History Lesson 7- Most know but for those who don’t, you heard it here first. Within the gates of Cyprus Shores and Cottons Point sits La Casa Pacifica or perhaps more famously known as the Western White House previous home to the Richard Nixon family.
Backstory-Two months after taking office, President Nixon and the first family were looking for a spot in California to use as a Western White House. Fred Divel, grandson of Roy Divel, who was one of the first residents, had been a volunteer in Nixon’s presidential campaign in San Clemente and suggested the H. H. Cotton estate. Fred Divel sent photographs of the estate to Nixon’s advisorJohn Erlichman. Within a few months, the Nixons purchased the home from Hamilton Cotton’s widow as their private residence and called it La Casa Pacifica.
The home served as a place to entertain high profile celebrities and politicians. After the Watergate Scandal and following the president’s resignation/impeachment, both he and his wife retired to the San Clemente estate, where Nixon composed his memoirs. During those years many in the local community still displayed their loyalty to the embattled former president despite the public embarrassment of the collapse of his political career.
In the late 1980s the Nixon family sold the home and moved to New Jersey. The home was purchased by Gavin Herbert who owns it to this day. He’s attempted to sell the estate multiple times. Most recent listing was in 2021 for $65mm.
