The Visalian, upon which my 1:24 scale Seaside Villa is based, was modeled after a real house in Visalia, California, that burned down in the early 1980s. After my first post about the dollhouse, I was contacted by Judy Lewin, the owner of Mill Creek Miniatures and a former Visalia resident who researched the house in the Visalia library. She was kind enough to send me the info she has, and told me it’s okay to share.
Photo provided by Judy Lewin, photographer unknown
The Hilliard House
The house was built by L. D. Hilliard [Lorenzo Dow, nicknamed “Renzi”], in the early 1900s:
The farm consists of two hundred and forty acres on the Mineral King road, about five miles east of Visalia, where he has made all the improvements, putting up substantial barns and outbuildings, and in 1904 built a nine-room, two-story residence which adds no little value to the property. This is conceded to be one of the finest farm-houses in the vicinity, while other improvements are in keeping. His herds number among them good graded stock, and Mr. Hilliard has ably demonstrated the fact that he understands the work with which he has been so long and so profitably connected. … Near Exeter, Tulare county, September 3, 1884, Mr. Hilliard was united in marriage with Laura B. Teague, who was born in that vicinity, a daughter of John Teague, of Exeter. They are the parents of two children, Carroll Arthur and Effie Elizabeth.
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the San Joaquin Valley, California
As newspaper columnist Joe Doctor recalled of a visit to the property, the house was located “at what was then known as Hilliard’s Corner, across the road from Deep Creek school and beside what was then known as Mineral King Highway but is now Highway 198.” You can read his memories of Renzi Hilliard and daughter Effie (whose married name was Strobridge) in a column that Judy transcribed from a faded photocopy.
The original cost of the house was around $1,300.
Renzi’s daughter Effie was 92 years old and living alone in the house when it burned down in 1983. From another document Judy transcribed:
Fire officials said Mrs. Strobridge was warming a robe next to a range when the robe caught fire. She extinguished the fire in a sink and put the garment on a cushion, but soon saw the cushion smouldering. She took the cushion outside to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. Thinking the fire was out she placed the cushion on the back porch to dry.
Later Mrs. Strobridge observed that the side of the house was ablaze and attempted to put it out with the garden hose.
… The material in the lovely old home, dried from eight decades of San Joaquin valley summers, had roared into uncontrollable flames. The damage was total. Estimated loss was $200,000 to the house [and] $100,000 to the contents, many of which were antique.
The Visalian Dollhouse
The Hilliard house was still standing when Visalia woodworker Howard Hill recreated it in 1:12 scale. The N.A.M.E. magazine Miniature Gazette ran a cover story about the Visalian and Hill’s company, One of a Kind Wood Shop, in their Fall 1982 issue.
From the Miniature Gazette article:
In 1974, the Hills [Howard and his wife Gloria] decided to open a gift shop. … It was a show room that had everything wooden one could imagine, from salad bowls and snack tables to carvings and chest sets. … Because of numerous requests, the Wood Shop started carrying a line of dollhouse kits. While these kits were cute and somewhat functional, they were in no way to be considered collector’s houses.
… As time went on, miniature furniture and accessories were appearing throughout the store. Then one day, a local service club that Mrs. Hill belonged to, decided to design and build a custom dollhouse as a raffle prize for a charity fund raiser. With a lot of help from Mr. Hill, this was quite successful. By the time a year had rolled around, and the club was ready for another dollhouse, the Hills had decided to conduct a dollhouse design and construction class. The idea being that Howard would build a house along with the class, and it would be donated to the club, for the raffle. The house that Mr. Hill had decided to create was inspired by a lovely old Victorian house located nearby.
An undated newspaper article that Judy found at the library continued the story:
Howard Hill had driven past the picturesque mansion hundreds of times, never failing to detect the subtle beauty and grace of the house peeking out from beneath the hovering ancient shade trees, which seem to be shielding the house from the prying eyes of highway travelers. Lodged in Howard’s subconscious was the design, shape and style of architecture of the charming house.
