O.K......O.K.......HERE'S THE ANSWER ................................

We are currently in Oregon visiting a friend...and I finally am able to take a little break and give a little update.  


Beautiful Julie Marie of Idyllhours did, in fact, guess correctly.  It is the Hearst Castle located in breath taking San Simeon. Here are a few more shots around the estate

"Casa Grande" , as the castle was called, was built between the years 1919 to l947 by William Randolph Hearst in collaboration with the female architect Julia Morgan.  It was surrounded by 127 acres of gardens and several guest houses.  On the estate were zoo's housing exotic animals, such as zebra's and white polar bears.

It has an outdoor olympic size pool, built in the Greek style.  Hearst was an big believer in swimming for exercise, There also is an indoor pool built in a pavilion. The tiles are inlaid with gold flecks throughout.

"Casa Grande", The Big House, has 56 bedrooms and 61 bathrooms.  It was constructed of reinforced concrete, to withstand earthquakes. The sophistication of construction here does bogle my mind. Remember.....this was in the early 1900's.


Hearst was an avid collector of European artifacts throughout his life and they are all proudly displayed in his castle.

This love of Europe was instilled in him as a child when he traveled through Europe for a year and a half with his mother.

Here is the formal dining room where Hearst had all his famous dinners.  You would have cocktails in the Salon beginning at 7 o'clock sharp.  Hearst did not like late arrivers.  
You were allowed one cocktail, maybe two.  Hearst did not like drunks.  Then at 9 o'clock you would retire to the dining room above for the formal dinner.  The term "formal" made me chuckle as you can see from the ketchup and mustard jars on the table.  Hearst did not like "sauces".  He always sat his most important guest right beside him, that way he could pump them for information and going's on in Hollywood.  His guest list included Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Hedda Hopper just to name a few.   The next time you were invited....you were moved down a chair because you had served your purpose.


Here are a few more shots around the main floor of the castle.  It is a little over the top for today's standards....but at the time was truly a marvel.

Anything that could be embellished.....was, with antique ceilings from churches and castles throughout Europe.


Sadly, Hearst died in 1951, before his beautiful vision could be completed.  At the time of his death, he was in serious financial difficulty, so the construction on the "Casa Grande" came to a halt.


Hopefully you have enjoyed this little piece of History today.  It is a marvelous place to see and a must if you are ever in Southern California in the San Simeon area.


Back again soon......hugs to all.


Jo