Rare Peek Inside The Eerie Mansion That's Been Frozen In Time For 60 Years
For over six decades, 1407 East Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara, California, was a place only whispered about in passing. A sprawling seaside estate set high upon cliffside, its magnificence was matched only by its mystery. No one ever entered the grounds, and over those years, no one ever came out. Many have speculated about the true nature of the property — was it a home? An institution? Something far more sinister? But for the first time, the wrought-iron gates of the estate have finally been thrown open, exposing a tale of wealth, tragedy, and, in some small ways, hope.
What lies beyond
The front gate, however, tells a different story: one of seclusion. But as you continue along the asphalt-paved drive and into the heart of the compound, you'll soon come upon an incredible sight...
House fit for a billionaire
Bellosguardo. Named for the Italian-style villa that originally stood on the grounds, the property was purchased by Montana senator and copper magnate William A. Clark in 1923 for a cool $300,000 (equal to around $4 million today). Sadly, he wouldn't get to enjoy Bellosguardo for long.
Starting over
Senator Clark died in 1925, the same year the great Santa Barbara earthquake ravaged the area and damaged the home. Clark's widow, Anna, took it upon herself to rebuild, and in 1933 she completed the 22,000-square-foot French-style mansion that sits on the grounds today.
More than a mansion
Bellosguardo became a summer home for the Clarks, and during the Great Depression, it kept hundreds of housekeepers, gardeners, cooks, craftsman, and other service workers employed. The estate was a world in and of itself — unfortunately, this paradise wouldn't last.
