The Morey Mansion: Redlands’ Victorian Jewel of Mystery and Memory
Tucked amid the citrus-scented hills of Redlands, California, the Morey Mansion rises from the landscape like a fairytale frozen in time.
With its onion-domed tower, lace-like woodwork, and romantic history of love, loss, and legend, this 1890 Queen Anne–style home is more than just a house—it’s a storybook come to life.
Once the pride of a booming citrus empire and now a symbol of timeless architectural grandeur, the Morey Mansion has captivated generations with its beauty, its mysteries, and the lives that have passed through its rooms.
A Dream Built from Orange Trees
The Morey Mansion’s story begins with David and Sarah Morey, early Redlands pioneers who turned their passion for citrus into prosperity.
As the orange groves bloomed around the San Bernardino Valley, the Moreys dreamed bigger.
Using the success of their nursery, they poured their energy into creating a home that would reflect not only their wealth, but also their deep appreciation for art, craftsmanship, and each other.
What emerged was no ordinary house. Designed with flair and built with precision, the mansion became a dazzling showcase of Victorian exuberance.
With twenty rooms, multiple fireplaces, hand-carved woodwork, soaring ceilings, and nearly 100 windows to flood the home with California sunlight, it was as much a palace as it was a residence.
Outside, turrets and gables rose against the sky. A wraparound porch curled elegantly around the base.
The structure itself seemed to flirt with every architectural influence of the era—French, Gothic, Italianate, Moorish, and even Chinese—creating an aesthetic that was as bold as it was beautiful.
Love, Loss, and a Lingering Presence
Though the mansion was meant to be a monument to David and Sarah’s shared life, fate had other plans. Just one year after they moved in, Sarah Morey passed away suddenly. Her death devastated David. Overwhelmed by grief, he never lived in the house again.
Unable to cope with his sorrow, David drifted away from Redlands and eventually took his own life in a San Diego hotel. The mansion, once a symbol of ambition and joy, became a ghost of a dream lost too soon.
And perhaps, some say, that dream never fully left. Over the decades, countless visitors have claimed to feel Sarah’s presence in the mansion.
The so-called “Blue Room,” believed to be the one where she died, has been the center of strange occurrences: unexplained cold spots, flickering lights, and ghostly voices heard when no one is around.
Some even believe the couple’s deep bond has tethered them to the place they built together—a love so strong, it outlived life itself.
A Stage for History and Hollywood
After the Moreys, the mansion passed through several hands, each adding a new layer to its story. In the early 20th century, it became the home of a prominent local family with connections to the founders of a major American company.
Later, it was reportedly linked to the glamorous world of Hollywood, with stories suggesting that actress Carole Lombard was once set to inherit it—only for tragedy to intervene once more when she died in a plane crash before taking possession.
By the mid-century, the mansion had caught the eye of filmmakers. Its stately silhouette and gothic undertones made it the perfect backdrop for mystery and drama. In the early 1950s, it appeared on screen in a film noir thriller, where it served as the home of a shadowy character with secrets of his own.
Over time, the mansion’s cinematic presence only deepened its mystique, attracting those who felt drawn to its romantic and eerie allure.
A Boyhood Dream Realized
One of the most charming stories associated with the mansion is that of a man who, as a young boy, saw the house from the street and vowed to one day own it. Decades later, when he learned it was for sale, he wasted no time in making that childhood wish come true.
Under his ownership, the home was lovingly maintained, its original woodwork preserved, and its legacy honored. This passion would become a hallmark of nearly every owner who followed—each recognizing that the Morey Mansion wasn’t just a house, but a piece of living history.
From Grand Estate to Bed & Breakfast
In the 1980s, the mansion underwent a transformation that allowed the public to experience its charm firsthand. It became Redlands’ first bed and breakfast, welcoming guests from near and far who came not just for a place to stay, but for a step back in time.
Visitors wandered its halls, admiring the ornate details: the golden oak paneling, hand-carved calla lilies in the parlor, nautical motifs carved into doorframes—a nod to David Morey’s earlier life as a shipbuilder. Stained-glass windows painted the rooms with soft, colorful light, and antique furnishings gave each space an air of old-world grace.
Afternoon teas on the veranda became a favorite pastime, while the brave could request a stay in the Blue Room—if they didn’t mind a ghostly giggle or two in the night.
A Return to Glory
In the late 1990s, the mansion changed hands again. A new owner took on the task of restoring the home to its former glory, overseeing repairs and careful renovations that respected its heritage while updating its systems for modern safety.
Each decision—from choosing historically accurate wallpaper to hand-finishing the shingles—was made with reverence and dedication.
Though briefly transitioned to a private residence, the mansion continued to stir public fascination. After a brief period of uncertainty and foreclosure, it returned to a familiar caretaker committed to its preservation.
Today, the mansion stands as a proud symbol of Redlands’ architectural heritage—a landmark both majestic and mysterious.
The Enduring Spell of Morey Mansion
What is it about the Morey Mansion that continues to enchant? Is it the fairytale architecture, rising like a dream against the California sky? Is it the tragic romance of its founders, whose love built a home so strong that even death couldn’t erase their presence?
Or is it simply that some places carry with them a magic we can’t explain—only feel?
For some, it’s the intricate woodwork and stained glass. For others, it’s the whispers of ghosts or the flicker of candlelight in a tall window at dusk.
But for everyone who visits—or even glimpses it from the road—the Morey Mansion leaves a lasting impression.
It reminds us that history isn’t just facts and dates. It’s people. Dreams. Grief and hope. It’s love carved into staircases, laughter echoing through parlors, and memories that linger like perfume in the air.
In every sense, the Morey Mansion is more than wood and stone. It’s a story. And that story is still being told.
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