Frank A. Forster House (San Juan Capistrano, California)

 house, interesting place, historic landmark

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27182 Ortega Hwy.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Frank Ambrosio Forster-heir of Don Juan Forster-built the Forster Mansion in 1910.

Train & Williams, a prominent Los Angeles architectural firm, designed the house to exude classic Mission Revival style, including thick stucco walls, graceful arches flanking the exterior walkways, and a Spanish tile roof. he home's first floor is solid reinforced concrete over a full basement. The second floor is wood framed with plaster.

By the Fall of 1983, it was considered nothing more than a "tear down." Martha Gresham-ASID, purchased and restored the Mansion to the original design. In 1990, Phillip Charis, photographer, purchased the Mansion for gallery/studio use. Prior to any renovation, the Charis's decided against the further destruction of any historical details, and instead built their business next door.

For years the social hub of the Capistrano Valley, the home remains steeped in local history that includes a resident cigar-smoking ghost. Ms. Gresham said she had seen the ghost quite often and gave him the name of George. He was described as being short, stubby, had a mustache, and wore khaki clothing. He was always happy and friendly but smelled of cigars which she abhorred. She believed that he may have been one of the original builders. In an interesting quirk of history, contractors found a petrified cigar stub behind a plaster wall during the mid 1980's restoration work.

The Forster Mansion is now for sale for the asking price of $2,999,000. This +/- 600 sq. ft. home, built in 1910 and lovingly restored to its turn-of-the-century grandeur is listed on the US National Register of Historic Properties.
(see: www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=2146913260 )

www.sjchistoricalsociety.com/Forster.html
Circa 1920: www.sjchistoricalsociety.com/newimages/ForsterMansion.j...