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The Old Riverside Foundation
The Peter J. Weber House -- Circa. 1932-1938
1510 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92502
Peter J. Weber was chief designer for the
architectural firm of G. Stanley Wilson. Ma. Weber applied his
talents to the International rotunda at the Mission Inn, Redlands
Post Office, and many other Wilson projects.
After a visit to North Africa, Weber began
building his own house. Influenced by his travels, the Weber
house is a unique blend of Moorish, Craftsman, Art Nouveau, and
Art Deco styles.
Notable not only for its unique design, the
Weber house features extraordinary handcrafted design details.
Extensive interior woodwork is hand-carved and/or decoratively
painted. Most ceilings are of pine planks, some carved and painted.
All hinges are of wrought-iron and all doors and cabinets have
decorative nail heads.
Ma. Weber installed a still operating solar
water heater in 1935 with collector panels made of automobile
windshields. All of the exterior brick was used and the broken
tile which makes up the incredible bathroom mosaic was also recycled.
Exterior woodwork was oiled and stained with used crankcase oil.
Basement areas help to keep the house cool in the summer.
An early tower which would have unified the
bedroom and bathroom with the living room, kitchen, and garage
was designed but never built.
The nine acres of orange groves which originally
surrounded the Weber house are now home to two modern hotels.
Owners of the (then) Days Inn Hotel began a restoration of the
house which is now being completed by the Old Riverside Foundation.
The Weber house is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places and is recognized locally as City
Landmark #52.