I live here and see this marvelous example of old school workmanship and design daily. This neighborhood is filled with homes from that Era. This home is a exotic mix of 19th century and classical influences. This magnificent home is a totally unique must see. Tour this neighborhood, you won't be disappointed.
Back in 1970, I and two classmates went to photograph the exterior as part of a High School architecture project. We had smoked a little weed and were skulking around outside shooting close-up detail of all the architectural features of the Villa when a friendly old black gentleman introduced himself as the caretaker and asked us if we wanted the grand tour. He filled our heads with stories of how the original owner, Jesse Shepard, was a concert pianist who was light in the loafers and had a live-in "partner." Evidently the neighbors began to catch wind of their relationship, so they quickly sold the Villa Montezuma, and moved to Europe before they got lynched for Sodomy. The old place was supposedly haunted by a ghost. A butler that served renters Mr & Mrs Franklin Lynch during the 1920s. The story was that the Lynch's butler was smitten with a young part-time maid (much younger) the Lynches had retained for occasional gatherings and light housekeeping. When the maid strongly rebuffed the butler's advances and announced that she was getting married and would be leaving the Lynch's employ, he grew despondent and days later blew his brains out in the garden. The ground drenched in the butler's blood remained barren from that day forward. I thought that story had a nice effect, but it was later revised to have the butler hanging himself from the balcony rail outside the observation tower. Knowing architecture from that period, I know that the exterior railing is only 36" tall and is strictly ornamental. It could have never supported the weight of a grown man throwing himself out the window of the 3 floor observation tower. Also, the balcony is a facade and the windows are all fixed plate and un-openable. The stairway could have accommodated enough of a drop to hang oneself, but there was no structural member from which to tie off a rope from above. Another mistaken tale was that Jesse Shepard died mysteriously while giving a piano recital in his home. But that wasn't in the Villa Montezuma. It was a place that Shepard and his partner, Lawrence Tonner, shared in Los Angeles in 1927. So anyway, that's what I was told by the caretaker.
Fantastic story and information! Thanks for sharing! I was a docent there briefly (for about a month) years ago. Fascinating place and history! A shame that it has been closed for so long. It is a real gem! Also…love your handle! We watch “King of the Hill” every night at dinner. The best!
This beautiful, short film makes me feel like I'm a guest at the Villa Montezuma. It captures a feeling of being there, and it's fascinating. It's rare for a place to be so grand and so intimate and cozy at the same time; the film imparts some of the glow of actually being there. I highly recommend the film as well as a visit in person.
What an amazing house! I've never been to San Diego, but if I ever get there, I'm definitely going to want to visit Villa Montezuma. The stained glass windows and fireplace tiles alone (FIVE fireplaces! Jesse Shepard knew how to live!) would be worth the trip. This film made me want to read more about Mr. Shepard (or "Francis Grierson.") Interesting person who lived an interesting life. As the narrator says at the end, "it isn't haunted...it's enchanted."
Took the tour today and would like to see less signs and things around the building... Signs, canopies, porta-poties... totally distract from the beauty of this house, not to mention, over gown hedges blocking the fence. Fence dividing the properties is also very run down. I don't have to tell The City Of San Diego all this place needs. It's time to put THE MONEY into this place NOT A STADIUM. PS. there are to "florescent" colored light bulbs in the Music Room that should be 'incandescent' colored, like the rest of the bulbs.
I was lucky enough to visit this house on a ghost tour not the inside but It was magnificent all the same I would love to go back one day to look inside this amazing house!
Every now and then I cycle around the house during lunch break to take in the artwork from outside. Today I had the 1pm tour here. Two women guided the tour. The more mature woman spoke a lot and was informative, I kind of wish we had at least 2 min to look at the details of the room after she spoke. I didn’t want to be rude but I would often look around what details the house had while she spoke. The other woman, shorter height, blondish color haired woman in training was attractive. Lol I couldn’t stop taking glances at her.
Truly one of the more amazing Victorian gems still standing. An incredible Queen Anne with so many different styles incorporated into it. Corbals, stained and fired glass windows, ridge cresting, mosaics, finials and an awesome turret. What a pillar of beauty. www.VictorianDepot.com
The City of San Diego and the Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc. (FOVM) invite you to see inside this magnificent 1887 Queen Anne historic site during no-cost guided tours of the museum on Saturday mornings on March 17, June 2, August 18, and October 20, 2018. There will be seven tours from 9:00 through noon. Guests are encourage to register for a tour time at www.SDRecConnect.com (search for "Villa," not "Villa Montezuma," to find the tour list). Walk-ups welcome (go to the City's booth in the backyard to fill out the City's liability waiver form). Museum location: corner of 20th and K Streets in the Sherman Heights Historic District of San Diego. There is free street parking. For more information, visit the FOVM website at www.VillaMontezumaMuseum.org or email FOVM@VillaMontezumaMuseum.org
I live here and see this marvelous example of old school workmanship and design daily. This neighborhood is filled with homes from that Era. This home is a exotic mix of 19th century and classical influences. This magnificent home is a totally unique must see. Tour this neighborhood, you won't be disappointed.
