Forster, Frank A., House
Why it's listed
Completed in 1910 on a tree-shaded knoll along Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano, this two-story house with a full basement was designed by architects Robert F. Train and Robert E. Williams for rancher Frank A. Forster. Its Mission Revival design drew inspiration from the nearby historic Mission. Features include an Espadana roof shape with original mission tile, a six-arch porch, a pergola with Tuscan columns and heavy textured stucco. The basement and first floor are reinforced concrete, a relatively new material at the time, while the second floor is wood frame with plaster. Inside are beam ceilings, a fireplace of rounded beach rocks, fir woodwork and original hardware. The house is described as the last major residence of its style in the city. It also represents the Forster family, prominent ranchers and landowners in Orange County. After decades of neglect following 1950, it was restored closely to its original design and now serves as an interior design showroom.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the last major residence in Mission Revival style remaining in San Juan Capistrano and an exceptionally fine, relatively unaltered example of the style. It also notes the architects' use of reinforced concrete, then a relatively new material, and its link to the prominent Forster ranching family.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86002405, listed September 11, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 27182 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | September 11, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002405 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Train & Williams (Robert Farquar Train and Robert Edmund Williams) |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and recently restored; used as an interior designer's showroom/studio after years of neglect following 1950. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 33.50266, -117.65621 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86002405.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q43401331
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.