The Breathtaking Mansion In Southern California You Must Visit This Year

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Queen Anne Victorian architecture began to make an appearance in the United States. Today, a few residences built in this style remain preserved in all of their turn-of-the-century splendor. Long Beach Heritage has called this Victorian mansion in Southern California "the single most important example of this style of architecture remaining in Long Beach today" and we definitely agree.

Also called the Green-Rankin-Bembridge House, this breathtaking residence was built in 1906 by Stephen and Josephine Green. It was purchased by Thomas Rankin in 1918 and his daughter, Dorothy Bembridge lived in the house until 1999.

The mansion was designated a Long Beach Historic Landmark in 1981 and, following the death of Dorothy Bembridge, was purchased in 2000 by the Long Beach Heritage, an entity that is responsible for preserving the structures and landscaping on the property.

Typical of Queen Anne Victorian architecture, the Bembridge House has a deep wraparound porch, bay windows, stained glass, a tower with its cone-shaped roof, a high pitch gable roof, and a large number of beveled windows.

The house has a total of 18 rooms, which included four bathrooms. There were some alterations and additions to the house in the 1920s, which have remained unchanged since.

Take time to appreciate the craftsmanship and details, at once delicate and ornate, that characterize every part of the mansion's interior and exterior.

Beside the main house, and constructed at the same time, sits a two-story carriage house in the same Victorian-era style. There is also a bird aviary on the property.

Walking through this mansion, you almost feel as if time stopped and you are actually in the early 1900s.

The interior remains intact with its original grand staircase, woodwork, stained glass windows, mirrors, gas lighting fixtures, pocket doors, tiled fireplace, and built-in buffet.

Many of the original furnishings and personal items remain preserved throughout the rooms in the home. This is as close as you can get to actually living when this stunning structure was new.

A "Little Library" mirroring the style of the mansion has found a home at the front of the property. Visitors are encouraged to take a book or contribute one for someone else to discover.

The Bembridge House hosts community events like formal teas and holiday events, and is also a spectacular venue for an elegant wedding.

What do you think of this stunning Victorian mansion in Southern California? Learn more about the history of Bembridge House on the Long Beach Heritage website or follow the Bembridge House on Facebook.