Villa Rockledge, originally known as Mariona, was built by Frank Miller, developer of the Mission Inn in Riverside and a leading figure in promoting Mission and Mediterranean influenced architecture in Southern California. Begun in 1918, the major portion of Villa Rockledge was designed by Architect Arthur Benton who worked closely with Miller on this building in much the same way as he had on the Mission Inn; a one unit addition on the northerly wing was designed by Laguna Beach architect Thomas Harper in 1929. Like the Mission Inn, Villa Rockledge incorporated Miller's keen interest in the art and architecture of the Mediterranean countries and personified Miller's fondness for melding various Spanish influenced elements in an eclectic and dynamic manner.

Frank Miller, as the developer of the Mission Inn, became a leading regional influence in establishing a new architectural identity for Southern California rooted in the architecture of the early missions and Spanish settlers. Miller brought the same architect, crews and artistic ideas that he had used on the Mission Inn in Riverside to Laguna Beach where he built his summer home in the then growing coastal resort and art colony. He spent the years from 1918 until his death in 1935 developing and evolving Villa Rockledge in much the same way that he had done with the Mission Inn. - NRHP, 27 July 1983