California Missions Inspire Mission Inn Architecture

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Santa Barbara Mission
California Missions Inspire Mission Inn
Architecture
Mission Inn
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The architecture of the Mission Inn was
influenced by many other cultures, from other
parts of the world, and other times in history
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What is architecture?
The art and science of designing and constructing
buildings.
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Architects build models to help visualize what a
building is going to look like when completed.
In 1928-1930, architect G. Stanley Wilson
prepared for construction of the last wing of the
hotel by making a wood and metal model of the
rotunda.
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The beautiful architecture of the Mission Inn has
inspired many three-dimensional models to be made
for artistic reasons as well as by those who
study the unique and various building
characteristics. In 1983, 13 college students
from Cal Poly Pomona compiled a 90 page book
study of the Mission Inn, including detailed
drawings, structural and mechanical systems,
circulation, security, fire and other life safety
issues, and they built a 1/8 scale model using
paper and cardboard.
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Many different materials are used for building
models. In 2004, a model was made using Legos
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Fascination with the architecture of the Mission
Inn has even inspired sand castle models, such as
this one built to scale in 1994 at the Galleria
at Tyler. It weighed 50 tons!
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Architects not only create new buildings, but
they help restore them as they age. The Mission
Inn has been recognized as a National Historic
Landmark, California State Historic Landmark, and
a City of Riverside Cultural Landmark. It is
important therefore, to preserve this magnificant
and unique blend of architectural styles. In
1985, the hotel was closed for major renovation
and preservation.
What is renovation?
To remodel or repair to its former good
condition.
What is preservation?
To keep in perfect or unaltered condition.
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The entire hotel was covered with multicolored
tarps in order to fumigate for termites and other
insects. The arches along the Mission Inn Avenue
were demolished and replaced with exact replicas.
Access for those with disabilities had to be
provided and the Mission Inn had to be refitted
for earthquake safety.
Scaffolding covered the east side of the Mission
Inn.
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Fumigation tents cover Mission Inn in 1987
Damaged window casings had to be repaired
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The roof had to be replaced and steel installed
for further strength and safety
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Frank Miller, original builder and owner of the
Mission Inn, originally moved here from Wisconsin
in 1874 when he was 17 years old. He and his
mother and sisters joined his father, who had
already built a 12 room cottage of adobe and
bricks and wood, located on what is now the
Mission Inn. Their family took in boarders and
additions were made to the house. Frank bought
the house from his father, added more additions
and the house became known as the Glenwood
Tavern.
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Frank Miller was determined to build a new hotel
on the site of the familys old home. He was not
yet 30 years old, but the growing economy in
Riverside convinced him that he would be
successful. Originally his idea was to build a
hotel like the Colorado Hotel in Glenwood
Springs, but eventually, he was more impressed
and inspired by the California Mission
architecture.
Drawing of Glenwood Hotel, 1883
Proposed New Glenwood Hotel
Colorado Hotel, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
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Just as Frank Miller was inspired by and used
many different styles in his hotel, he also
worked with several important architects to
create the beautiful Mission Inn. G. Stanley
Wilson was from Riverside and he created the
Rotunda, the St. Francis Chapel and Atrio, the
Galeria, Authors Row and the chime tower. He
began working on the Mission Inn in 1909. Mr.
Wilson and his architectural firm was also
responsible for the Riverside Municipal
Auditorium, built as a memorial to the World War
I veterans, plm Elementary School, the Weber
House, and the Arlington Branch Library.
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Besides models, architects also use drawings when
planning a building. This one was created by G.
Stanley Wilsons firm for the Mission Inn.
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William Alexander Sharp drawing of the Mission
Inn for architect Arthur B. Benton
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Colored postcard of the St. Francis Atrio looking
at the west side of Authors Row.
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Arthur Burnett Benton was another influential
architect who worked with Frank Miller. Mr.
Benton designed the Missioin Wing and the
Cloister Wing. He was also responsible for the
arches along Mission Inn Avenue, built in 1908,
and the employees dormitory. Mr. Bensons use
of California Mission style in his work is the
reason why so many people believe that the
Mission Inn was once part of the chair of
California Missions. In addition to his work on
the Mission Inn, Mr. Benton also participated in
the design and building of the First Church of
Christ, Scientist, the bandstand at Fairmont
Park, the Riverside Municipal Museum (working
with Mr. Wilson), the Hole mansion and the Peace
Tower on Mt. Tubidoux, built in honor of Frank
Miller.
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Leather-covered book with a Mission Inn emblem on
the cover containing 29 pages with a poem written
by architect Arthur B. Benton and artwork by
William Alexander Sharp.
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Frank Miller and architect Arthur B. Benton along
with others at the dedication of the Peace Tower
on Mt. Rubidoux in December 1925.
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A third architect working with Frank Miller was
Myron Hunt, from Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. Mr. Hunt had worked in Boston and
Chicago where he worked with several influential
architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr.
Hunt moved to Southern California in 1903, where
he would eventually helped to build the
California Institute of Technology in Pomona,
Occidental College, the Rose Bowl, Pasadena City
Library, the Ambassador Hotel, and the Henry E.
Huntington Beaux arts mansion. In 1910, Hunt
won first prize to design Riversides First
Congregational Church, where Frank Miller taught
Sunday school classes. Mr. Hunt designed the
church tower in a Spanish baroque style called
Churrigueresque. Mr. Hunt was hired by Mr.
Miller to design the Spanish Wing of the Mission
Inn, which resembled many of the grand galleries
of Europe. Mr. Hunt went to also build permanent
structures at March Air Force Base.
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Framed pencil or charcoal drawing of the
temporary cloth ceiling of the Spanish Art
Gallery. Originally Mr. Hunt designed an
elaborate wooden ceiling but Mr. Miller objected
to the cost, so a gold cloth ceiling was
substituted.
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Spanish Art Gallery
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Many cultures and time periods influenced the
architecture of the Mission Inn. After reading
the California Mission Architecture Background
Information Sheet and using your primary source
worksheet, identify influences from mission
architecture from each of the following slides
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The Rotunda of the Mission Inn
In 1931, the final phase of the Mission Inn was
complete which included the Rotunda
Internacional. This rotunda included a variety
of architectural forms including arcades,
buttresses, flying buttresses, balconies,
turrets, domes, and pinnacles. It is six stories
high, 33 feet side and open to the sky. A
wrought iron spiral staicase was designed with
the Mission Inn Raincross and various
monograms. Imbeded in the concrete are tile
shields representing various countries and at one
time statues of saints were placed in niches
built into the walls. An optical illusion is
created, as the circumference at the top of the
Rotunda appears larger than the bottom.
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Historic postcard of the Rotunda
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Arches along Mission Inn Avenue
Arches along Mission Inn Avenue
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Court of the Orient
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Alhambra Courtyard
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Galeria
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What elements of California Mission architecture
are evident in the Mission Inn?