Kimberly Crest

Kimberly Crest House and Gardens is a historic French château-style Victorian mansion located in Redlands, California. Constructed in 1897, the residence was designed by architects Lyman Farwell and Oliver Perry Dennis. Originally built for Cornelia A. Hill, a local pioneer, the property gained its enduring name in 1905 when it was purchased by John Alfred Kimberly, a co-founder of the Kimberly-Clark paper company. He acquired the home as a winter retreat from Wisconsin, and his family subsequently installed elaborate Italian gardens on the grounds. The estate is recognized for its architectural grandeur and is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and as a California Historical Landmark.

The property holds significant historical value due to its unique preservation and transition to public ownership. The Kimberly family resided there until 1979, when Mary Kimberly Shirk, the daughter of John Alfred Kimberly, passed away. Before her death, she challenged the city to raise funds to purchase surrounding land for a botanical park, promising to bequeath the mansion and its immediate grounds to the people of Redlands upon successful completion. The community met this challenge, leading to the creation of Prospect Park and the establishment of the Kimberly-Shirk Association, which currently manages the site as a museum and event venue.

Beyond its architectural and civic importance, Kimberly Crest has appeared in popular culture. The mansion served as a primary filming location for the 1981 horror film Hell Night, starring Linda Blair, although the movie fictionalized the existence of tunnels beneath the house. The grounds have also hosted music video productions, including Fleetwood Mac's Big Love. Today, the estate remains a well-preserved example of late nineteenth-century luxury, offering visitors a glimpse into the Gilded Age while functioning as an active cultural landmark in Southern California.