The Mission Inn in downtown Riverside has long been known for its grand architecture, historic charm and priceless collection of artwork gathered by founder Frank Miller during his travels around the world. This week, however, two of the hotel’s most recognizable paintings quietly disappeared from the property, alarming preservationists and longtime supporters of the landmark hotel.
On Wednesday, May 20, workers were seen removing the paintings “California Alps” and “Charge Up San Juan Hill” from inside the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Both pieces had been displayed at the hotel for generations and were originally purchased by Miller more than 100 years ago.
Witnesses watched as crews carefully lifted the paintings from the walls, wrapped them in protective plastic and carried them through the hotel lobby. “California Alps” had been displayed prominently near the reception desk and elevators, while “Charge Up San Juan Hill” hung inside the hotel steakhouse overlooking the lobby area.
The removals happened openly in front of guests, visitors and staff members, some of whom stopped to photograph the unusual scene.
The artwork reportedly has been taken into the possession of hotel owner Kelly Roberts just days before escrow is expected to close on the sale of the Mission Inn to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation tribe. Roberts’ attorney declined to comment regarding the situation.
The move quickly sparked criticism from local preservation advocates who say the paintings are deeply tied to Riverside’s history and the legacy of the Mission Inn itself.
“It feels vindictive,” Riverside City Councilmember Philip Falcone said. Falcone, who previously worked as a docent at the Mission Inn, criticized the timing of the removals. “The sale closes in a week. They have one foot out the door and at the 11th hour, they do a smash-and-grab. I just can’t fathom it.”
The Mission Inn occupies an entire downtown city block bordered by Mission Inn Avenue, Orange Street, Main Street and Sixth Street. Known for blending mission-style architecture with European-inspired design, the property has become one of Riverside’s most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions.
According to Falcone, Roberts contacted him earlier this month to discuss the hotel sale. During that conversation, he said she voiced frustration with both the city and California’s business climate, claiming the city had not adequately supported the hotel over the years.
Falcone believes the paintings’ removal feels personal and unnecessary, adding that he suspects the artwork could eventually be sold privately.
The paintings themselves carry significant historical value.
“California Alps,” painted in 1874 by artist William Keith, depicts the Sierra Nevada mountain range and measures approximately 6 feet by 10 feet. Frank Miller purchased the painting during the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, and historians believe it had remained inside the Mission Inn ever since.
The second painting, “Charge Up San Juan Hill,” was painted around 1900 by Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin. The artwork portrays Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War as they charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.
Miller acquired that painting at a San Francisco auction in 1917. Historians note the piece likely carried special meaning for him because President Roosevelt visited and stayed at the Mission Inn in 1903.
Both works are referenced in the book “Historic Mission Inn,” published by Friends of the Mission Inn. The publication describes “California Alps” as one of the hotel’s most treasured possessions. Naturalist John Muir reportedly once called the painting “the bible of the Sierras.”
The book also notes that “Charge Up San Juan Hill” had been intentionally placed inside one of the hotel’s premier dining areas to enhance the atmosphere of the room.
By Wednesday afternoon, the spaces where the paintings once hung had been reduced to empty walls marked by faded paint outlines and discoloration.
James Ranger, who has served as a Mission Inn docent for the past eight years, said he was stunned watching the paintings leave the building.
“I couldn’t believe it was happening, but it was,” Ranger said.
Ranger and others noted that several historically significant items have disappeared from the Mission Inn over the decades, particularly after ownership changes beginning in the 1950s. Former hotel owner Ben Swig reportedly auctioned off various pieces during the 1950s and 1960s, while other artifacts vanished over time.
Duane Roberts purchased the long-shuttered Mission Inn in 1992 and restored the property alongside his wife Kelly. Roberts died in November at age 88, and escrow on the sale of the hotel is expected to close May 28.
Questions also remain about the whereabouts of other well-known pieces that once decorated the property, including a small painting titled “Arch Beach,” a statue of the goddess Pomona and a Steinway piano.
Perhaps the most famous missing item is the oversized Taft chair that once sat in the hotel lobby. Built for President William Howard Taft’s visit in 1909, the chair became a popular attraction where visitors often posed for humorous photos because of its unusually large size.
Some visitors say the chair has been missing since as early as 2023, although others only recently noticed its disappearance.
During a Wednesday meeting of Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board, Old Riverside Foundation President Dave Stolte warned that the removal of historically important pieces threatens the integrity of the landmark property.
“The absence of the chair, the paintings and other priceless cultural resources diminishes the integrity of the landmark and the public’s ability to understand Frank Miller’s vision,” Stolte said.
He added that once historically significant items are removed from the property and placed into private hands, recovering them becomes increasingly difficult.
Although Falcone acknowledged Roberts likely has the legal right to remove the artwork, he said many residents view the move as disrespectful to both Frank Miller’s vision and Riverside’s cultural history.
“It feels like her flipping us off on her way out the door,” Falcone said.
