Explore the hidden charms of Redlands’ Kimberly Crest House and Gardens

If the thought of a Gilded Age mansion sitting atop a hill and surrounded by gardens appeals to you, then consider visiting Kimberly Crest House and Gardens, which does just that in Redlands.

Much like Pasadena and some other Southern California communities, Redlands appealed to wealthy snowbirds who wanted to escape the bitterly cold winters in the east. With its warm, sunny and dry climate and beautiful mountain views, the growing citrus town of Redlands became increasingly popular after the railroad reached it in 1888. Big Bear Lake was originally built in 1884 as a reservoir to provide water to thirsty citrus farms in and around Redlands.

Kimberly Crest is considered the legacy of three strong women, starting with Mrs. Kimberly A. Hill of New York, whose four daughters had all died of tuberculosis in the days before there was a cure. She and her husband then came to California for its warm climate. The 7,000-square-foot, French Chateau-style house with its hilltop view was built in 1897 in an astonishing seven months.

After her husband died, the wealthy widow sold the house and moved to smaller digs. It was purchased in 1906 by the Kimberly family from Wisconsin, famous even today as patriarch John Alfred Kimberly founded the Kimberly-Clark paper company that invented Kleenex tissues.

The Kimberlys packed the home with seven children. Their mother, Helen Cheney Kimberly, decorated the house and oversaw landscaping an Italian Renaissance garden with a pergola and koi pond that people still enjoy today. Among the decorations, an expert from the Tiffany Company came out to advise Mrs. Kimberly on illuminating the house when electric lighting became available.

The youngest daughter, Mary Kimberly-Shirk, married and moved to Indiana, but returned home to care for her aging parents after her husband died in World War I. She ultimately inherited the property and was instrumental in encouraging the community to purchase the neighboring estate, which became Prospect Park, before it was sold to a developer. After her death, she donated her house and all its contents to the people of Redlands. Today, Kimberly Crest is run as a private nonprofit museum, surviving on an endowment, donations and fees for tours, photo shoots, weddings and events.

The house has receiving and public rooms on the ground floor, four main bedrooms and two baths on the second floor, plus additional bedrooms and now offices on the third floor, as well as a carriage house out back. Damask wall coverings, stone fireplaces and heavy, dark furniture show off the family’s wealth. One unique characteristic of the museum today is that all the furnishings, clothing and other items are original to the house and were used by the families who lived there.

The dining room table can seat 14 and was often used for special dinners using Limoges porcelain. One possibly apocryphal story, according to executive director Anita West, is about a Thanksgiving dinner held there, when the lady of the house stood up to carve the turkey, which slid off the tray and onto the floor. Calmly, she rang for the maid and told her to take that bird away and bring out “the other turkey.” No one ever knew whether there really was another turkey, or the original bird was just wiped down and returned.

West said the property currently hosts around 30 weddings per year and is popular for events, photo shoots and quinceañeras.

The public is welcome to come and stroll the grounds, enjoy the views, and relax without charge. No picnics are allowed, though. At present, tours of the house require reservations and a $15 fee – unless you’re a 4th grader in Redlands, in which case you’ll visit with your class.

Learn more: kimberlycrest.org 1325 Prospect Drive, Redlands. 909-792-2111

More Hidden Southern California:

• Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Glendale
• Tour a Victorian lighthouse in San Pedro