In Monrovia, California, a significant historic preservation project reached completion this summer with the opening of the Arthur Blair Historic Inn, a restored Victorian-era complex that offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s 19th-century heritage. The project was led by preservationists Joshua Cain and André Reyes, who acquired the property in 2022 following the death of Steve Baker, a longtime local historian and previous owner known for his extensive collection of antique artifacts.
The inn occupies two adjoining homes on South Ivy Avenue: the Arthur House, a red and white Victorian farmhouse originally purchased in 1888 by Baker’s great-grandfather Bradford Arthur, and the neighboring Blair House, an ornate Eastlake Queen Anne Victorian designed by architect Luther Reed Blair and completed the same year. Together, these buildings comprise 11 guest rooms along with common spaces designed to evoke the historic charm of the era.
Cain and Reyes, joined by business partner Jeff Godbold and design assistant Jorge Ochoa, undertook a three-year restoration effort aimed at preserving the homes’ architectural integrity while incorporating modern amenities such as air conditioning and electricity. The restoration included repairing structural damage—most notably a roof riddled with holes that Baker had patched with buckets—and careful refurbishment of original features including the Arthur House’s timber framing, Italianate cast-iron mantelpiece, and meticulously crafted redwood millwork.
The team also reinstated previously removed elements, such as original roofing, porches, and period light switches, and sourced salvage materials from Baker’s collection to maintain historical accuracy. A notable challenge arose with the Blair House’s missing front porch spindles, which required locating an original spindle to replicate the detailed design and restore the porch authentically.
Guests of the Arthur Blair Historic Inn can experience a stay without televisions or typical corporate hotel fixtures, an intentional choice by Cain and Reyes to create an immersive environment reminiscent of 1880s Monrovia. The inn offers shared spaces stocked with Victorian-era books and traditional board games, as well as robin’s egg-blue bicycles for exploring the local neighborhood. The inn’s gardens feature yellow and red roses that complement the homes’ exteriors, while a secluded cocktail pool with natural limestone borders adds a modern touch discreetly integrated into the historic setting.
Plans are underway to expand the inn’s amenities with the opening of Viola’s Bar and Bistro, named after Baker’s grandmother. The restaurant will serve French cuisine with Southern influences, presented on vintage servingware collected by Baker. Public access is already available to the Arthur House’s parlor, where a restored pump organ invites guests to engage with the space’s historic character.
The interior furnishings reflect period styles with significant effort made to retain and restore original wallpapers and textiles. The Blair House parlors feature restored 1880s mahogany furniture and a circa 1874 Haine Brothers rosewood piano, underscoring the commitment to historical authenticity.
Cain and Reyes also co-own the JD Hyde Historic Inn in Visalia, California, and envision forming a national network of inns that emphasize historic preservation and local cultural experiences. Their work on the Arthur Blair Historic Inn aims not only to restore a significant piece of Monrovia’s architectural heritage but also to offer guests an opportunity to connect deeply with the city’s history and community.
“We are preserving and restoring the past for future generations to see what happened in 1887 in Monrovia—and how and why,” Reyes said, underscoring the project’s dedication to historic preservation rather than mere renovation. With its blend of careful restoration and thoughtful hospitality, the Arthur Blair Historic Inn serves as a distinctive destination for travelers seeking an authentic historical experience.