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The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa facts for kids
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Mission Inn
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Mission Inn, Riverside, California
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, California |
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| Built | 1902–1932 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| Restored | 1985–1992 |
| Restored by | Duane & Kelly Roberts |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000173 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 14, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | May 5, 1977 |
The Mission Inn, also known as The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, is a famous historic hotel in Riverside, California. It is considered the largest building in the Mission Revival Style in the United States. This style mixes different types of architecture. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is part of Historic Hotels of America, which is a special program that helps protect historic places.
The current owners are Duane and Kelly Roberts. Kelly Roberts helps manage the hotel as its chief operating officer.
Contents
The Story of the Mission Inn
How the Inn Began
The Mission Inn started as a small boarding house called The Glenwood Cottage. It was built by Christopher Columbus Miller. On November 22, 1876, the Millers welcomed their first paying guest.
In February 1880, Miller's son, Frank Augustus Miller, bought the hotel and land from his father. In the early 1900s, California's citrus fruit business was booming. This brought many rich travelers and investors from other places. The hotel grew into a full-service place. In 1902, Frank changed the name to the "Glenwood Mission Inn." He then began building more parts of the hotel. He continued adding to it until he passed away in 1935.
A Mix of Styles and Treasures
Frank Miller wanted the hotel to look unique. He used ideas from many different old building styles. These included Spanish Gothic architecture, Mission Revival, Moorish Revival architecture, and Spanish Colonial style. He also used Renaissance Revival architecture and Mediterranean Revival Style architecture. The hotel became a complex building with many additions. It has narrow paths, outdoor walkways, and a medieval-style clock. You can also find a five-story rotunda, many courtyards, castle towers, and domes. There's even a special wing with catacombs and a sky bridge.
While building the hotel over 30 years, Miller traveled the world. He collected many special items to bring back and display at the inn.
Special Features and Famous Walls
The St. Francis Chapel inside the inn has four large, beautiful stained-glass windows. It also has two original mosaics made by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1906. These windows were saved from a church in New York City. The chapel was built especially to hold them. The "Rayas Altar" is another amazing piece. It is 25 feet tall and 16 feet wide. It is carved from cedar wood and covered completely in gold.
Frank Miller also created the "Garden of Bells." He collected over 800 bells for it. One bell is from the year 1247. It is known as the "oldest bell in Christendom."
In 1932, Frank Miller opened the St. Francis Atrio. The "Famous Fliers' Wall" was added by Miller's son-in-law, DeWitt Hutchings. This wall honors famous pilots. Eddie Rickenbacker, a World War I pilot, was honored there in 1942. Today, 151 pilots or groups of pilots have their names etched onto copper wings on the wall.
Changes Over Time
Frank Miller died in 1935. His daughter, Allis, and her husband, DeWitt Hutchings, managed the inn. After they passed away in 1956, the inn had several different owners. Some older rooms were even turned into apartments or dorms for college students.
In 1992, Duane Roberts bought The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. He saved it from being torn down. He brought back its beautiful Spanish Mission style. He also added modern comforts like a spa, new restaurants, and shops. His wife, Kelly Roberts, helps manage the hotel. They also host popular yearly events like the Festival of Lights.
Building Design of the Mission Inn
The Mission Inn was designed by many different architects. This is why it has so many varied styles. Frank Miller chose Arthur Burnett Benton to design the first main building. Later, Miller picked Myron Hunt to design the Spanish Wing. This wing was added to the back of the main building. He then hired G. Stanley Wilson to design the St. Francis Chapel. Wilson also added a round rotunda with spiral staircases and a dome.
Famous Visitors to the Inn
For over 140 years, the Mission Inn has been a central part of Riverside. Many important people have visited or stayed there.
Presidents and Political Leaders
Several U.S. Presidents have visited the Mission Inn. Pat and Richard Nixon were married there. Nancy and Ronald Reagan spent their honeymoon at the inn. Eight other presidents have also visited: Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Gerald Ford, and George W. Bush.
Other important social leaders who have stopped at the Mission Inn include Susan B. Anthony, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein, and Helen Keller.
Entertainers and Celebrities
Many famous entertainers have also visited the inn. Early guests included Lillian Russell and Harry Houdini. Later, actors like Ethel Barrymore, Mary Pickford, Ginger Rogers, and Bette Davis stayed there. Bette Davis even got married at the inn in 1945. Other famous guests include Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Barbra Streisand, and Drew Barrymore. Musicians like Jack Benny, Bob Hope, and Glen Campbell have also visited.
Even today, the inn is a popular place for famous people. Arnold Schwarzenegger has stayed there, and the Osbournes have visited.
The Mission Inn Today
The hotel takes up an entire city block. It has 4 restaurants, a spa, and 239 guest rooms. Nine of these rooms are special presidential suites. The Mission Inn is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. It is also a California Historical Landmark and Riverside City Landmark #1. Its beautiful look makes it a favorite subject for local artists.
Dining Options
The hotel offers four different restaurants and two lounges where guests can eat and relax.
Mission Inn Museum
The Mission Inn Museum helps share the history of the Mission Inn. It is run by the Mission Inn Foundation, which is a non-profit group. The museum has a permanent exhibit about the inn's history. It also shows the history of Southern California's inland areas. The main gallery changes its exhibits two or three times a year.
The museum offers educational programs and guided tours every day. These tours are very popular, with over 20,000 guests each year. They also have special tours about the women of the Mission Inn, its art collection, and its architecture. The "Hands On History Outreach Program" helps middle school students learn about local history. They do this through interviews, photography, and public speaking. The "Youth Ambassadors" program teaches leadership and confidence to high school students aged 15–18.