The historic Mission Inn which occupies several blocks in downtown Riverside California is the largest Mission Revival building in the United States.
The Inn was built in 1902 by an engineer named Christopher Columbus Miller. His son Frank expanded his father’s original efforts, and added wings, rotundas, chapels, museums and galleries.
The building contains a mixture of Spanish Gothic, Moorish and Mediterranean revival architectural styles. There is a Spanish Wing, an Alhambra Wing, and flights of fancy everywhere you look.
Frank Miller traveled the world collecting museum quality treasures to fill the inn, including what some say is the oldest bell in in the new world dating from 1247.
There are two chapels on the property including the one pictured dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.
Louis Tiffany designed two of the mosaics in the chapel.
The Rotunda Wing features a five story open air staircase.
The rotunda tops a suite dedicated to the writer Anne Rice.
Presidents, world leaders, and many famous folk have stayed in the inn over its history and the inn has a presidential lounge dedicated to the many presidents who have stayed here.
The Inn began a period of slow decline in the 1960’s where ownership changed hands multiple times and bankruptcies occurred, eventually forcing the city of Riverside to purchase and close the property for eight and a half years. In 1992, The Historic Mission Inn Corporation purchased the property and reopened it in all its former glory.
I will show you more details and the interiors of this amazing building in my next post. Until then, cheers to you from The Mission Inn in Riverside California~
What a magnificent building and you have captured it in all its glory. Thank goodness it was rescued from ruin and reopened.
I am so happy to hear from you Pauline! It is quite the architectual curiousity shop and I love it.
I feel jinxed to say that we may be heading to Oz soon, last time I told you, we couldn’t go.We won’t be in the Gold Coast, all in NSW. I’ll let you know when we go.
Hope you are Jack are happy.
Love to you both.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you make it this time.maybe we can meet up if you are any where near NSW border. And we always have a bed you can use….
How lovely! I will keep in touch…. <3
🤗
What a beautiful building. Fortunately, it didn’t succumb to urban renewal during the 1960’s and 1970’s that demolished many fine historic buildings in downtown Albuquerque and other cities around the country.
It was so disgusting that happened. And more modern architects led the way towards destruction of their more truly artistic predecessors.
Pingback: Mission Inn~ — – Br Andrew's Muses
Wow…what more can I say Cindy. It is a beautiful place, very pleasing to the eye 😀
It is quite an amazing place. You can stay in the old rooms and hear the old clock chime. It makes you feel, while you are here, that life seem safe somehow.
I’m intrigued Cindy, in the last picture (and in a couple of others) there is at the top, left of the picture what appears to be a ‘chimney’ or for want of a better word, a ‘tower’ with its own miniature roof and slots, up on the roof. If it is in fact a chimney the architecture for something so ‘out of sight’ so to speak is really telling the story of the love that this architecture brings to even the smallest of details 😀
I know the tower you speak of and there is something in it, although I don’t know what. They are towers, cupola’s, domes, this place is an architectural wonderland. There are even catacombs. Everywhere you look is this incredible attention to the smallest details. Many of the doors to the rooms are handcarved and had inset stained glass.
Absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing dear lady, it was a wonderland 😀
Yes, I felt like Alice staying here!
You’ve finally traveled to someplace I’ve been! 😄
Your beautiful photos bring back great memories of times spent there with my late husband when our children were small. Thank you! ❤
I am so glad you have visited here but I am very sorry about the loss of your husband. I am glad you visited here with him and you have these memories. I have no idea why I have never been here before. It was just never on my radar.
Such interesting history, Cindy! Gorgeous images!
Thank you and be well Terri <3
Thank you Terri & cheers my friend <3
How gorgeous! I’m so glad to see that it wound up in the right hands. I can’t wait to see more!😍
It is really an incredible place. It has so many wings and nooks and crannies and road overpassing walking bridges, that all I can say is, I need to spend more nights here!
This is a real treasure.
Cheers back, and I look forward to the details! This is Fabulous.
Why don’t you come down here Resa? I’ll book us rooms. Bring your sketchbook. We can stay two nights, tour the whole place, and the museum. You can see the Anne Rice suite where she stayed. And the restaurants rock.
….. eventually…. xo
🙂
What stunning architecture! I never knew it was there on all my trips through that area. Of course, it’s not somewhere I would frequent but I love all the detail. I hope you are weathering the firestorms out that way and out of harm’s way.
Riverside is a place I never visited, I say with embarassment since I have lived in the region all my life, now that I am here in the place, I was clearly wrong. I should have visited here before. You should see their antique street clocks. I am going to come back.
