SAN CLEMENTE : Group Acts to Save Casa Romantica

As a child growing up in Los Angeles about 30 years ago, Dorothy Fuller admired Casa Romantica, home of the San Clemente city founder, from afar. Her sense of awe grew even greater after Ole Hanson lost the house in a bank foreclosure and Fuller’s family rented it during the summer months.

But that sense of marvel has since given way to fear as Fuller, now 66, watched two structures on either side of the 5,800 square-foot Casa Romantica crumble under a developer’s bulldozer.

To protect the 64-year-old structure, which is now owned by the city, Fuller and other members of the San Clemente Historical Society are petitioning the State Historical Resources Commission for a national designation.

“My dream is to see the Casa preserved if nothing else is in town,” said Fuller, who recalls fishing on the San Clemente Pier below the house with her five brothers and sisters.

Fuller, who is vice president of the historical society, shared her childhood experiences at the house with the commission Friday, when the nine-member board reviewed the historical society’s application. Fuller has recommended Casa Romantica for placement on the National Register to the State Office of Historic Preservation, said Cynthia Howse, a historian with the state agency.

If the commission recommends approval, the state office will then forward the application to a Washington-based national board, Howse said.

She said the process could take a year to complete. If approved, the building will become eligible for state and federal grants and is ensured of preservation under the federal listing program.

Despite city officials’ assurances that the Casa Romantica was not in danger of being torn down, the historical society moved ahead with its plans to protect it.

City manager Michael W. Parness said the listing will not jeopardize the city’s master plan.

Councilman Thomas Lorch said he also fears the worst for the building, which the city purchased for $2.5 million three years ago.

“I didn’t purchase it just to spend city money on it,” Lorch said. “I (want) to get this listing done and get grant money for refurbishment to make sure this property is preserved.”

The historical society wants to use part of the building as a museum to showcase artifacts from periods such as when former President Richard M. Nixon was a city resident. In addition, the house could serve as a cultural center, attracting tourists to the city, Fuller said.

Their plans would allow both the historical society and the current business at the Casa Romantica to coexist, Fuller said. Maureen Gates, owner of Events By Design, now leases the house from the city for $8,900 a month and hosts parties and corporate meetings.