Updated: September 27, 2006
he recognition of the Mission Inn as a National Historic Landmark, a California State Historic Landmark, and a City of Riverside Cultural Landmark reinforced the need to preserve this unique building. In 1985, the hotel was closed for a major renovation and preservation effort. Careful attention to detail was essential in order to maintain the historic and architectural integrity of the landmark site. Preservation architect Bruce Judd of the Architectural Resources Group (personal communication, July 14, 2004) recalled,
We did an extensive amount of structural work on the foundations and
the amount generally reflected the original construction and date of
construction. The Rotunda wing needed the least work, followed by
the Spanish and then Cloisters. The Mission wings required the most
work as the foundations were almost entirely brick with soft mortar
holding it together. . . Heavy steel was also used in the museum area
where there was lots of deterioration.
Updating electrical and plumbing systems, installing air conditioning, fire sprinklers, structural and seismic reinforcement, and other life and safety elements required the ingenuity of the preservation architects, engineers, and contractors.
There were more challenges. The entire hotel was covered with multicolored tarps in order to fumigate for termites and other insects. The arches along Mission Inn Avenue (once 7 th Street) were demolished and replaced with exact replicas. Access for those with disabilities had to be provided. The hallways in the original Mission wing, opened in 1903, had been designed to accommodate the large trunks that guests would bring with them for extended stays at the hotel. The additional width was helpful in providing access to those in the disabled community. After years of renovation and restoration, the Mission Inn finally reopened to great fanfare in 1992. |
