Modjeska House
Historic house in California. Built 1888 by Stanford White. Added to the National Register in 1972, and a National Historic Landmark.
What it is
Arden, also known as The Modjeska House, is a historic home designed by Stanford White in Modjeska Canyon, California. It is significant for being the only surviving home of Helena Modjeska, a Shakespearean actress and Polish patriot. The property is located in a live oak grove on the banks of Santiago Creek in Modjeska Canyon, California.
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
| Property type | Building |
| Address | Modjeska Canyon Rd., Modjeska, CA |
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | Dec 11, 1972 |
| Listed for | Entertainment and recreation, Architecture, Performing arts, European heritage |
| Level of significance | National |
| Also known as | Forest of Arden |
| Reference number | 72000244 |
| Built | 1888 · more from the 1880s |
| Architect | Stanford White |
| Type of place | single-family detached home |
| Style | Queen Anne style architecture in the United States |
| Designations | National Historic Landmark |
| Contributing resources | 4 buildings, 2 structures |
| Standing | Yes |
The nomination form, the document that argues why this place matters, is in the National Archives: Read the nomination ↗
Visiting
| Address | Modjeska Canyon Rd., Modjeska, CA |
| Coordinates | 33.7086° N, 117.6243° W · Directions ↗ |
| Nearest national park unit | Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail · 26 miles · on Park Atlas |
| Federal campgrounds nearby | Falcon Group 10 miles · Wildomar Campground 18 miles · Applewhite Campground 39 miles |
Explore
Drawings & photographs
Measured drawings and photographs from the Library of Congress. Public domain. All 1 record ↗
Map
Nearby in Orange County
Local history books for Orange County
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Guidebooks to historic places in California
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
When was Modjeska House listed on the National Register?
Dec 11, 1972. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.
Source: National Park Service
When was Modjeska House built?
1888, designed by Stanford White, in the Queen Anne style architecture in the United States style.
Source: Wikidata
Can I visit Modjeska House?
No public access is recorded. A National Register listing recognizes a place; it does not open it to visitors.
Source: National Park Service
Where is Modjeska House?
Modjeska Canyon Rd., Modjeska, Orange County, California. The nearest national park unit is Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, 26 miles away.
What does the Modjeska House listing include?
The listing counts 6 contributing resources. Those are 4 buildings and 2 structures. A contributing resource is a part of the listed property that carries its historic significance.
Source: National Park Service
Are there historic photographs or drawings of Modjeska House?
Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.
Source: Library of Congress
Where is the nomination form for Modjeska House?
The National Archives holds the nomination form, the document that made the case for listing.
Source: National Archives
Are there campgrounds near Modjeska House?
Three federal campgrounds are within reach. The closest is Falcon Group, 10 miles away. Wildomar Campground is 18 miles away, and Applewhite Campground is 39 miles away.
Source: Campsite Atlas
Is there cell service at Modjeska House?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Is there a wildfire near Modjeska House right now?
2 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-10-17, nearest Norte, 16 miles away.
Source: Map
Sources
Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 72000244. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The description under "What it is" is the opening of the Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.