History of San Clemente

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Overview:

The area on which San Clemente sits today was not inhabited until approximately 1776 when the Mission at San Juan Capistrano was founded by Father Serra. Both Indians and Spanish settlers began to build and inhabit villages in the locale. Though the property of this area exchanged hands on a number of occasions, not much building was done until after 1925. At this time, Ole Hanson, a previous mayor of Seattle, Washington, bought the property in the area. He felt it was just the spot for those who yearned for the "country"life and slower pace. He named the area San Clemente. He used the name of the nearby San Clemente Island. This island was named by its discoverer, Vizcaino. The namesake was Saint Clement, who was the patron saint of November 23. This, of course, was the day Vizcaino had arrived on the island.

Ole Hanson had all the buildings in the area use a classic Spanish style utilizing the red tile roof which was characteristic of the Spanish influence. He promoted the city, which he called "San Clemente by the Sea", successfully to many others who purchased properties here. The City was incorporated on 27 February 1928. The city maintained its lifestyle and slower pace until an event occurred in 1969 that brought the area national attention. This was the year in which President Nixon purchased a mansion in town which he designated the "Western White House." The growth and view by others of San Clemente was great after the 60's, though the small town atmosphere for which it was known did not change. It continues to be a great place to live and raise a family. It is a stable, as well as balanced, community, which exhibits much local pride. The residents love to claim they have the "world's finest climate."

Ole Hanson:

Chosen as arbitrator in a large land dispute in Mexico City, he was given a one-half interest in 52,000 acres of oil land there. He left Mexico City for the States worth half a million dollars. While in Mexico, he envisioned Southern California in a new perspective.

Ole Hanson had first discovered the San Clemente area years before on a train trip between Los Angeles and San Diego. He had even paid a deposit to John Forster for Capistrano Beach, but later changed his mind. Therefore, when his friend, Hamilton Cotton, approached him in 1925 with the proposition from the syndicate he headed that was purchasing what later became San Clemente, Ole Hanson knew this was the "dream site" for his Spanish Village by the Sea. He became the largest holder in the syndicate, then the owner of the 2,000 acres which he named ~San Clemente.

"I vision a place where people can live together more pleasantly than any other place in America.... the whole picture is very clear before me.... I can see hundreds of white-walled homes bonneted with red tile, with trees, shrubs, hedges of hibiscus, palms and geraniums lining the drives, and a profusion of flowers framing the patios and gardens... I want plazas, playgrounds, schools, clubs, swimming pools, a golf course, a fishing pier and a beach enlivened by people getting a healthy joy out of their life... I do not want people repulsed and sent away by ugliness in other communities... I have a clean canvas and I am determined to paint a clean picture."

- Ole Hanson, Founder of San Clemente

He wagered all of his financial resources on his dream city. He built a hospital, a community clubhouse, pier, a golf course, beach club with Olympic size pool, parks, tennis courts, a baseball diamond and stands as winter quarters for a Seattle ball team, bridle trails, a school, and a church. He built his own home, now called the Casa Romantica, and lived there with his family for approximately five years. When the City was incorporated in 1928, Ole Hanson was selected as the first mayor, but declined in favor of Thomas Murphine. Hanson remained as a city councilman.

He died at age 66. He left a great legacy - a still beautiful village by the sea. We enjoy to this day many of the things he put here for the citizens of San Clemente. Two of his children, Muriel, and Lloyd, are still living and remember how life was in early San Clemente.

Resource: San Clemente Historical Society

Related Links:

San Clemente Photo Tour - Feast your eyes on some of the most beautiful pictures of San Clemente.

San Clemente Videos - Check out the latest videos from professionals and locals.

Casa Romantica - Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, the historic Spanish Colonial Revival estate of San Clemente founder Ole Hanson, embodies the Romance and Reality of the Southern California experience. Its stunning setting is a place for people of all ages to explore and understand Southern California history, architecture, ecology and culture.