Vintage Mission Inn, Pt. 2

Moving ahead five years, I present a batch of images from 1956 of the Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside, California. This waterfall is still at the Inn, located at the entrance to the Las Campanas restaurant:

I can't really give high marks to the 1956 photographer; this image appears to show a glimpse of the hotel’s pool:

Shot from the Spanish Patio, this image shows Author’s Row:

A few different paint colors, but still about the same:

A vintage view of the Spanish Patio fountain…

and a contemporary detail shot of the same area:

The Anton Clock in the Spanish Patio:

Still ticking away!

Vines create a canopy over the wooden archways near the entrance:

Although my shot is facing the wrong way, I believe this is the same pathway as it looks today:

See more vintage and contemporary Mission Inn photos at my main website.

Vintage Mission Inn, Pt. 1

A few shots from 1951 showcasing one of my favorite historic (and extremely ecclectic) hotels, the Mission Inn located in Riverside, California. On a hot summer day like today, that pool sure looks good!

A vintage exterior shot; love that classic car. I know a few of my readers can ID it!

The entrance:

A blue classic convertible?!? Only thing missing for me is a rumble seat!

The entrance courtyard:

The same bell can still be found there:

See more vintage and contemporary Mission Inn photos at my main website.

Back to the Mission Inn

Less than two hours away, the Mission Inn in Riverside is one of my favorite historic hotels to visit. It had been about two years since my last visit, so I was definitely due. Each room is unique, full of interesting architectural details. This time I got to photograph Room 413. Come on in!



Hard to look at this picture as temperatures begin to climb this summer. No fire in the fireplace today! But it still looks neat.



This place was never an actual Mission; it just played one on TV. Sorry...bad pop culture reference. But seriously...it was never a Mission. It just kind of looks like one and has little details that would make you think it might have been one at one time.



Nice big comfortable bed:



How about that vaulted ceiling? No claustrophobia here.



I don't think the bathroom tile is vintage, but it’s still really cool (and appropriate design wise).



Even the hardware is unique! NOBODY is getting in this place when the lock is being used!



The daytime can be fairly crazy on the property, with a plethora of events and weddings going on. I love to explore at night when things are a bit quieter. This trip I was able to access the Ho-O-Kan Room, which I hadn't been to in seven years:



What a light fixture! Digging the green pendants.



No trip to the Inn is complete without a visit to the International Rotunda:



or the Spanish Gallery:



As with any place, lighting is key when it comes to presentation. The Mission Inn truly looks magical after sunset:



See more Mission Inn photos at my main website.

Back to Mt. Rubidoux

Just west of Riverside lies the majestic Mount Rubidoux, where you can get some of the best views of the area below. While the elevation of over 1300 feet might be a challenge for some, it is definitely worth the hike.



There are a number of cool bridges, towers, and hiking paths that date back to the 1920s and 1930s.



Using my wide angle lens and hanging off one of the bridges, I was able to get this shot:



Sam, the guy I was shooting, was a bit more adventurous than I was!



This rock formation looked like a giant dinosaur had put its footprint in it.



Sam was channeling his inner spiderman here:



At the top, one side is graced with an American flag, and the other with this cross.



Yes, I made it to the top!



Here’s a vintage shot of Mt. Rubidoux from the 1920s:



See more Mt. Rubidoux photos at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: Riverside & Mt. Rubidoux

Welcome to Riverside, California! Previous to my most recent visit, my opinion of Riverside (other than The Mission Inn) wasn't too swift. However, that quickly changed with a few excursions that yielded a number of surprises.



I had seen this cool clock before, but hadn't shot it at night:



I am guessing that this building was once a theater:



Interesting statuary:





The Courthouse is a beautiful piece of classical architecture:



Looks like the wheels of justice are spinning in Riverside:



This quaint little park blew me away; don't know how I missed it on my previous visits:









The Fox Theater in Riverside is still vibrant:







The hiking trails of Mt. Rubidoux were the most pleasant surprise of all.









Not only was the hike fun, but the views were sensational:



















I won't wait another 5 years to return to Riverside, that's for sure!

See more vintage & current Riverside, CA photos on my Riverside web page.