You’re probably famiiar with the fabulous Gamble House in Pasadena, California. This post has nothing to do with that. As Darth Vader would say, “there is another….”
An hour’s drive south of the world-famous Gamble House there is another Gamble House, in Fullerton.
These days Fullerton is known as a college town, a neighbor of Anaheim (Disneyland) and a not too short commute from Los Angeles. But in in 1940s-1960s, Fullerton ran on oil, oranges and aerospace. It’s also where a radio & TV repairman, Leo Fender, started mass producing solid body electric guitars for the local country players. Then came rock and roll which Leo didn’t care for, but it made him a millionaire.
In 1940, Ethel and Robert Gamble built a streamline moderne mansion in Fullerton at the top of Raymond Hill. At the time there was nothing else there and the house was known to locals as The Castle. As a boy in the 1960s, John Beck rode his bike past the place, determined that someday it would be his.
Eventually the house came up for sale but in serious disrepair. Some of the futuristic materials were less durable than promised. Even so, the house was an incredible piece of property and history. John managed to buy it by taking on roomates.
In time, John became the sole owner but there was still much work to do. I first stopped by in 2014 and John’s wife asked that I not take photos inside because the place just wasn’t ready. When the house was restored, John would drop me a note. Years passed, then last year I got an email saying “it’s ready!” There are still a few areas being undergoing restoration but the house in it’s current state is just fastastic.
2014
2023
Custom hardware, everywhere.
Not a square corner anyhere. All the plaster is (now) flawless.
This dining nook is strictly original but the kitchen is up to date. John cleverly repeated the portjole motif. There’s also a larger full size dining room but it’s not as curvy as this little kitchrn spot.
Of course there’s a pool.
Many thanks to John and his wonderful family for letting me visit. By the way…if you’re making a movie and you need a streamline moderne house that hasn’t been in 50 other films already, John will consider renting the place out for movies and TV.