The Villa Rockledge/Mission Inn Heritage.

"Villa Rockledge, originally known as Mariona, was built by Frank Miller, developer of the Mission Inn in Riverside and a leading figure in promoting Mission and Mediterranean influenced architecture in Southern California. Begun in 1918, the major portion of Villa Rockledge was designed by Architect Arthur Benton who worked closely with Miller on this building in much the same way as he had on the Mission Inn; a one unit addition on the northerly wing was designed by Laguna Beach architect Thomas Harper in 1929. Like the Mission Inn, Villa Rockledge incorporated Miller's keen interest in the art and architecture of the Mediterranean countries and personified Miller's fondness for melding various Spanish influenced elements in an eclectic and dynamic manner.

Frank Miller, as the developer of the Mission Inn, became a leading regional influence in establishing a new architectural identity for Southern California rooted in the architecture of the early missions and Spanish settlers. Miller brought the same architect, crews and artistic ideas that he had used on the Mission Inn in Riverside to Laguna Beach where he built his summer home in the then growing coastal resort and art colony. He spent the years from 1918 until his death in 1935 developing and evolving Villa Rockledge in much the same way that he had done with the Mission Inn." Excerpt from the U.S. Department of Interior, National Register of Historic Places, Inventory Nomination Form.

Speaking of Roger Jones’s book “The History of Villa Rockledge�, former Laguna Beach Mayor Neil Fitzpatrick said: “This book, like the preservation of Villa Rockledge itself, is truly a labor of love on the part of Roger Jones. He shares with us a glimpse of our history and the beauty of this special place. He challenges us to appreciate and protect our unique heritage.�

The following is from the book’s Preface by Thomas S. Jones, President, JMR Advertising, Rancho Palos Verdes, January 1987

"In a coign of a cliff
Between lowland and highland
At the sea down's edge between windward and lee..."
There stands a place called Villa Rockledge
And this is its fabulous history.

Rarely do events of history so conspire to create a private place, privately owned, with a record that traces the life and times of a public place known and revered by countless thousands. Such a place is Villa Rockledge of Laguna Beach, California.  The dream of a far-sighted builder, Frank Miller, and a gifted architect, Arthur Benton, Villa Rockledge is the sea-side cousin of that world- famous edifice - The Mission Inn of Riverside, California.

It was the same team of builder and artist responsible for the Mission Inn who conceived the magnificent private estate by the sea that was started in 1918 and completed in 1921 as a tribute to Miller's second wife, Marion. It was known then as "Mariona." Today, known as Villa Rockledge, this fabulous edifice mirrors the history of Laguna Beach.

It was there that such Hollywood luminaries as Clifton Webb, Robert Mitchum, Errol Flynn, and Bette Davis cavorted on the Villa Rockledge beach.

Down through the years six different owners have possessed the property, and each has contributed uniquely to its structure and to its personna.

The current owner, Roger Jones, purchased the estate in February 1973 as a 33 year old bachelor, after living there in a rented apartment as a tenant for the previous five years.

After the property suffered a disastrous accident in June 1973 when a loaded cement truck severely damaged it, Mr. Jones completely restored the damaged property and made vast improvements to the grounds. The restoration was celebrated with a huge private party in September 1975 which I attended along with many leaders of some of the nation's largest corporations and the national press. I can only say that never have I seen such unanimous agreement that Villa Rockledge is truly one of the great treasures of California.

More recently the representatives of the National Park Services, who investigated the estate for inclusion in the National Registry of Historic Places, described Villa Rockledge as "a two story complex of Mediterranean influences, with rustic stone towers, large open porches on the ocean side, ornamental chimneys, and casement windows." They further stated: “The interior of Rockledge nearly defied verbal description...Miller's imagination produced an array of tasteful splendor."

To that I can only add my agreement and recommend to those who seek a taste of the beauty of early California - read on about this fabulous place – and maybe one day it will be your good fortune, as it has been mine, to stand at one of its many windows at twilight and watch the sunset from Villa Rockledge by the sea.