Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society - La Flecha House

The first residence in Rancho Santa Fe designed by Lilian Rice in 1923 is an example of the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style she set for the community. It is also one of the first all-electric homes in San Diego County and served as the first library. Donated to the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society by the Reitz Family in 1989, it was restored with a section of an interior adobe wall still visible under glass.

Designed in 1923 by the architect, Lilian Rice, this building was one of the first residences of her design in Rancho Santa Fe. Inspired by the ranch history of the area, her travels, and her training, Rice captured the Spanish Colonial Revival style in her work and as one of the first residences in the area, she set the example for the architectural style for the rest of the community. 

In its past, the building has served as Rancho Santa Fe's first library and it was one of the first all-electric homes in San Diego County. In 1989, the building was donated to the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society by the Reitz Family and afterwards, it was restored.

Currently, the La Flecha property serves as the headquarters of the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society where artifacts, documents, and furniture from Lilian Rice’s time period and later are displayed, interpreted, and preserved.

Reitz Family: In 1960, Bud and Marguerita Reitz bought the La Flecha property. As locals originally from La Jolla, members of the Art Jury, and collectors of antiques, the couple had a desire to preserve the historic charm of the area. While under their ownership, the couple remodeled the interior of the building for commercial use, but in line with their philosophy about preserving history, they donated their antiques and the La Flecha property to the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society in 1988. Currently, a section of the original interior adobe wall is under glass display in the La Flecha House.

United States Department of the Interior: National Park Services. National Registration of Historic Places, Multiple Property Documentation Form. Page 1.

Archives at Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society.