Who lived in hearst castle
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Hearst Castle’s history begins in 1865, when George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of ranchland. After his mother’s death in 1919, William Randolph Hearst inherited thousands of acres around San Simeon, and over time, he purchased more. The spread eventually encompassed about 250,000 acres. With architect Julia Morgan, Hearst conceived a retreat he called La Cuesta Encantada—Spanish for “Enchanted Hill.” By 1947, when Hearst had to leave the remote location because of his fragile health, the estate was still unfinished even though it comprised 165 rooms and 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways—all built to Hearst’s specifications and showcasing a legendary art collection.
Notable Areas at Hearst Castle
Before you walk through Hearst Castle’s larger-than-life rooms, and explore its grandeur while on a tour, learn more about the history behind some of its most notable and storied rooms, gardens and pools.
Explore Famous Hearst Castle Areas
The Gardens of Hearst Castle
Discover the lush, serene gardens that were planned and developed as careful
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Hearst Castle
Historical estate in San Simeon, California
Not to be confused with Hurst Castle, Henry VIII's Device Fort near Lymington in England.
United States historic place
Hearst Castle | |
U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
U.S. National Historic Landmark | |
California Historical Landmark No. 640[2] | |
Casa Grande, inspired by the Church of Santa María la Mayor, Ronda, Spain, forms the centerpiece of Hearst's estate. | |
| Nearest city | San Simeon, California, United States |
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| Coordinates | 35°41′07″N121°10′04″W / 35.68528°N 121.16778°W / 35.68528; -121.16778 |
| Area | More than 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2) |
| Built | 1919–1947 |
| Architect | Julia Morgan |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, other late 19th and 20th century revival styles |
| Website | www.hearstcastle.org |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000253[1] |
| CHISL No. | 640[2] |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1972 |
| Designated CHISL | April 28, 1958 |
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William Randolph Hearst, the man who conceived Hearst Castle, was a media genius whose influence extended to publishing, politics, Hollywood, the art world and everyday American life. His power and vision allowed him to pursue one of the most ambitious architectural endeavors in American history, the result of which can be seen in magnificent grounds and structures of Hearst Castle.
Mr. Hearst was born on April 29, 1863, in San Francisco, California, as the only child of George and Phoebe Hearst. His father, a wealthy man as a result of relentless work and creativity in his various mining interests, allowed young William the opportunity to see and experience the world as few do.
At the age of ten Hearst toured Europe with his mother. Inspiration rose from the grandeur and scale of castles, art and history. This experience fueled Hearst’s life long aspiration to recreate this majesty for his own enjoyment. Back in the United States, Hearst was enrolled in St. Paul’s Preparatory School in Concord, New Hampshire at the age of 16. Hearst continued his education at Harvard w
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