And thank you, said it right Marlene. Firestorms. This is what they are. Hurricane winds carrying fire with their furious winds. They are scary. The winds carry sparks for miles, and since everything is dry it is forced to ignite.
Mother Nature is speaking as loudly as possible but no one is listening. I’ll keep good thoughts for you.
I can understand that a complex building such as this would require considerable upkeep to maintain its full glory. It looks an interesting place to visit.
It boggles the mind that this engineer, en famille, had the finanicial, and artistic resources, to build, and create, something like this.
I’ve never visited the Inn, but have wanted to for a while… after all, it’s just up the road a ways. Beautiful pictures… perhaps this is just the push I needed.
Just like you, I never went, and now that I have been here, I will come again. There is still so much more to see. It amazes me.
I am glad that a building of such historic significance has been rescued. Looking forward to your next post, Cindy.
I share your appreciation for protecting such beautiful architecture from the past Peter, thank you!
Wow. Just wow. So much eye-catching detail. Amazing.
Hope that Jurupa fire, the 46 Fire?, is not too close.
I am just chagrined I had never heard of it before this.
And thank you for your accurate concern. The Jarupa fire is close.
Fascinating place Cindy, I look forward to hearing more about it.
Thank you Sheree, I look forward to sharing more with you <3
I’m glad they’re restoring it. So beautiful.
It is utterly unique.
Such a lovely place Cindy. Glad to know it is well preserved.
Cindy, this is such a glorious building. So much beauty and art has gone intro creating it. I so wish to see it. Meanwhile I will go through your pictures again.
Thank you.
Miriam
Reblogging this to my readers at sister site Timeless Wisdoms
Pingback: Mission Inn – Timeless Wisdoms
Such a beautiful place and many interesting little features…As I was looking through the images my thought was how lovely it would be lit up and then I saw the image with the lighted windows as always superb images, Cindy 🙂 x
So vibrant and full of life
Love all your photos. This place has definitely a Spanish character. With some guitars and flamenco this will be it 😉
Wow-what a beautiful building!
how amazing is this building?! what a treasure –
What a glorious building Cindy. I am so glad it has been restored.
A very interesting inn. It does not seem to appear as inn but more of living mansion rather to me. Each floor has different outside designs. If it was a type of inn or hotel today, they all will look similar giving guests similar access , perhaps except one or two floors. I also love how the two side meet too. The place invites to explore through out.
Great picture tour from the outside of this interesting inn.
liebe Cindy, das hat mir sehr gefallen, mir geht es gut, ich hoffe, es geht dir wie mir, Klaus
Wow..this place is impressive Cindy! Thanks for sharing!
“. . . Flights of fancy everywhere you look.”
You’re not kidding. A very cool building.
It’s fabulous !!
This place looks amazing. Like something you would see in Europe.
Fascinating history, Cindy! I particularly loved the Tiffany windows…
What a beautiful looking mission and inn. I’m glad it was restored and preserved.
Thank you, Cindy for showing us this magnificent Historic Mission Inn! Looking forward to seeing the details.
Splendid – both photographs and subject.
It’s beautiful! I lived in CA for most of my life and never knew this place existed! I am looking forward to seeing the interior from your viewfinder.
Great captures! 💕
Ahhh…it’s Mission Innpossible (Photography series) ♡( ⁼̴̤̆ ꇴ ⁼̴̤̆ )♡
Thanks for sharing this place Cindy, then we are many able to enjoy your visit there 😀
The architecture is so European. Takes me to another continent!
What a great building! So California!
Wow! Obviously built as a labor of love. I’m glad it’s been restored. These photos are amazing!
Thank you Jacquie & I am happy you enjoyed it my friend <3
It’s beautiful, Cindy! Based on the captioned photo, I thought the inn was somewhere in Europe. It’s so close to home, I have to check it out one of these days.
It is close to me too and I basically never even heard of it. I was missing a lot. The holiday lights are said to be amazing.
Wow, it’s so Old World, magnificent!
Yes and it also has such whimsy. It is hard to take it too seriously which makes it even more fun.
Kind of like an elaborate movie set!
They have filmed a bunch of movies here and Anne Rice set two of her books here.
Truly a beautiful place. Looking forward to more pictures.
Thanks much Darnell. They will be coming soon. Be well my friend.
And the same to you
<3
It’s beautiful how your pictures capture the magnificence of the architecture and still retain the details that make it feel “homey”. Like the grand fountain of the lions softened with the greenery and the pumpkins. Beautiful duality!
I can see why it was chosen as a film site. Have you been able to experience any of the amenities?
Thank you for such thoughtful perceptions. We stayed a night and toured durying the day. We ate dinner al fresco which was delightful. I hear the spa is wonderful. We do want to return as the holiday lights are said to be incredible.
