Barton Villa
Also known as: Barton Housr; Barton Ranch
Why it's listed
Barton Villa is a three-story brick house on Nevada Street in Redlands, California, built in 1866-67 as a simple vernacular building and the first fired brick structure in what is now Redlands. It was remodeled around 1871 in Greek Revival style and again in 1883, when it received a mansard roof and pedimented dormers, making it the city's only remaining Second Empire residence. A small brick outbuilding that likely served as a kitchen and ranch office also survives. The house was the home of Dr. Ben Barton, a physician and early settler who bought land from departing Mormon leaders in 1858 and built a ranch that once covered 1,920 acres. He and his family lived there until 1887, when the ranch was sold and subdivided. The property is recognized as the oldest house in Redlands and a local landmark tied to Barton's role in the area's settlement. The city now owns it and plans a museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the villa is significant under Criterion B for its association with Dr. Ben Barton, one of the earliest settlers and largest landowners in the area that became Redlands. He and his family lived there from 1867 to 1887. It is the oldest house in the city and a long-recognized local landmark, and it was the first fired brick building in what is now Redlands.
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 96001176, listed October 24, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 11245 Nevada St., Redlands |
|---|---|
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Listed | October 24, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001176 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1867-1887 |
| Architect / builder | Architect/Builder unknown |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant and not in use after purchase by the City of Redlands; in fair condition, with restoration planned for a living history museum. |
| Acreage | 2.4 |
| Coordinates | 34.04951, -117.21692 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 96001176.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14681582
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.