Part 6/12:
In California, Palm Beach’s Oceanfront mansions and San Francisco’s Cliff House epitomized Victorian grandeur. The Cliff House, rebuilt by Adolf Sutro as an ornate Victorian castle, served as a public resort, drawing families for excursions. The Villa Meisner in Palm Beach, designed by Addison Meisner, inspired by European palaces, featured a central tower, courtyards, and outdoor patios—becoming a social hub for the rich.
The Great Disappearances: Scandal, Fire, and Economic Collapse
Despite their splendor, many of these mansions faced untimely ends. Changing social norms, the Great Depression, World Wars, fires, and urban development all contributed to the decline.