I’ll be near there in early December. Looks as though I should extend our stay if rooms are available. Thank you, Cindy, for this excellent re-introduction! (Visitted once, but only for lunch.)
The Christimas lights were just going up and and look to be truly spectacular. We stayed Halloween night. You might want to add an extra night.
A marvelous mix, Cindy!
Fascinatingly eclectic!
♥
Now I am interested in traveling to Riverside!
I think this is why I missed this place entirely. I never really wanted to come to Riverside, which turned out to be a big mistake. The old town is pure charm. They have art deco buildings and even those old street clocks. Very quiet nice back in time vibe.
Charm ! I agree. I looked up the location, and expected it to be more rural and farther north.
Quite a pleasant surprise to me too!
Gorgeous.
I want to come back and stay in the Anne Rice room.
Fantastic, and I’m so glad it’s been saved and restored
Thankfull a glass high rise didn’t replace it.
What a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you more for your kind appreciation.
🙂
Love the Mission Inn….have attended many functions there over the years! Love this post and can’t wait for your inside pics!! You have done it great justice!!
You are way ahead of me. Some home this place escaped my notice which is my loss. I will need to make up for lost time.
Hi Cindy. It was really an amazing treat to view this wonder in your recent adventure. To actually explore and feel its presence must have been magical. <3
Yes it was perfect for Halloween night!
Amazing!
I think so too!
Wow…. Mission Inn looks so grand and majestic.🙂
Yes! It is indeed both of these things.
Eine unglaublich schön gestaltete Welt in der Welt…
Ich grüsse dich, Freundin. Ernst
Ich liebe deinen klugen Kommentar. Vielen Dank und alles Gute Ernst.
Beautiful place ✨
It is indeed, thanks much.
My pleasure 😇
My goodness! You truly captured the majesty and beauty of this building. Thank you for the history, too.
Thank you for such thoughtful comment Jennie & cheers!
You are welcome, Cindy!
That is just an amazing building, wow.!
Thanks my friend. It is quite spectacular!
This is stunning Cindy. If they need someone to stay there I will volunteer. 🙂
Sign me up too!!!!
Wouldn’t that be fun! I’m sure there’s room enough!!!
Ohhh, yeah, lots and lots of rooms and places to explore….
What a beautiful building – flights of fancy and history captured. 🙂
Indeed <3
Wowwwwwwwwwwwww this is soooooooooo beautiful!!!!!!
It really is something special. Thank you my friend <3
Cindy, when your first photo loaded, I tried to figure out where you were this time. I had no idea something this lovely was right here in the U.S.!! You’re right — it looks foreign to me, with all that intriguing architecture, the chapel, mosaics, flowers, and all. I’m eager to see the inside!!
Thank you Debbie. I feel just as you do. This was a complete surprise to me and it has been close to me all along. Just goes to show, there is always mystery all around you, waiting to unfold.
The past remains with us…
Ain’t it great <3
Yes it is!!❤️🤗❤️🤗
Love the drama and vibrancy in your shots Cindy! Cant wait to see the interiors 💕
Thank you Val. You make me happy I posted <3
Wow, Cindy, what a place. You sold me on “flights of fancy” everywhere. Next time I find myself dashing through Riverside as fast as I can, I’ll slow down. 🙂 –Curt
Exactly what I have done all these years! Live and learn. The old town area around the inn is charming too.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful historic pictures. Blessings
Gratitude & blessings back to you Beverly <3
It is notorious the time and love in each added detail of the building. I recall a comic book writer and penciler, Frank Miller, curiously he has a story with that kind of architecture in his work for Sin City. I suspect this building is so iconic that has to be the inspiration for it. Thank you for share it : )
I think the Inn may have been an inspiration for many things. The actual first building was erected in the late 1800’s. And then it evolved in further buildings and enhancements along with the American West. I found the building, and it’s contents utterly fascinating, and way too much to absorb in one overnight say. I know too little about it so I can’t respond accurately as to whether there was a connection between the artist Frank Miller and the Mission Inn Frank Miller. I will tell you this, I am going back, because I am fascinated and want to know and see more. Anne Rice located two of her books here in the same room Paul Newman actually stayed, The Amistad Suite, under one of the cupolas. So many presidents stayed here, they actually have their portraits and the official seal on the floor to the presidential lounge. The greatest thing is I never knew anything about any of this…..
Thank you very much, Cindy. It only increases my love for this building ^_^
<3 <3
Sensational! <3
It is quite a singular sensation isn’t. I am still pondering it!
Only in California 🙂 I enjoy the exuberance of this building.
Exactly!
Hi Cindy.
