he elegant, spacious three-story Victorian known as the "Christmas House" must have been quite a sight in the early days of Cucamonga when it stood alone surrounded by 80 acres of citrus groves and grape vineyards. H. D. Cousins built the late Victorian Queen Anne style home in 1904 originally for the purpose of raising thoroughbred horses on the surrounding acreage while Mrs. Cousins devoted herself to lavishly entertaining their prominent friends. By the time the Whitson family bought the property in 1910, Cucamonga was well known as one of the largest wine producing regions in California. Like the Cousins, the Whitsons were great celebrators, and consequently the Christmas House has a long history of parties, parties whose elegance rivaled the furnishings and intricate wood carvings of the house itself. Because gala Yuletide gatherings became a tradition and also because of the red and green stained glass throughout the house, it eventually became known as the Christmas House, a name that has endured to the present day. In 1983, the present owners discovered the Christmas House and fell in love with its architectural distinction and the story of its past. After two years of extensive renovation, the Ilsleys opened the house as a bed and breakfast inn, with the intention of sharing its newly restored beauty and elegance. The house boasts all of the original stained glass and woodwork - never painted - including the grand carved redwood burl staircase. Each of the seven Victorian fireplace mantels is made of a different wood, with different colors of imported Italian tiles, and bevel glass mirrors. The acre that remained with the Christmas House is beautifully landscaped with English gardens and Victorian features.