Morrill-Hearst Residence (aka George R. Hearst, Sr. Residence) 701 West Panorama Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Featured in a glowing nine-page article in the Spring 1963 issue of Architectural Digest, the Morrill-Hearst Residence is a rare “Roman-inspired” villa by architectural designer James H. McNaughton. An accomplished pioneering set designer for early television, McNaughton knew how to create impressive visual features and how to do so on a budget. The Roman columns seen throughout the property are discarded Los Angeles city streetlamps that McNaughton purchased from a salvage yard. The house was built in 1962 for Harry R. (Rufus) and Willa Pearl Morrill and was purchased by George Randolph Hearst, Sr. and his wife Rosalie in March of 1964. The land was originally owned by famed film star Adolph Menjou who had wanted to build a grand desert home for himself and his wife, actress Veree Teesdale (those plans ultimately fell through).
In May of 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Harry R. Morrill-George Randolph Hearst, Sr. Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.
