About San Clemente: History

Ole Hanson founded San Clemente in 1925. With the financial help of a syndicate headed by Hamilton Cotton, Ole Hanson purchased and planned a 2,000 acre community that would embody a Spanish Colonial style with white stucco buildings topped by red tile roofs. He named San Clemente after San Clemente Island – the southernmost of the Channel Islands.  Hanson successfully promoted and sold property to investors who shared his dream of a coastal resort town away from the big city. He built public structures such as the Beach Club, the Community Center, the pier and San Clemente Plaza, now known as Max Berg Plaza Park, all of which were later donated to the city. San Clemente was incorporated as a City on February 27, 1928.  In 1969, President Nixon purchased part of the H. H. Cotton estate, one of the original homes built by one of Hanson’s partners. Nixon called it “La Casa Pacifica” and it was later dubbed the “Western White House.” After he resigned as President of the United States, Nixon retired to San Clemente. In 1980, he sold “La Casa Pacifica” and moved to New York City. His former home is still famously known amongst San Clemente residents.  In December 2009, the city of San Clemente passed a “Historical Property Preservation Agreement” to restore, improve, and preserve this historical building.