User:Ginnybat/sandbox/Franceschi Park

Franceschi Park is a 15-acre urban park in Santa Barbara, California. It is known for its panoramic views of Santa Barbara and the ocean, and for the now-derelict Arts and Crafts style mansion on the premises.

The park was established in 1931 when Alden Freedman donated the estate to the City of Santa Barbara. The City acquired additional parcels of land in later years, increasing the size of the park.

Franceschi Park consists of land once owned by horticulturalist Francesco Franceschi, and the house he had built for his wife, Cristina, and their children. The house, originally called Montarioso, was built in 1893. The Montarioso estate was well-known in the region for its gardens, which contained many numerous exotic plant varieties.

After Franceschi left the United States, Alden Freeman purchased Montarioso.

http://www.cglhs.org/archives/Eden-12.4-Wi-2009.pdf

pearl chase society stabilized house, restored medallions, prevented from further work by city

http://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_barbara_ready_to_bulldoze_historic_franceschi_house

dates and status

http://services.santabarbaraca.gov/CAP/MG124568/AS124572/AS124586/AS124595/AI128820/DO128821/DO_128821.pdf

parks dept recommendation to city council: demolition

http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/SBdocuments/Advisory_Groups/Historic_Landmarks_Commission/Archive/2013_Archives/03_Staff_Reports/2013_11_06_11-06-2013_Item_4_2112_Santa_Barbara_St_Landmark_Recommendation_Hearing.pdf

landscape architect