The estate now known as Kimbelry Crest was originally the home of Mrs. Cornelia Hill who commissioned architects Dennis & Farwell to build her a 7,000 square foot 22 Bedroom Chateauesque estate in 1896.  In 1905 she sold the home to the Kimberly family, known for selling dry goods and paper products.  Mrs. Kimbelry hired her son-in-law (who had worked on such notable projects as the US Pentagon) to create the formal Italian gardens.  And It was the gardens and hardscape that were added in 1908 that make this property truly exceptional.  

The property stayed in the Kimberly family until 1979 at which time it was put in the care of the nonprofit Kimberly-Shirk Association and now serves as a museum and education center showing life during the Gilded Age of Southern California.  It is a National Historic Landmark.