For Sale: A Historic Place to Call Home

Marco Forsters historic home is on the market

The current homeowners of the historic Durnford-Forster House in the Mission Hill neighborhood of San Juan Capistrano are looking to sell the property. The home was built in 1925 for Marco Forster and his family. Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

By Brian Park

For prospective homebuyers looking to grab a piece of San Juan Capistrano history, an early 20th century home, formerly occupied by one of Orange Countys most prominent families, is now on the market.

After 11 years, Christopher Zell and his partner Matthew Jacob are selling their home, the historic Durnford-Forster House, located at 31319 Andres Pico Road, in the Mission Hill neighborhood.

The 2,214-square-foot home, which is listed at $1.25 million, was built in 1928 by Fred Stroschein for Marco Forster and his young family. Marco, a former city councilman and member of the former San Juan School Board of Trustees, was the great grandson of John Don Juan Forster, one of the largest landowners in California during the 1800s and whose family owned and lived in the Mission before President Abraham Lincoln deeded it back to the Catholic Church in 1864.

I love telling that story, Zell said, that we have that connection not only to the Forster family but loosely to Abraham Lincoln.

Zell and Jacob were drawn to San Juan Capistrano by the Mission and would make the short drive down from their home in Coto de Caza on the weekends to walk through its courtyard and gardens.

It was more spiritual than religious, Zell said. Its such a special place, and it just pulled us in.

The couple first opened a salon business across from the Mission, Christopher Perry at the Mission, which was sold five years ago and is now Brush Salon.

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For Sale: A Historic Place to Call Home