…The first “Visalian” miniature house was built through a joint effort between Howard and Gloria Hill and a class of 16 miniature enthusiasts. … Because of the difficulty and investment of time involved in building an original miniature house without a kit, Howard has worked up a “Visalian” kit, containing all the pre-cut pieces needed to assemble the framework of the house. The trimmings to the “Visalian” such as shingles, molding, brickwork, electrical wiring and interior decorations are all purchased extra. It is conceivable that by the time a hobbyist completes his own version of the “Visalian” he could spend $600.
Back to the Miniature Gazette article:
The Visalian’s first appearance was in the San Francisco Gift Show in February of 1979 … The response to the house was so overwhelming, the Hills rushed home and wrote an instruction book complete with step by step pictures, had it printed and the house kits shipped within two weeks. By April of that year, they had an extensive line of moldings and trims along with a printed catalog of their products.
… In the last four years the Hills have seen another change to their business, for as quickly as the miniatures had taken over the gift store, their manufacturing had now out-grown the miniature shop. So much so, that as of January 1st of this year [1982] the Wood Shop closed its doors to the miniature shop for the last time and they are now concentrating their complete effort towards the manufacturing of quality miniature products.
Sadly the lifespan of the Visalian dollhouse was much shorter than that of the real house. It was listed in the 4th Edition of the Miniatures Catalog (published in 1981) with a suggested retail price of $325 for the kit or $500 for the assembled shell. By 1983 the prices had increased to $379 / $540, and by 1985 the Visalian had disappeared from the catalog.
Quarter Scale Version
Debbie Young was working at a miniature shop in San Jose, CA when the Visalian was available from One of a Kind. “The Visalian is my very favorite one inch scale house ever,” she told me in an email. “I was young and didn’t have any money, but I certainly lusted after it. Years later, I was teaching a class at the miniature store in Visalia and several of the women taking the class expressed an interest in having me do a 1/4″ Visalian.” [Note: The class took place at Judy Lewin’s shop, Mill Creek Miniatures, before she relocated to Illinois.]
Debbie got permission from the Hills to produce a quarter scale Visalian kit. This, too, is no longer in production.
Two quarter scale Visalians finished by Judy Lewin
Another tidbit from Debbie: “I still love that house. I just came across one at an estate sale. Because it was in 1/4″ scale, I thought it was my kit, but it wasn’t until I got it home that I realized the owner had started building a 1/4″ version from the instructions of the 1″ house. It was almost identical to the one I did.”
The Seaside Villa
The dollhouse I’m working on is not a Visalian, but a Seaside Villa produced by Rocky Mountain Woodcrafts. I don’t know what year this became available but presumably it was sometime after the Visalian was discontinued in the mid-1980s. Norm’s Dollhouse, the Colorado store responsible for the Rocky Mountain Woodcrafts line, closed in 2017, and as of this year the Seaside Villa is no longer in production.
Though the houses have the same basic footprint, the Seaside Villa has a taller tower roof, gable windows, no peaked roof over the upper porch, and no bay windows.
1:12 scale Seaside Villa finished by Judy Lewin
My half scale version has a shorter tower roof (more like the Visalian’s) and full-sized windows in the gables and tower. According to David Nielsen of Rocky Mountain Woodcrafts, the 1:12 Seaside Villa was a big seller but only a handful were made in half scale.
If anyone reading this has a Visalian or Seaside Villa, I’d love to see pictures! Please leave a comment below or contact me by email. You can follow my progress on my half scale Seaside Villa here.
Emily is a freelance writer, miniaturist, and adventure game enthusiast.
I really enjoyed reading the history of this dollhouse. It is such a shame that the original burned.
Emily – how does the size of the Seaside Villa compare to Greenleaf’s Fairfield?
The layout is similar but the Seaside is a bigger house. I’ll take a picture of them side by side when I have a chance. (Fairfield’s in the house, Seaside’s in the garage, and it’s raining right now…)
I just wondered, the seaside seems so huge to me.
