James W. Lunsford The Ocean and the Sunset, The Hills and the Clouds: Looking at Santa Monica, illustrated by Alice N. Lunsford, 1983, 1921, 1920, 1907
Ocean Park
"54. The Baron's Castle, 2103 Third Street. A Moorish villa designed and erected in 1907 by Nicolas Baida, a Syrian-born art dealer. With its three stories topped off by a large dome and its elaborately landscaped grounds, it was known as "The Palace" in its early years. In 1920 and 1921 it served as a convalescent home for veterans of World War I. It was eventually acquired by Baron Michel Leone, a professional wrestler who built the new portions of the building and gave it the name Baron's Castle.
Built in 1907 by N. Baida. Photo from USC Digital Archives.