. One of the few changes to be made will be the modernization of the kitchen.

Historic Context:
The DeWenter Mansion, guest house, outbuildings, and grounds were all part of an estate that had a picture-perfect setting at the top of a gentle slope, with the backdrop of the mountains behind, and citrus groves on the slope in the front. The live oak canyon on the west has its original character. The house contains large open entertaining areas and the yard features an expansive patio, stone fireplace, and pergola. Although some of the plant life has died out, the majority of the specimen trees and plants remain. The house and gardens will be restored to represent the home of a successful citrus rancher during the heyday of the citrus industry, La Verne’s principal economic force.

There were 3 large Mediterranean Revival citrus ranch houses in the La Verne area. One of these, the Lewis Estate, is churrigueresque in style and sits surrounded by a tract. Its gardens and setting are gone. The Romick House, a Monterey Revival-style home built in 1929-30, has recently been demolished. The DeWenter Mansion, with its surrounding character-defining setting, will survive as a good example of the home of one. Of the wealthiest citrus ranchers in the La Verne area.

Agriculture:
By the 1920's La Verne had become one of the major centers of citrus production in Southern California. The small town was surrounded by citrus groves which reached to the top of the foothills on the north and into the valley to the south. The La Verne Fruit Exchange had two divisions: The Orange Association, and the Lemon Association. In the late 1930's the Lemon house employed approximately 175 persons with a payroll of $75,000. The Orange Association, with A75 employees, had an annual payroll of $152,000 a year. Even though the nation was in a Depression, the citrus industry in the La Verne area continued to grow. The La Verne Citrus Association, the Exchange's competitor, earned $5,203,985.97 between 1925 and 193h. Citrus was the main source of income for La Verne residents into the 1960's, and the city enjoyed a reputation as a producer of top-grade citrus through those years.

The DeWenter homes and grounds are good examples of Che home of a successful citrus rancher during the heyday of the citrus ranching business in La Verne.