Who Were Philip A. Shipley and Dudley Trudget?

It was Philip Shipley who created the unique landscaping found throughout many of the Far West communities. He was a renowned landscape architect whose client list includes such well-known names as Clark Gable, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg. 

He was born in Santa Paula, California and earned a degree in landscape architecture from UC Berkeley in 1933. He then set up his practice in Southern California, designing grounds for the wealthy and famous from San Diego to Santa Barbara.

Shipley worked for hotels including Las Vegas’ Tropicana and Los Angeles’ Sheraton Universal Studios, clubs such as Palm Springs’ Eldorado Country Club, Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, and entertainment figures including Lew Wasserman, Jules Stein, Frank Sinatra, King Vidor, Kirk and Michael Douglas, Aaron Spelling and Norton Simon. In all he did his work was recognized for its simple but unusual designs.

We hope you enjoy his inspiration and talent when you explore our communities.