CaliforniaRealtySite

The Basics: Spacious house high atop a Southern California hill, with spectacular views of a scenic lake? Check. 5 bedrooms and 6 baths wrapped in a neo-Moorish stucco package commissioned by a controversial religious figure of the early 20th Century? Double check. An opulent manse helpfully equipped with secret passageways and underground tunnels to allow residents to evade pitchfork wielding villagers door-to-door salesmen? Well, maybe.

Rumors have swirled around the Aimee Semple McPherson house – Aimee’s Castle to its friends – since its completion in the early 1930’s as a retreat for the radio evangelist and Angelus Temple founder. And while there may not be underground tunnels, there are plenty of features to recommend this home for the price-conscious mansion buyer, especially since this historic and scenic property can be had for just under $1.25 million.

Not bad for 4,421 square feet of house overlooking the largest freshwater lake in Southern California, no?

See the listing at REALTOR.com^®

The Details: Ah, but you’re probably thinking “$1.25 million? I sense an out of code fixer-upper that’ll end up eating twice that in renovations.” And while we can’t speak for the wiring, plumbing, or seismic-retrofitting of the secret tunnels (we choose to believe they are real, and you can’t stop us) we can, through the magic of cannily-framed real estate listing photographs, give you a peek at the house and grounds.

An excellent view of the house’s Moorish design elements. Notice the cross in the upper left corner of the photo – just to make clear, we suppose, that this house which looks very much like a mosque is no such thing. Very important for an evangelical revivalist’s abode.

Why walk to Lake Elsinore to swim when you can have a pool overlooking Lake Elsinore?

A parlor with a piano, doors opening onto a veranda, and hardwood floors. Very Mediterranean, and very inviting. Sort of like Rick’s Café Américain, only without the war, or Ingrid Bergman.

A sitting room with spectacular mountain views and a globe, just in case you need a navigation aid. You know, if GPS, Google Maps, and the Internet all broke at once. Unlikely, we know, but it looks cool.

Dining room, with more great views. Is there a room in this house without a great view?

The kitchen would make a great make-over project for the new owner. It’s got great original touches, and – yet again! – a view of the mountains.

The Bottom Line: We like it. For folks with a sense of history, who appreciate unique architecture and original fixtures (not to mention possible secret passages), it’s definitely worth a look. How about you? What do you think of Aimee’s Castle? The comments are open for you to discuss amongst yourselves.

- Scott Garner, Move Trends Editor
E-Mail: Scott.Garner@Move.com

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