Five Crowns

Perhaps the most iconic building in Corona del Mar is the tutor-style Five Crowns. Built in 1936 and modeled after a guest house in England, the building is also one of the oldest in Corona del Mar. Originally named The Hurley Bell, it was the inspiration of Matilda MacCulloch, an American woman who lived in England for many years. After the death of her son in World War I she returned to the United States, settling on Balboa Island. Some years later in 1935, while visiting England she chanced upon Ye Olde Bell an inn at Hurley-on-Thames and became enamored with the building. Armed with photographs of Ye Old Bell, MacCulloch hired Shelby Coon, an architect, to replicate the building in 1936. MacCulloch’s original plan was to open a restaurant, but she chose to use the building as her home. In 1940 she decided to lease her English inn to two prominent restaurateurs, who owned the Tail O’ The Cock in Hollywood. Thus for a short time the English inn was also The Tail O’ The Cock. Yet, it was not successful, so in 1943 Mrs. MacCulloch took control, renaming it The Hurley Bell, and operating it until her death in 1948. When the property was acquired by Lawry’s Restaurants in 1965 the name was changed to Five Crowns.

Be sure to watch the video by William Lobdell.