Hilltop House (site)

Newton T. Bass (1903–1983) was a successful oilman and land developer who co-founded Apple Valley Ranchos Land Development Company in 1946 with Bernard "Bud" Westlund. Together, they bought up thousands of acres in the high desert and planned a community marketed as a modern, healthy lifestyle retreat.

Bass built the Apple Valley Inn in 1948 to serve as a luxurious showcase for potential land buyers. The Inn quickly gained a reputation as a celebrity destination, attracting guests like Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, and Richard Nixon. In 1965, Roy Rogers leased the Inn and added his own name to it.

In 1957, Bass constructed the Hilltop House atop Bass Hill, overlooking the Inn. Designed by Mexican architect Francisco Artigas, the house was a striking modernist estate that blended with its desert surroundings. It featured natural boulders as part of its walls, an indoor-outdoor pool with skylights, a two-person shower, and sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows. The home was filled with unique furnishings and cutting-edge mid-century design. One of its claims to fame was being featured in a 1961 episode of the television show "Perry Mason," titled "The Case of the Roving River."

In 1967, vandals set fire to the Hilltop House. Although it was rebuilt, it was used only as office space and eventually fell into disrepair. For decades, it stood as a decaying symbol of a once-grand vision.

The Town of Apple Valley acquired the site in 2016 as part of its Legacy Trail project. In 2022, after extensive evaluation and public input, the town demolished the deteriorated structure to make room for a public observation area. Plans for the new Hilltop Legacy Park include walking trails, interpretive signage, and a viewing platform honoring the original house and its builder.

Bass’s influence is still seen today through public landmarks like Newton T. Bass Stadium and the Newton T. Bass Branch Library. His vision and energy helped shape Apple Valley into a community with a distinct identity, built on high desert beauty and mid-century optimism.

The Bass Hill Hilltop House was demolished in September 2022.