I have tagged you in the “One grateful person tag.” I appreciate your blog and I want to share it. The link is below. Enjoy your day.
https://becomingtheoilandwine.com/2019/11/04/1-grateful-person-tag/
Your genuine kindness touches my heart Beverly. Blessings to you sweet lady. You cast your bread upon the water and share your love. Nothing is more important than this. Thank you.
Thank you Cindy for your kind words. Have a great day.
Visa versa 2UX2 <3
Thanks for the tour and enjoyed your perspective.
I am glad you joined me and enjoyed yourself. Thank you!
What a cool place. I’m glad it was saved. 🙂
Thank you, so am I <3
Fabulous architecture and photos, Cindy.
I am so happy you enjoyed both. You make me glad I posted them <3
Gorgeous architecture. You did an awesome job with the photos. Thanks for the tour!
It was so much fun taking the tour with you!
Cindy these photos are stunning. The place looks wonderful.
Thank you for sharing them.
Have a great week.
Thank you for such a kind and thoughtful comment and be well my friend.
Cindy, thank you for these lovely photographs!
Do you like Anne Rice? She placed two of her later novels here. I have only read about her first six or so, but I was a follower, and so were my children. I can see why she resonates with this eclectic old inn.
Wow! It must feel like travelling through time… 😀
It does, and this is my most favorite feeling, and is why I like staying in old places. It almost feels to me like progression means moving backwards in time.
Yep!
Some pictures remind me a lot of Cuba… Like the Rotunda Wing. I used to go to a place in Havana where they organized concerts and shows that looked a lot like that – except that it was in dire need of some paint and restauration – but that is almost 20 years ago… it may have changed by now… 😉
Yes! Interesting isn’t it. It reminds me a lot of Latin America, especially The Colonial Cities. There is such a gorgeous blending of architectural and cultural styles in these cities. There is a hotel named La Casa de la Marquesa in Queretaro Mexico that reminded me of a smaller version of the Inn. Marquesa is the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed in.
Your photography takes us there. Thank you.
I am so grateful you travel with me <3
Hi Cuz. I have a real interest in the old mission buildings, and this must be the biggest of ’em all. Hugs 💃☘🕺
How are you cuz? It is awesome to hear from you! Mission and Californio architecture is my personal choice for the home I live in. It is old and it is beautiful, unique to the west, but borrowed from old Spain, Asia, and Arabia. It feels like home to me because it is. Hugs to you cuz and be well my friend.
Great shots, Cindy! Takes me back to when I shot a student film there. Classmates and professor were absolutely convinced I drove to Mexico to shoot the film!
How fascinating and I can understand this perfectly. This hotel looks like the colonial cities of Mexico, especially Queretaro and Zacatecas.
What a gorgeous place! Would love to see it someday!
I hope you do. You will enjoy the experience immensely.
Jaw-dropping! Beautiful but possibly just a tad overblown?
Subtle it definitely is not!
Wow! These photos are a feast for the eyes. There is so much to take in I’d love to visit it in person. Beautiful!
I was so surprised to find this and then chagrined that I never knew of it before.
There is so much beauty in the world a couple hundred lifetimes probably wouldn’t be enough to soak in everything.
This is true and you are practising gratitude. Good on you Stephanae <3
💗
What a cool area, gorgeous architecture.
Thanks much. It was a delightful surprise.
The Inn must be a really fun place to visit, very eclectic!!
It is great fun and the surrounding area is also interesting to explore.
Beautiful architecture. Very picturesque. A treasure trove of history to California’s Spanish heritage. It’s great they could finally find a way to preserve and honor it after the financial setbacks.
Yes, I am happy it is successfully preserved. It is like living history.
Kudos to the Mission Inn Corp! What a treasure!
Yes indeed. I hear their Christmas lights are an extravaganza which I would love to see.
What a beautiful place! Your photos, as always, are incredible.
Incidentally, when you mentioned mosaics designed by Louis Tiffany, is he from THE Tiffanys?
Good question. Thank you. They are original. They were designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1906 for a church in New York.
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
I somehow missed this beautiful first post by Cindy Knoke about the historic Mission Inn in Riverside California.
You are such a lovely friend. Be well Patricia <3
Wow, what an AMAZING building! I had no idea. A good reason to visit Riverside.
I agree. I have driven through Riverside all my life without stopping. The old town surrounding the inn was also a surprise. It is good to be surprised.
Pingback: Mission Inn~ — – Truth Troubles
Grazie mille <3
OMG! This is beautiful artichecture
I agree with you and am happy you enjoyed~
I’ve seen the Inn from the outside numerous times but never gone inside. Truly awe-inspiring!
Go in! Have dinner and explore. It is quite amazing დ