Built in the 1890s Masson House stands proudly. It’s the last remaining homestead home in Calabasas. This unassuming one-story structure holds a rich history. It was once part of a vast 160-acre homestead. The land itself played a significant role. It lay along Topanga Canyon Road. This road was a vital trade route. It connected the inland communities to the Santa Monica Bay.
William C Masson received a land patent. This was under the Homestead Act of 1904. Records show him as a farmer. He’s listed in the 1900 census. A few years later the Tucker family acquired the property. George and Jessie Tucker made the move to California from England in 1905. They left behind their Los Angeles home for the Calabasas homestead.
The Tucker family’s time at Masson House involved significant changes. Around 1924 they sold around 80 acres to the Forbes family for a mere $10. The house itself saw expansions during this time. Two new bedrooms were added. Two bathrooms a kitchen and living room were included. A cellar was added. Incredibly oak tree trunks support the home’s floors.
The Forbes family held the Masson House until 1958. Then it passed to the Carlson family. A Carlson granddaughter inherited it in 1992. She put it up for sale in 2002. The Mountains Restoration Trust MRT stepped in. They purchased the Masson House and surrounding land for $750000. They used grant money and their own funds. They secured conservation easements. This action prevented further development of the land.
Today Masson House serves a new purpose. It functions as an interpretive center. It hosts cultural and environmental educational programs. The MRT cleaned up the property. They hauled away tons of trash. Masson House is much more than a house. It’s a living piece of Calabasas history. It’s a testament to the community’s commitment to preservation. It stands as a symbol of the past. It’s also a place of learning for the future.