Hearty Parties: Hearst and Gatsby

William Randolph Heart was a media mogul. He lived in castles all over the world and built the one you see here on 250,000 acres of land with help from architect Julia Morgan. He, like Jay Gatsby, was a fan of extravagance. He began the project in 1919 and the home had 165 rooms. "La Cuesta Encantada" was more of a small village than a castle. He had the main building shaped like a spanish church (left) and cottages built around it.




Like Gatsby, Hearst enjoyed parties. He invited dozens to visit and stay at his grounds.



I took these pictures last March when I went to San Simeon.


Info:
http://www.hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-castle/the-castle/