Redlands' oldest house — built 1866 by Dr. Ben Barton — and the most actively reported paranormal location in the Inland Empire
11245 Nevada St, Redlands, CA 92373
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Private property; exterior viewable from the street. No public interior access confirmed.
Access
Limited Access
Residential street; exterior view only from public right-of-way.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1866 · Oldest Surviving House in Redlands · First Fired-Brick House in Redlands · National Register of Historic Places (1996)
Dr. Benjamin Barton arrived in the San Bernardino Valley in the 1850s, acquiring 640 acres of land in 1859. He practiced medicine in the area before retiring from active practice in 1866, at which point he began construction of what would become Barton Villa. The original structure, built 1866–67 in vernacular style, was expanded and renovated in 1871–72 in Greek Revival style, then renovated again in 1893 into the Second Empire style visible today — the only Second Empire house in Redlands when it was placed on the National Register.
The house stands as the oldest surviving residence in Redlands and was the first fired-brick structure built in the city. The bricks were produced locally, a significant construction choice at a time when most buildings used adobe or wood. The 2.4-acre property includes the main house and a secondary contributing structure.
The Redlands Area Historical Society has recognized Barton Villa as a major landmark, and the National Register listing (Reference No. 96001176, October 24, 1996) affirmed its architectural and historical significance as representative of both Dr. Barton's prominence and the region's transition from ranchland to settled agricultural community in the post-Gold Rush decades.
The property has remained in private ownership. Its physical condition has fluctuated over the decades, and the combination of abandonment periods, its imposing Victorian silhouette, and its isolation from central Redlands contributed to its paranormal reputation.
Sources
Barton Villa has accumulated a dense local paranormal record over several decades. The most frequently cited piece of evidence is a video recorded by a group of investigators in the early 2000s, when the mansion was abandoned. The footage purports to show a dark figure emerging from a doorway — whether it depicts a ghost, a person, or a lighting artifact has been debated since it circulated online, but it has been a reference point in regional paranormal discussions ever since.
Reported phenomena at the site include disembodied footsteps (the most common account), shadow figures observed in and around the structure, unexplained voices, and an overwhelming sensation of being watched. A Redlands Community News feature collecting local ghost stories cited Barton Villa as one of the most consistently reported paranormal locations in the area. Investigators and hobbyists have described seeing what is characterized in some accounts as a demonic face.
The California Haunted Houses registry classifies Barton Villa as 'one of the most active paranormal locations in all of California.' For decades the mansion also carried a rumor of having been used by occultists, though this claim is part of the oral tradition rather than documented record. There is no verified attribution to any specific person for the reported paranormal activity.
Media Appearances
Barton Villa stands at 11245 Nevada St in Redlands — the oldest surviving house in the city and the first fired-brick structure built there. The Second Empire mansion is viewable from the street. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1996) and is recognized locally as a dark tourism destination for paranormal investigators.
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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