Sorry these pics aren’t the best, my workshop’s getting renovated right now so the dollhouses are all over the house! But here it is next to the Fairfield and the Victorianna, it’s taller than both of them. (The Fairfield is slightly taller in this picture, but that’s including the base which adds a few inches to the height.) The Seaside Villa has 5″ ceilings and the Fairfield (and Victorianna) have closer to 4.75″ on the first floor and 4″ on the second floor.
They look so nice together. The size difference isn’t as much as I thought it would be. I really thought the Seaside would look huge, but it looks in scale with the others. Nice collection, Emily – thanks for taking the pictures.
I love this house as well. I am so happy to see a color picture of the original. I can’t wait to see what you do with the Seaside villa.
I clearly remember having seen the photo of the Visalian on the cover of the Miniature Gazette, from back in the day, but never equated yours with it. How marvellous that it is based upon a real home and that you were contacted by Judy Lewin who was able to fill you in on its history! The world which we inhabit, is small in more ways than one! :D
This is such an informative post. I have the 1:12 Visalian dollhouse.
I am doing something a little different with mine however as I am turning it into a partial tree house.
Now that I have seen photographs of the actual original home, I want to add the back part of the house with all the porches as well.
Great post!
I’d love to see pics of your Visalian! Do you have any posted online?
Oh never mind, I found them on your blog. What you’re doing is so interesting! I’ll take some time to read through the posts.
Thanks for the bit of history on the house! I have been reading your blog on the updates on the bash and am loving it. I was glad I had the Miniature Gazette you needed for the picture of the Visalian.
Yes, thank you for scanning it! It helped me fill in some blanks.
The history of the Visilain is so interesting and adds value and interest to your own house. With your talent, knowledge, and imagination, you will build an amazing house.
This is a little unreal for me. I just attended the Dallas Miniature Show and got all inspired to start up with my dollhouse project that’s been sitting in the garage for over a year: the Seaside Villa! I first spotted it as a completed kit at Larianne’s Small Wonders in Ventura, CA. After obsessing for several months, I found a 1:12 kit at Manhattan Dollhouse. Once I got it home and looked at the plans, I decided that I’d like to move some walls and add a wrap around porch – which would have to be detachable to move through doorways. That’s what stalled my building. It became a much bigger project! Your original pictures have certainly inspired me even further. I love the original back of the house and might try incorporating some of that. Like Sam, I’m planning on doing a different take on a traditional house. I’m going to build it as a 19th century San Francisco Victorian renovated by a 21st century modern couple. So install traditional moldings, doors, floors, panelling and other hardwood… but then move the walls for an open concept floor plan, add a modern kitchen/bathrooms. Furnish with a modern flair. I think it will be fun to leave evidence of the previous walls so that as you “read” the house you see where the original walls were. That’s the plan any way. Like I said, it’s sitting in a box in my garage right now. I’m looking VERY forward to reading your posts and if I decide to post my work, I’ll be sure to let you know! It would be so much fun comparing progress!
Sounds fun! I hope to see pictures of it as you work on it.
Something I’ve noticed going to open houses of renovated Victorians is that you can tell from the hardwood floors where the walls used to be. The floors typically have a few rows of hardwood that go around the room like a border (mitered where they meet at the corners), before switching to run all one direction. So when walls are removed, the floors still have that border.
I look at Redfin a lot to see pictures of the insides of houses. If you look for Victorians for sale you might get other ideas.
I found mine on marketplace. I thought it was a seaside villa at first, but now I believe it may be the Visalian. I am in love with this house!!
I’d love to see a picture!
Here is mine. I haven’t done much with it since I purchased it. Trying to decide on a new paint job as it clashes with my living room now.
I don’t see the picture but I’ll send you an email.
I have a Visalian that I bought from an original owner. It came with the directions, catalog, and he bought every possible accessory kit from Mr. Hill and saved all the correspondence. The owner loving built the house over a two year period. The hallway upstairs has amazing details. I also have an original chandelier.
