Visit to Ojai - Beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival

Travel

Sep 29

I find it fortunate to be based in Los Angeles where a wide variety of styles are accepted and adopted by various groups of people despite the city’s relatively short history. I personally tend to prefer contemporary and modern styles, often with a hint of Asian elements. However, it is always fascinating to understand how different styles have evolved and been interrelated to each other over time. During a visit to Ojai this week, I happened to see a number of structures in the Spanish Colonial Revival style which was dominant during the early 20th century in Southern California.

The city of Ojai is located 1.5 hours north of Los Angeles. For 15,000 years, Chumash, the Native American inhabited the southern and central California coast including this Ojai Valley. They believed in the valley’s spiritual and mystical powers, which Ojai is still known for today. In 1837, shortly after the Spanish discovered California to be their second home with its comfortable climate, Fernando Tico obtained Ojai as a land grant from the Mexican government. Upon a handover of the land to speculators and a railroad development over the next few decades, Ojai accepted and was established by migrants from the Midwest and the East coast, and also grew to be a popular destination during winter for the wealthy from those areas. Edward Drummond Libbey, a glass business owner in Ohio and philanthropist was one of these admirers. He fell in love with Ojai, and put tremendous resources to convert it to a beautiful and sophisticated city that we appreciate today. His contributions included a landmark post office, a shopping arcade, a private country club which is currently known as an amazing resort hotel, all in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. You can often spot his name Libbey as you walk around the town and feel his contributions.

As mentioned earlier, it is interesting to understand impacts each style influenced others. Although Spanish Colonial Revival is generally known for its low pitched red terracotta tile roof, arches, multi-pane windows, wrought iron fixtures, fountains and stucco walls, it is unavoidable to notice how the style incorporates outdoor life into living. It appreciates the surrounding environment and allows a building to beautifully blend in. Many modern styles continue to maintain such a concept and embrace the outdoors.

In Ojai, I also wanted to check out a property designed by Paul Williams, the first African American architect, also known as one who mastered a wide range of styles. The Ford Residence was commissioned by William Ford for his personal property designed in Spanish Colonial Revival. Unfortunately, the property was sold to an individual back in 2017 and currently covered with thick green foliage. I only figured this out after riding a bicycle there in 95 degree heat! It is, though fun to explore any town to look for properties designed by your favorite architects. My travels to understand and appreciate architecture and interior design examples continues…