Tinkerbell's Travels

April 8, 2023

One of the many reasons we love Coronado Island is no two houses are the same. In fact, the architecture throughout the entire village reflects an ocean breeze-like, refreshingly free spirit.

On the same street, you can find older, traditional-style homes…

Next to a more modern home…

And then a Tuscan/Mediterranean-style abode…

And then a seaside-cottage…

Topped off with a Storybook house.

It‘s funny, when you are in front of a Storybook house (and yes, that is what the architectural style is called), most visitors, regardless of where they’re from exclaim, “Look! A Storybook House!”

I didn’t know that Storybook Houses are an actual architectural style. They’re sometimes called “Hansel & Gretel” or “Gingerbread” houses because they are built to resemble a home from a fairytale.

Storybook Houses had their heyday in the 1920’s and were mostly built in Los Angeles for people in the motion picture industry. I guess that explains why so many were built on Coronado Island, which was a playground and party haven for Hollywood’s elite.

Speaking of which, Coronado’s Hansen Home was the premiere party pad for movie stars back in the 1930s.

When we rode our bikes by it, we were struck with its size and intricate workmanship.

The 14,000 square foot, Tudor mansion was built for an oil executive in 1898. It was a Hollywood party palace in the 1930’s and was eventually sold at auction in 1950 to the Hansen family who resided there for 66 years. Until its recent sale, it was the proud site of the annual Coronado Main Street Garden Party.

While we were admiring the imposing structure and sadly noting how the house was falling into disrepair, a neighbor approached us and shook his head in exasperated disapproval. He told us to, “Just look it up. The Hansen House.”

A cloud of resigned disappointment seemed to envelope him as he walked away.

So, I looked it up.

The Hansen House was designated in 1977 as a Coronado Historical Landmark and was sold to a private, anonymous buyer in 2017.

The anonymous buyer immediately leased the property to a charitable organization for homeless women who are victims of domestic violence.

From what I was able to glean from past writings about the subject, there was a bit of consternation from the neighbors about the possibility of domestic abusers coming to the neighborhood in search of their victims.

Apparently, that concern hasn’t yet materialized. I’m sure the neighbors, whose homes are exceptionally well-maintained, are probably more unhappy right now with the current sad state of neglect of the once-magnificent mansion than they are with the possibility of violent visitors.

I‘m just speculating of course…

Because that’s what we do – speculate and imagine – as we ride our bicycles around the island and admire the houses.

We imagine who lives in the house…

And what they like to eat.

And sometimes we imagine where they go on vacation when they live in a house where most people go to vacation.

Maybe they go to Tucson.

Or Fairmont, Minnesnowta.

And then, while we were thinking about Coronado Island dwellers and their vacations, we cycled up to an under-construction house that caught our attention.

Not only was it impressive in its angles and overhangs, which nodded to Frank Lloyd Wright…

Butt, what impressed us beyond the mid-century style and the floor-to-ceiling windows that will capture the captivating Bay views, was the motorcycle rider on top of the roof.

The question is, “Will he remain up there after the house is completed?” Let’s hope so, although I didn’t see him in the rendering…

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