Back in 1970, I and two classmates went to photograph the exterior as part of a High School architecture project. We had smoked a little weed and were skulking around outside shooting close-up detail of all the architectural features of the Villa when a friendly old black gentleman introduced himself as the caretaker and asked us if we wanted the grand tour. He filled our heads with stories of how the original owner, Jesse Shepard, was a concert pianist who was light in the loafers and had a live-in "partner." Evidently the neighbors began to catch wind of their relationship, so they quickly sold the Villa Montezuma, and moved to Europe before they got lynched for Sodomy. The old place was supposedly haunted by a ghost. A butler that served renters Mr & Mrs Franklin Lynch during the 1920s. The story was that the Lynch's butler was smitten with a young part-time maid (much younger) the Lynches had retained for occasional gatherings and light housekeeping. When the maid strongly rebuffed the butler's advances and announced that she was getting married and would be leaving the Lynch's employ, he grew despondent and days later blew his brains out in the garden. The ground drenched in the butler's blood remained barren from that day forward. I thought that story had a nice effect, but it was later revised to have the butler hanging himself from the balcony rail outside the observation tower. Knowing architecture from that period, I know that the exterior railing is only 36" tall and is strictly ornamental. It could have never supported the weight of a grown man throwing himself out the window of the 3 floor observation tower. Also, the balcony is a facade and the windows are all fixed plate and un-openable. The stairway could have accommodated enough of a drop to hang oneself, but there was no structural member from which to tie off a rope from above. Another mistaken tale was that Jesse Shepard died mysteriously while giving a piano recital in his home. But that wasn't in the Villa Montezuma. It was a place that Shepard and his partner, Lawrence Tonner, shared in Los Angeles in 1927. So anyway, that's what I was told by the caretaker.
Fantastic story and information! Thanks for sharing! I was a docent there briefly (for about a month) years ago. Fascinating place and history! A shame that it has been closed for so long. It is a real gem!
Also…love your handle! We watch “King of the Hill” every night at dinner. The best!
One of the most informative productions of one my most favourite places on Earth. Great job!
This beautiful, short film makes me feel like I'm a guest at the Villa Montezuma. It captures a feeling of being there, and it's fascinating. It's rare for a place to be so grand and so intimate and cozy at the same time; the film imparts some of the glow of actually being there. I highly recommend the film as well as a visit in person.
We toured it today! Splendid ❤
I live right by there! Is really cool
Me too I'm amazed by the architecture and history every time. Can we meet to talk and enjoy?
What an amazing house! I've never been to San Diego, but if I ever get there, I'm definitely going to want to visit Villa Montezuma. The stained glass windows and fireplace tiles alone (FIVE fireplaces! Jesse Shepard knew how to live!) would be worth the trip. This film made me want to read more about Mr. Shepard (or "Francis Grierson.") Interesting person who lived an interesting life. As the narrator says at the end, "it isn't haunted...it's enchanted."
Took the tour today and would like to see less signs and things around the building... Signs, canopies, porta-poties... totally distract from the beauty of this house, not to mention, over gown hedges blocking the fence. Fence dividing the properties is also very run down. I don't have to tell The City Of San Diego all this place needs. It's time to put THE MONEY into this place NOT A STADIUM. PS. there are to "florescent" colored light bulbs in the Music Room that should be 'incandescent' colored, like the rest of the bulbs.
One of our City's Treasures
I was lucky enough to visit this house on a ghost tour not the inside but It was magnificent all the same I would love to go back one day to look inside this amazing house!
Every now and then I cycle around the house during lunch break to take in the artwork from outside.
Today I had the 1pm tour here.
Two women guided the tour. The more mature woman spoke a lot and was informative, I kind of wish we had at least 2 min to look at the details of the room after she spoke.
I didn’t want to be rude but I would often look around what details the house had while she spoke.
The other woman, shorter height, blondish color haired woman in training was attractive. Lol I couldn’t stop taking glances at her.
Truly one of the more amazing Victorian gems still standing. An incredible Queen Anne with so many different styles incorporated into it. Corbals, stained and fired glass windows, ridge cresting, mosaics, finials and an awesome turret. What a pillar of beauty. www.VictorianDepot.com
The City of San Diego and the Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc. (FOVM) invite you to see inside this magnificent 1887 Queen Anne historic site during no-cost guided tours of the museum on Saturday mornings on March 17, June 2, August 18, and October 20, 2018. There will be seven tours from 9:00 through noon. Guests are encourage to register for a tour time at www.SDRecConnect.com (search for "Villa," not "Villa Montezuma," to find the tour list). Walk-ups welcome (go to the City's booth in the backyard to fill out the City's liability waiver form). Museum location: corner of 20th and K Streets in the Sherman Heights Historic District of San Diego. There is free street parking. For more information, visit the FOVM website at www.VillaMontezumaMuseum.org or email FOVM@VillaMontezumaMuseum.org
Warning !!!!
It's hunted
Mary Empire have you been there?
Who "hunted" it? The haunted?
@@jethrojackson6023 I mean it's haunted xD
@@ajfromsd no but I saw I documentary about this villa
😂🎉 0:17