Kellye, San Francisco
Kellye, that’s awesome! I would love to see pictures.
I just realized the very large dollhouse I’ve been trying to sell is, apparently, called the Visalian. It is completely furnished with items of varying quality and I love it, but will be moving soon and must sell. Any advise you might have as to value or best place to advertise would be greatly appreciated.
The Greenleaf forum has a trading section where you can post about it: https://forum.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/49-community-trading-post/
Make sure to read the guidelines at the top of the forum before you post. They don’t want prices to be posted there (you can discuss price in private messages with anyone who’s interested).
I have a partially completed Visalian dollhouse. With 3 boxes of building supplies for it I have no instructions. I bought it from a guy on facebook as a project for my youngest daughter and I do finish but I do not have the space or time now.
I received the Sea Side Villa for Christmas in the late 90s when I was 11 or so. We built it but never finished it. Twenty years later I’m taking it on as a project to finish for my daughter to enjoy.
My instruction booklet says that my house is called the Sea Side Villa and the date of manufacture is 05/97. However, it looks like the Visalia. It has bay windows on the bottom and no third story window.
Right now I’m still painting all the small pieces for the outside before moving into the inside. Looking forward to diving into the work you’ve done on yours!
I think the Sea Side Villa houses were somewhat customized depending on what the customer wanted. I’ve seen some with the tall tower roof and some with the short tower roof, and the windows are slightly different as well. In the Visalian the tower isn’t accessible from the third story and in the Sea Side Villa it is — this might be a more foolproof way to tell which house is which.
I hope you enjoy working on it! I haven’t touched mine in a couple of years, I should get back to it…
Hi everybody!! I’m late to this party, but I only recently learned about the Visalian, and I’m looking to buy one, either a kit or built or whatever!!
If any if you have one, please let me know!!
Thanks!!!
Good luck! You could try posting on Greenleaf’s Community Trading Post that you’re looking for one: https://forum.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/49-community-trading-post/
Hi Emily, I hope you receive this email in time….I see the Visalia House is for sale on Facebook Market Place. (already put together and fully furnished). Not sure if you are only looking for a kit or the house itself…..I had the opportunity to buy the kit early in the 2000 from the retired owner of the Visalia Miniature store. I can’t tell you how many times I have kicked myself for not buying it at the time…..one of life’s regrets. My Great Great Grandfather was Henry Hill Jobe, he was married for a time to Effie Hillard Strobridge. My deceased Uncle used to visit them, he told me stories of his Great Grandfather and Effie. Once Effie joked she had cleaned her stalls in the morning and had tea in the afternoon with the Queen of England. Effie could be very Elegant but had no qualms about pitching in to get things done on the ranch. The house is for sale in southern Ca. pick-up only. I would have purchased the house myself but I am on a limited retierment income…..so I have to pass….it would be nice to know that the buyer is someone who appreciates the beauty of the house and it’s history. I hope this works out for you. Belinda
Hi Belinda, thanks for thinking of me! I have a Seaside Villa in 1:24 scale already, so I’m not in the market for a Visalian, but I do love to see pictures of it. (That being said, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the quarter scale version…) It’s so interesting that you’re related to the family!
I’ve seen that Visalian on Facebook Marketplace — the seller actually emailed me a few months back when she first listed it. It’s not shown in the pictures on Facebook, but my favorite thing about it is that there’s a little picture of the Visalian on the wall in one of the bedrooms. It’s also listed on eBay and you can see it in one of the photos there: https://www.ebay.com/itm/375496118664
My dollhouse is featured in this article. It’s the second to last photo of the green Seaside Villa with the white and purple trim. Judy built it for my sister and I after our mom passed away. We wanted a two-sided house where we could both sit and play with it. We’re in our 60s! As kids we had Liddle Kiddles for our dolls so we’re recreating that magic. We adore this house and are grateful Judy recommended it.