Phillips Mansion is an 1875 French Second Empire residence located at 2640 Pomona Boulevard in the historic Spadra district of western Pomona, California. Built by cattle baron and early California pioneer Louis Phillips, it was the first fired-brick mansion constructed in the Pomona Valley and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as designated California Historical Landmark No. 929. Owned and preserved by the Historical Society of Pomona Valley, the landmark attracts architectural historians, pioneer history enthusiasts, and attendees of seasonal community open houses and special heritage events.
What to Expect at Phillips Mansion
Completed in 1875 by master builder E.G. Brown, the two-story brick residence with a prominent mansard roof cost approximately $20,000 at the time of construction. Louis Phillips and his wife Esther Blake Phillips used the estate as the headquarters of Rancho San Jose, which encompassed more than 12,000 acres dedicated to cattle, sheep ranching, and wheat farming alongside the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. Brick for the sixteen-inch-thick walls was fired on site, while heavy redwood interior trim, marble fireplaces, and etched glass transoms were hauled overland by wagon from Los Angeles and San Pedro Harbor. A curved twin staircase leads to the double wooden front doors, opening into a central hall flanked by formal parlors with fourteen-foot ceilings, tall arched windows, and period Victorian woodwork.
After structural damage from the 1990 Upland earthquake and the 1991 Sierra Madre earthquake, the mansion underwent extensive masonry stabilization and exterior restoration led by the Historical Society of Pomona Valley. Because interior seismic retrofitting and preservation work continue in phases, daily drop-in interior tours are not offered; however, visitors can view the exterior brickwork, wrought-iron cresting, and grounds from the perimeter fence, or attend scheduled open houses, autumn haunted history tours, and living history events hosted on the property. Directly adjacent to the mansion grounds sits the Rubel Foursquare House and historic Spadra ranch structures, forming a concentrated pocket of nineteenth-century Pomona Valley heritage.
- Second Empire Mansard Roof & Dormers: The steeply pitched wood-shingle mansard third story features hooded dormer windows and ornate decorative brackets rarely surviving in nineteenth-century Southern California architecture.
- Locally Fired Brick Masonry: Constructing the 16-inch exterior walls required clays dug and baked in kilns directly on the Spadra ranch property in 1875, making it the first brick home in the valley.
- Grand Double Entry Staircase: Curved masonry steps ascend to a raised covered portico with double carved doors and original etched-glass transoms overlooking the former Stagecoach Trail.
- Spadra Townsite Heritage: The grounds mark the center of historic Spadra, an 1860s and 1870s stagecoach stop and Southern Pacific rail terminus that preceded the incorporation of Pomona.
- Seasonal Open Houses & Haunted History Events: The Historical Society of Pomona Valley activates the grounds during October Halloween programming and periodic heritage festivals featuring docent interpretation and nineteenth-century artifacts.
Phillips Mansion at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2640 Pomona Blvd, Pomona, CA 91768 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Historic Spadra District (West Pomona) |
| Operating Hours | Exterior viewing daily during daylight hours; interior and grounds open only during scheduled Historical Society events |
| Admission / Price Range | Free exterior roadside viewing; special event tickets typically $5–$20 |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 20 to 30 minutes for exterior photography; 1 to 1.5 hours during scheduled events |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Foothill Transit Line 195 along Pomona Blvd; Pomona Downtown Metrolink Station (2.5 miles east); free on-site parking during open events |
| Official Website & Phone | pomonahistorical.org | +1 909-623-2198 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Before driving out to Spadra, check the calendar or call the Historical Society of Pomona Valley at +1 909-623-2198 to confirm whether a weekend docent day or seasonal event is scheduled. If visiting on a non-event day, morning hours between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM provide the cleanest eastward light on the front facade and double staircase without harsh midday shadows. Drivers can reach the site easily via the Pomona Freeway (SR-60) or Interstate 10 via the Kellogg Drive/Cal Poly Pomona exit, heading east onto Pomona Boulevard. Foothill Transit bus route 195 stops along Pomona Boulevard within a short walk of the property.
During open-gate events, the surrounding flat gravel and dirt grounds are navigable for wheelchairs and strollers, though the historic 1875 masonry front steps prevent step-free access to the raised first-floor parlor level. Pair a stop at Phillips Mansion with a ten-minute drive northeast to the Historical Society’s sister properties—the 1837 Adobe de Palomares at 491 East Arrow Highway or the 1854 La Casa Primera de Rancho San Jose at 1569 North Park Avenue—which maintain regular Sunday afternoon visiting hours. One mile west along Pomona Boulevard, the historic Spadra Cemetery offers guided tours on select dates where members of the Phillips and Rubel families are buried, and the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal Poly Pomona lies five minutes northwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go inside Phillips Mansion on regular weekdays?
No, the interior of Phillips Mansion remains closed for daily walk-in tours due to ongoing interior restoration following earthquake damage in 1990 and 1991. Visitors can photograph the restored Second Empire exterior from the perimeter at any time during daylight hours or attend scheduled open houses and seasonal events hosted on the grounds.
How much does admission to Phillips Mansion cost?
Viewing and photographing the mansion exterior from the street is completely free year-round. When the Historical Society of Pomona Valley opens the gates for heritage days, fundraisers, or October haunted tours, ticket prices or suggested donations typically range from $5 to $20 per person.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
If you are stopping by outside of scheduled event dates to view the Second Empire brick architecture and read the historical markers, plan on 20 to 30 minutes. During an open-grounds event or guided heritage festival, budget 1 to 1.5 hours to explore the displays and adjacent ranch structures.
Is Phillips Mansion accessible for wheelchairs and families?
The exterior yard and flat dirt driveway areas are level and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers when the property gates are open for public events. However, the 1875 elevated first floor is reached only via a steep curved brick staircase and does not have a wheelchair lift.
When planning your Pomona travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Pomona, pair this stop with standout local spots including Bluefin Pomona, Ardaya's restaurant, Barbara Greenwood Kindergarten, and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pomona (1.3 km away).
