Robert's Ranch House
Location: Solstice Canyon, Malibu, CA
By Ingrid Dietrich
"Still standing." A strong brick-built chimney on the corner, solid rock stairs and foundations, old rusted stoves, reinforced concrete walls, and windows with a view to the ruins. A melancholic walk through what once was called a home.
________________________________________________________________
Since 1988 Roberts Ranch house has been an attraction to local hikers, photographers, architecture lovers, historians, etc. The ruins are surrounded by native plants, wildlife, natural creeks, waterfalls, and majestic mountains that retain warm breeze from the Pacific.
"The Dreamer"
Fred Roberts, a man with vision and determination . Native of Missouri and owner of "Roberts Public Market," a successful market in Santa Monica, that later on would become a chain of groceries and liquor stores. The stores provided enough money to support his dream of owning a ranch. The land he purchased was composed by several properties, adding up to 1000 acres. The land was purchased by Robert and his wife Florence in 1931, but it was not until 1952 when he finished his beloved project.
"The Architect"
Paul Williams, a remarkable African-American architect was the master mind behind it. Born in 1894, and orphaned at the age of four, he spent most of his childhood at foster homes. William's foster mother encouraged him to pursue his growing interest in architecture. Discriminated because of his race and color he decided to prove he was capable and equal. He became later one of the most remarkable architects of his times.
He attended USC in 1917, and he graduated in 1921 becoming later the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects in 1923.
The ranch was built to last. Some of the amazing characteristics of the house were: stone foundations and stairs, brick and concrete walls, several chimneys, a self sustainable creek that surrounded the premises, pools powered by pumps providing protection against fires, and a layered foundation to accommodate the constant flow of water from the natural springs that saturated the ground.
Fear was one of the characteristics that influenced the 1950s architecture. The house was equipped with a fallout shelter (bomb shelter) that provided security and a little piece of mind to the family during the second world war. The area was considered a key target, given that a missile base that kept watch of The Pacific was located not to far away from the property.
The house was destroyed in 1982 by the Dayton Canyon fire after Robert's death. In 1988 the property became part of the Santa Monica National Recreation Area and now is protected and maintained by the "National Park Service".
