History of Chateau
Bradbury Estate
The marriage of Isaac Hilliard Polk and Minerva
Josephine Bradbury united two families prominent both in the United States and
in Mexico. Isaac was the scion of a Tennessee family distinguished in military
circles since the Revolutionary War. He was a second cousin of President James
Knox Polk. Minerva Bradbury's father, Lewis Leonard Bradbury, was born to a
wealthy family in Bangor, Maine, while her mother, the former Simona Martinez,
was the daughter of a prominent family in Mazatlan, Mexico.
In 1912, Isaac and Minerva decided to build their
dream house. They retained the services of architect Robert D. Farquhar, who
also designed the Clark Library and the California Club in Los Angeles and the
Fenyes Mansion in Pasadena. He was later to serve as the chief architect for the
Pentagon in Washington, D.C. It took two years to complete the home. More than
350,000 bricks, laid in a Flemish bond, were required, and the cost was $85,000.
The Polks named their elegant house "Polk Place", after Isaac's
boyhood home in Tennessee.
Isacc and Minerva Polk had two sons, Lewis Bradbury
Polk and Isaac Hilliard Polk, who grew to maturity in the house. Each planned to
follow in the family tradition of military service. Louis received a commission
to Annapolis, and Hilliard a commission to West point. Sadly, neither was able
to complete his military training. Isaac and Minerva Polk died within twelve
days of each other, and their sons resigned their commissions to return to
California and settle their parents' estate.
Judge Rupert Turnbull purchased Polk Place from the
estate in 1922 and made it his family home for the next 25 years. The Turnbull's
daughter, Loretta, was a pioneer for women in the field of speed boat racing,
and took first place in her class in the 1932 Olympics.
After their family was grown, Judge Turnbull
sold Polk Place to Leonard and Thelma White. Mrs. White, wanting to do justice
to the elegant nature of the house, re-christened it "Chateau
Bradbury", the name it bears to this day.
The Estate changed owners several times in the
1970's and 1980's and subsequently fell into a major state of disrepair for the
next twenty years. In the late 1970's
the house was purchased for a time by David Lee Roth (Van Halen
Band) and used as a hang out and party house for David and his rock n' roll friends.
The current owner, Scot Anderson,
purchased the house in 1989. He has completely renovated the interior of the house and re-landscaped the grounds surrounding
it and brought the property back to its former glory. Hosting Weddings and
Film Productions has allowed the owner to continue the restoration work that was
stated in 1989. The owner also donates use of the property throughout the
year for many Civic and Community Events which allows the public access to one
of the San Gabriel Valleys great treasures.
Pre-restoration Pictures
In addition to the living room, formal dining room,
and kitchen-pantry area, Chateau Bradbury has a library, eight bedrooms, seven
bathrooms, and five fireplaces. The third floor originally contained the
servant's quarters but is now the owners residence. The sturdy brick walls and
the French doors in each of the rooms on the ground floor make Chateau Bradbury
a comfortable, light, and airy home. The garage has a small apartment
above that was originally the chauffeurs quarters.
Motion picture and television production companies routinely film on
location at Chateau Bradbury Estate. Commercial and professional photography is
produced here as well.
Webmaster: Scot@ChateauBradbury.com
for
questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2003 Chateau Bradbury Estate
Last updated:
November 20, 2007