[00:00.00]In 1947, due to his poor health,
[00:04.48]he was forced to move
[00:06.45]permanently to Beverly Hills.
[00:08.96]Marion looked after him
[00:11.48]during this time,
[00:12.79]seldom leaving his side.
[00:14.11]When he died in 1951
[00:16.62] at the age of 88,
[00:18.92]she was shunned by his family
[00:21.99]and forbidden to attend his funeral.
[00:24.61]The castle, its furnishings,
[00:27.57]the artworks in the gallery,
[00:29.75]and 127 acres of land
[00:33.14]were given to the state
[00:34.78]of California in 1957.
[00:37.74]Since that time, the California Department
[00:41.79] of Parks and Recreation has
[00:43.54]kept the castle open to tourists.
[00:45.84]Today a visit to the estate begins
[00:49.99]near the site of the old airstrip.
[00:53.28]Guests are transported to
[00:55.47]the top of the hill via bus.
[00:57.10]One can still see the signs
[01:00.17]giving wandering animals
[01:01.92]the “right of way” on the lanes.
[01:04.98]Deer, cattle, and sheep often halt
[01:08.04]the buses’ progress up or down
[01:10.23]the mountain as they meander
[01:12.53] to the salt licks.
[01:14.83]Depending on the tour one chooses,
[01:17.46]guides escort the public
[01:19.75]through a variety of rooms,
[01:21.50]gardens, cottages, and pools.
[01:24.23]The luxury of a bygone era
[01:27.85]is evident at every turn.
[01:29.38]From the moment you arrive
[01:32.66]at the stairway to the Neptune Pool
[01:34.85]until you bid farewell to your guides
[01:37.36]at the magnificent, guides
[01:39.44]at the magnificent, golden
[01:42.02]and blue Roman Pool,
[01:43.89]you are reminded that
[01:45.09]a man had a dream.
[01:46.80]He had power and influence.
[01:52.10]Furthermore, he was prosperous enough
[01:53.20]to achieve his objectives
[01:54.50]and implement his dream |