Hilltop House is located in California Hot Springs, a foothill community on the southern edge of the Sequoia National Monument, just east of the southern San Joaquin Valley in California.  My parents purchased this 6,000 square foot Craftsman-style house for religious retreats in 1982, when I was 13 years old.  They showed the house to my sister and me the day escrow closed.  We both cried.  We did not realize the house had a pedigree – it was designed by San Diego architect Irving J. Gill (an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright’s) and is known as the “Williams House,” something we would only learn in 1999.  All that we saw that first day were the signs of extreme wear over its 70-year history.  In 2004, Sander and I bought out my Dad’s half of Hilltop House and we moved here to live with my Mother, Jeanie. 

On this site you can read about the history of Hilltop house, our restoration projects, major features of the house, and you can witness our daily trials and tribulations in our blog. 

In particular, I would like to welcome our circle of friends from my parents’ era at the house.  This house was the center of activity for many special, cool people whom I may have never met had we not lived in this special house.  I have sent out cards by mail to everyone for whom I have an address and I have asked them to post their stories about this house here on this website.  I have spread the word in our local community and I am attempting to contact previous owners and renters as well.  I know that I have missed many people in this request, so please pass on the word and share your stories here.

Much love, Amanda